Racial Justice Awards Night 2021, celebrating tireless activists and inspirational organizations!

BY PAUL JUNOR

For over thirty years, the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) has been at the forefront of fighting against racism, forms of discriminations, oppression and intolerance.

On December 15^th, it held its Racial Justice Awards Night 2021 to honour individuals and organizations who have contributed to fighting for racial and social justice in Ontario. The message from President Nigel Bariffe and Executive Director notes, “The annual Awards Night is a well-deserved celebration that sheds light on the amazing contributions of these individuals and organizations. We thank our award recipients for inspiring us with their journeys and achievements. We are so pleased to have you join us in celebrating these tireless activists and inspirational organizations.”

The sponsors of the event included the following; Diversity Institute, Ted Rogers School of Management, York Catholic Teachers and the Elementary Teacher Federation of Ontario (ETFO).

The evening event opened with remarks from Indigenous Elder, Michael R. Mitchell who gave the land acknowledgement. President Bariffe thanked the sponsors, volunteers, award recipients and organizations for their work to ensure that the event was a successful one. The performers for the evening included: Salma Hindy, Jayda Marley, Chantelle Soliel and Nirosha as well as spoken-word artist Ayoub Farah.

Receiving awards that night were:

• Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society received the Justice Award.
• Brandon Gonez, CEO/ Founder of Gonez Media Inc, online news & entertainment company received the Media Award.
• Ritika Goel, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and family physician with St. Michael’s Hospital received the Health Award.
• Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior, advocate for the protection of Nibi and Mother Earth received the Environment Award.
• Andria Babbington, President of the Toronto & York Region Labour Council received the Labour Award.
• Syrus Marcus, Vanier scholar, visual artist, activist, curator and educator received the Arts Award.
• Anthony Morgan, educator, lawyer, racial justice analyst and strategist received the Agent of Change Award.
• Trustees Nokkia Dakroub and Kathy McDonald, both of the Peel District School Board (PDSB) received the Government Award.
• Queen Victoria Black Student Success Committee (QVBS), a group of Black parents based in Parkdale received the Education Award.
• Workers Action Centre (WAC), a workers-based organization, involved in improving the lives and working condition of people in low-wage and unstable employment received the Migrant Justice Award.

Overall, the awards night was a successful event as it showcased the outstanding work that so many individuals and organizations are doing to dismantle systems of oppressions and racial injustices anti-Black racism, anti-Semitism, anti-Indigneity and anti-Islamphobia. Anyone interested in UARR can check their website at:  www.urbanalliance.ca for volunteer opportunities or programs they offered.