| Afroglobal Television is delighted to announce Royal Canadian Navy Commander Paul Smith and Award-Winning Actress Linda Osifo as the Masters of Ceremonies for the prestigious 2023 Afroglobal Excellence Awards, scheduled for October 21st at Toronto’s upscale Meridian Arts Centre. They take over from the MC mic from Hon. Greg Fergus, who now holds the historic position of Speaker of the parliament of Canada.
Commander Paul Smith officially took control of Her Majesty Canadian Ship (HMCS) York in 2010, becoming its first Black commander. After commanding the Kingston and Summerside, Smith was appointed Task Force Commander for Neptune Trident 17-1. HMCS Summerside and Moncton were deployed to West Africa in February 2017 to conduct strategic engagements, support capacity building and build relationships with partners throughout the region. Smith hosted Prime Minister Stephen Harper on board for his annual tour of Canada’s Arctic
Linda Osifo is a Nigerian Canadian film and television actress. She has been featured in major films and series currently on Netfilix and other platforms, including Merry Men, Fifty and Naija Christmas. In 2015, she was nominated for the ELOY award for her role in the hit TV series, Desperate Housewives Africa. Featured in the popular soap opera Tinsel as Nina Fire, she is the Co-Host of the “Give ‘n’ Take National Jackpot” game show, alongside veteran Nigerian star Segun Arinze.
The prestigious Excellence Awards gala, presented by the 24-hour Afroglobal Television channel, is set for Saturday, October 21st, 2023. This year’s glitzy red carpet affair will feature recipients and dignitaries from around the world. Representatives of all three levels of government, community and corporate leaders will be in attendance. It will be broadcast on Afroglobal Television as well as OMNI Television, courtesy of Rogers Media, with programming online, including www.AfroglobalTelevision.com.
Since 2004, the awards gala has honoured esteemed achievers and brought together people of African descent and others of goodwill, to celebrate inspiring success stories, including Dr. Bernice King, CEO of The King Centre in Atlanta, USA and daughter of Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; The Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine, former cabinet minister and MP; legendary South African singer, Yvonne Chaka Chaka; and The Right Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, first female prime minister of Jamaica.
Past recipients of the awards also include Kevin Williams, President and Managing Director of General Motors Canada; Professor Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate; Hon. Jean Augustine, Former Minister and Fairness Commissioner; Douglas Orane, Chairman of Grace Foods; Daniel Igali, Olympic Gold Medalist and Isaiah Washington, Hollywood Star. The event has also recognised African movie starts including Majid Michel, RMD, Jim Iyke, Desmond Elliott, Ramsey Nouah and Jackie Appiah, among others.
Sponsors include Royal Bank of Canada, George Brown College, TD Bank, York Regional Police, Ethiopian Airlines, Afrocan Foods, Western University, EY, The Transformation institute For Leadership & Innovation and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
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THE 2023
EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENTS
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| MARTIN LUTHER KING
LEGACY AWARD
MARK BECKLES
Vice President
Social Impact & Innovation
Royal Bank of Canada |
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| Mark Beckles is the Vice President of Social Impact & Innovation at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). His responsibility for RBC’s Community Investment Programs includes RBC Future Launch, RBC Tech for Nature and RBC Emerging Artists. Through RBC Future Launch, the bank has invested over $390M to impact over 5.5M youth, working with over 500 charitable organisations. He is the National Co-Chair of RBC Mosaic, an Employee Resource Group focused on advancing diversity and inclusion at RBC. He had served as Head of RBC Insurance Advice Centre and as Regional Vice President, Retail Banking.
Beckles sits on the Board of William Osler Health System and Metro Toronto Convention Centre. His accolades include the City of Toronto Bob Marley Award, Harry Jerome Awards, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. In 2016, Mark was named as an RBC Global Citizen, and in 2022 as one of the Most Influential Black Canadians by Afroglobal Television. He holds an MBA from the University of Bradford, UK; had executive studies at the Richard Ivey School of Business, and holds the Institute of Corporate Directors designation (ICD.D) from Rotman School of Business. |
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| MEDIA AWARD
CLEMENT VIRGO
Film and Television Writer
Producer and Director |
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| Clement Virgo is one of Canada’s foremost directors. His television directing credits include Empire (Fox), The Wire (HBO), The Madness (Netflix), on which he is also an executive producer, and Greenleaf (OWN), where alongside Oprah Winfrey, he was an Executive Producer as well. Virgo wrote and directed the feature film Brother, based on the award-winning novel by David Chariandy, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022. The film won 12 Canadian Screen Awards, including Achievement in Direction and Best Motion Picture, as well as the WGC Award for Best Feature Film.
In 2015, Virgo directed and co-wrote The Book of Negroes, which debuted to record-breaking numbers on CBC in Canada and BET in the USA. It was nominated for two U.S. Critics Choice Awards, including Best Limited Series and four 2015 NAACP Image Award Nominations, including Best Miniseries and Best Writing. His first feature film, RUDE, premiered at Cannes in 1995 and played at Sundance. His films Poor Boy’s Game, and Lie With Me played at top tier festivals including Berlinale and TIFF, selling in over 40 countries. Virgo also sits on the Canadian Film Centre’s Board of Directors. |
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| GLOBAL IMPACT AWARD
RAHEL ASSEFA
Vice President of Marketing
Ethiopian Airlines |
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| Rahel Assefa is the Vice President of Marketing at Ethiopian Airlines worldwide. Her extraordinary leadership in marketing has played a pivotal role in driving the airline’s highly celebrated success. Ethiopian Airlines is the fastest-growing global airline brand and the largest on the African continent. It has been named Best Airline in Africa by Skytrax for an impressive six times, and boasts a vast network of 131 international passenger and cargo destinations, solidifying its status as a notable global aviation leader.
Assefa’s journey with the airline includes roles in sales, commercial planning, and revenue management. She joined Ethiopian Airlines as a college trainee in 1988, following graduation in Management & Public Administration from Addis Ababa University. She was named one of the World’s 30 Most Compelling Women in Travel by Premier Travel Magazine, USA. She is a trailblazer and role model, who inspires women and girls worldwide. |
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| LEADERSHIP AWARD
GINELLE SKERRITT
Chief Executive Officer
York Region Children’s Aid Society |
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| Ginelle Skerritt is the Chief Executive Officer of York Region Children’s Aid Society. She has over 30 years of distinguished leadership experience in the non-profit sector. Her previous roles include Regional Director of UNICEF Ontario. Skerritt’s leadership roles at The Neighbourhood Group, Warden Woods, United Way of Greater Toronto, and Tropicana Community Services, have been remarkable. She prioritizes equity and community engagement to create a supportive environment, especially for the success of children.
Skerritt has served on several boards and committees, including United Way/BMO Inclusive Economic Leadership Table, Toronto District School Board Equity Planning Task Force, CAMH Constituency Council, Black Health Coalition, Toronto Black Food Sovereignty Initiative and more. Co-owner of Adinkra Farm, Skerritt is also a published author on traditional savings and credit associations. She receives the prestigious 2023 Leadership Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program |
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| NELSON MANDELA
HUMANITARIAN AWARD
SURJIT BABRA
Chairman, Skylink Group
Founder, Skylink Charity |
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| Surjit Babra has partnered and built SkyLink Aviation, SkyLink Travel Group, and SkyLink Express, a Canadian domestic cargo aviation company with 22 aircraft, as well as Highbury Canco, a food manufacturing enterprise. Highbury Canco acquired the Heinz Leamington plant in Ontario, saving 250 jobs and employing over 550 today. A serial entrepreneur and philanthropist, his businesses have included master franchise rights for Dollar Rent-A-Car, airport security, and software development. His Skylink Charity supports children and other causes worldwide. He is on the Advisory Board of the Transformation Institute.
Babra’s charity has supported Right to Play, Trillium Hospital, Sick Kids Hospital, the Crossover Mentorship Program for youth, schools, Drip Irrigation Farming in India, the Uganda COVID-19 Oxygen Relief, and ambulance programs. In 2019, he donated 230,500 cans of beans weighing 271,000 lbs in London, Waterloo, Burlington, Hamilton and Toronto. He received the Mother Teresa Humanitarian Award, B’nai Brith Award, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Transformation Institute’s Enterprise Award, the World Travel Mart Award, UK and more. He receives the prestigious 2023 Nelson Mandela Humanitarian Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program. |
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ENTERPRISE AWARD
TOYIN CRANDELL
Founder, Money Mindset Shift
& Host, Millionaire Money Podcast
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| Toyin Crandell is the founder of Money Mindset Shift and host of the Millionaire Money Podcast. With a robust portfolio of clients, Toyin has contributed to scaling client revenues by millions of dollars. From being gravely in debt to having eleven streams of income, multiple real estate properties and running a multimillion-dollar organization in the span of four years, her remarkable journey demonstrates what is possible when your mind gets in line with your financial goals. She is a millennial success story, inspiring children, youth and adults alike.
Crandell has been on over 73 media platforms to share the power of the human brain in creating behaviour that increases high-performance, accelerating revenue and profits. A best-selling author, Crandell is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and coach. She has worked with entrepreneurs, executives, marketing and sales teams to optimize sales and growth. Named one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch In Canada, she has ran as a Progressive Conservative candidate for Member of Parliament. She receives the prestigious 2023 Enterprise Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program. |
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RENAISSANCE AWARD
LOUIS-EDGAR JEAN-FRANÇOIS
Co-Founder, Groupe 3737
Co-Founder & Chairman, FACE
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| Louis-Edgar Jean-François, CPA, CA, PDG, is the architect and strategist behind the implementation of the vision of Groupe 3737, whose impact has grown exponentially under his leadership. Based in Montreal, Quebec, it is a non-profit organization offering support, mentoring and tools to entrepreneurs. It now has 12 offices across Canada. G3737 has supported more than 2,200 entrepreneurs, helped create more than 1,300 jobs, contributed to the development of more than 114 companies, and participated in the collective generation of more than 200 million dollars by the supported companies.
G3737 secured federal investments to support Black communities in Quebec, with a fund that stands at $200M. Jean-François contributed to Canada’s provision of $272 million for Black entrepreneurs across Canada. He is the Chairman and Co-Founder of the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE) Coalition, which manages the Black entrepreneurship loan fund. With previous experience at Deloitte, Bombardier, and RDS, he established accounting, legal and other service firms. He receives the prestigious 2023 Renaissance Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program. |
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| PROFESSIONAL
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
FAE A. ELLINGTON
Communications Consultant
& Media Personality |
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| Ms. Fae Ellington is a communications consultant, media personality and lecturer, best known for hosting Morning Time on JBC, Jamaica. She is a trainer, voice artist and coach. Ellington holds a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the University of the West Indies, Mona. Ellington taught in the Journalism programme at the Caribbean School of Media and Communication for thirty-three years. She is the chair of the National Integrity Action and as a member of the Access to Information Appeal Tribunal.
Ellington was a dialect and voice coach for the Bob Marley film, ‘One Love’. Her recognitions include an Honorary Doctor of Liberal Arts (Honoris Causa) Northern Caribbean University; National Honour of Jamaica as Officer of the Order of Distinction, Commander Class; a Musgrave Medal; Outstanding Contribution to Media and Communication Award in 2019 from the University of the West Indies; Culture Icon by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information. She is a sought-after Master of Ceremonies, Host and Orator. She receives the prestigious 2023 Professional Achievement Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program. |
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SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY AWARD
TAMARA SEALES
President, Seaford Pharmaceuticals |
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| Tamara Seales is the President of Seaford Pharmaceuticals. Her unwavering commitment to Seaford spans more than two decades. She earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from York University and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business. She supports Seaford Pharmaceuticals’ charitable initiatives, including the establishment of a pediatric clinic in Jamaica and substantial contributions to disaster relief efforts. Under her stewardship, Seaford Pharmaceuticals has flourished with and an expanded global footprint through partnerships.
Seales has championed initiatives aimed at uplifting the Black community within the pharmaceutical sector, collaborating with organizations such as the Black Opportunity Fund, Black North Initiative, Black Physicians of Canada, and Advancing Black Talent in Pharma. She is also actively engaged in fundraising activities dedicated to women’s health, cancer research, and brain health. Tamara’s father, Ron Seales, a Grenadian native, founded Seaford Pharmaceuticals in 1991, enabling his daughter to pursue a career advancing science and technology in Canada. |
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| MARCUS GARVEY AWARD
JOSEPH BODUN MACAULAY
Financial Services Consultant
& Community Advocate |
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| A financial services consultant who retired from Royal Bank of Canada, Joseph Bodun Macaulay has dedicated much of his life to advocate for children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). In 1997, he volunteered at Camp Jumoke. Passion made him become Fundraising Director in 1998, and in 2002, President, serving for about a decade. He also served as President of the Eglinton Sickle Cell Alliance. In 2006, Macaulay played a key role in lobbying the Ontario government for universal new born screening for SCD. This led to passage of Bill 165 at the Ontario legislature, championed by MPP Mike Colle.
Macaulay and others established the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada. He was the first board chair from 2012 to 2015. Beyond SCD advocacy, he has been a devoted pastoral care volunteer at Castleview Wychwood Towers, a home for the aged, for over 40 years. His selflessness has earned him many awards. Macaulay holds a BSc from the University of Toronto and a Computer Application Technology degree from Ryerson University in Toronto. |
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| COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT AWARD
KEMI JACOBS
Executive Director
Delta Family Resource Centre |
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| Kemi Jacobs became the Executive Director of Delta Family Resource Centre in 2014. With seven satellite locations, DFRC is a grassroot, non-profit, community-based agency, enhancing the potential of families and children. She has served as the President of the Canadian Council for Refugees, Executive Director of CultureLink Settlement Services, Chair of the National Anti-Racism Council, Director of Housing at Toronto Community Housing, and Chair of the Board at Canadian African Social Services.
With over 20 years of community service, Kemi is a distinguished leader in the NGO and public sectors. She has served Rites of Passage, human trafficking, self-hate and self-love causes in the African Canadian community. Jacobs has created safe spaces for marginalized people, especially youth, to explore new ideas, connect with others, and reach their full potential. She receives the prestigious 2023 Community Development Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program. |
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| VISIONARY AWARD
IVAN DAWNS
Business Representative
International Union Of
Painters & Allied Trades |
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| Ivan Dawns is Canada’s first Black Business Representative for the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades (IUPAT), and serves as it Political Director. He sits on the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) Board, and on the Local’s Apprentice and the Central Ontario Building Trades committees. He is the Co-Chair of the Black Community Organizing for Real Economics (Black CORE). He organized painting the Jamaican Canadian Centre, a painting project in Little Jamaica, and school construction in Jamaica. He hosts an annual Christmas turkey dinner at the Back Door Mission Homeless Shelter.
For his 50th birthday, Dawns organized a charity BBQ and food drive, donating nearly 800 pounds of food and thousands of dollars to 360 Kids and Back Door Mission. Dawns spearheaded a $75,000 walkathon for prostate cancer awareness, and scholarships with the Walnut Foundation. In response to racial incidents of nooses on construction sites, he initiated anti-discrimination policies in his union. His accolades include the Jamaican Canadian Community Award, Dr. Anderson Abbot Award, and a construction union leadership recognition by TCBN. |
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| RISING STAR AWARD
MICHELLE “TÖME” AKANBI
Award-Winning Singer,
Songwriter and Actor |
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| Michelle Akanbi, professionally known as TÖME, is a recording and performing artist. She is an award-winning singer, songwriter, actor as well as a creative and marketing director. In 2021, she received a Juno Award for reggae recording of the year. She has toured with Mr. Eazi, shared the stage with Afrobeats heavyweights like Wizkid and Burna Boy. The Nigerian and French Canadian’s debut project, One With Self, a 5-track self-recorded acoustic EP was released on Soundcloud in 2015. While working as a marketing executive, she released her first official tape, Tomesroom: Chapter 1.
On May 24, 2020, TÖME released her sophomore album, Bigger Than 4 Walls (BT4W), a 10-track project that got over 2 million streams in 2 weeks. Driven by her art, TÖME’s vision transcends music. Her mantra I am enough, I am TOME, is her empowering creed, which led her to partner with mental and environmental NGO, Medic NG, to support families affected by COVID-19 in West Africa. Despite the loss of her father, manager, and mentor in January 2023, she honours his legacy with her music, to impact the world. |
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| HERITAGE AWARD
RONNIE MAYANJA
Founder, Uganda Diaspora Network
& The Uganda Canada Convention |
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| Ronnie Mayanja is the founder of the Ugandan Diaspora Network, a networking forum celebrating Uganda’s success stories abroad. Now in its 12th year, the organisation holds an annual Diaspora Homecoming Social Networking Gala and Business Breakfast at Kampala. In the USA, he founded and hosts the New England Business Expo and Independence Festival in Boston, while in Canada, he has been host to the Uganda Canada Convention, which has featured the Vice President of Uganda, Edward Ssekandi in Toronto.
Mayanja is the founder of the Ugandan Diaspora News Portal, accessed in more than 100 countries. A board member of Boston Africa Festival, he has also served board of Uganda North American Association (UNAA). He was a Radio and Television host and consultant. He helped in raising funds for the Uganda Oxygen Relief Project of the Transformation Institute during Covid-19. Mayanja interned at the CNN International Desk. He holds a Master’s degree from Boston University and a Bachelors degree from Makerere University. He receives the prestigious 2023 Heritage Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program. |
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| ENTERTAINMENT AWARD
ISIORO TOKUNBO JABORO
Producer, Writer and Director
Founder, Toronto International
Nollywood Film Festival |
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| Isioro Tokunbo Jaboro (TJ) is the Founder & Executive Director of the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF). He graduated from the Toronto Film School in 2007. He also founded the International Black & Diversity Film Festival, and the Black Actors & Film Guild of Canada. His festivals have been supported by Telefilm, Ontario Creates, Canadian Heritage and the Canada Media Fund. He has been commissioned to produce a documentary series with 15 short films for the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada, supported by CBC Gem and Netflix. He is the CEO of True-Sail Production & Motion Pictures Inc. as well as True Sail Distribution.
Jaboro produced the film, Molly’s Love Story. His movie, Saving Dreams won the Accolade Global Film Competition in 2018, Chandler Film Festival, American Golden Pictures Film Festival, and Cinema World Fest Awards. Believe In You was nominated for the Flickers’ Rhode Island Film Festival in 2019, the European Cinematography Awards, and the 13th Africa Movie Academy Awards. It got 12 Nominations and Won Best Cinematography at the 2018 Nollywood Africa Film Critics Awards, USA in 2017. Jaboro is the co-producer of Omobella Palace, an Afroglobal and Silvertrust Media drama series. He receives the prestigious 2023 Entertainment Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program. |
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| LIFETIME
ACHIEVEMENT
AWARD
DR. WINSTON LAROSE
Dedicated, Community Advocate
Founder, Jane-Finch Concerned
Citizens Organization
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| Dr. Winston LaRose served as Executive Director of the Jane-Finch Concerned Citizens Organization for 20 years, addressing issues from police brutality to job training for youth. A passionate community advocate, he supported entrepreneurs, educational reform, and the Africentric Alternative School. He led 20 community initiatives and recorded the experiences of Black individuals worldwide, amassing 5,000 hours of video footage. The award-winning CBC documentary “Mr. Jane and Finch” captures his 2018 city council campaign, spreading messages of hope and neighbourhood strength.
A champion of the Black community, LaRose received a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from the University of Toronto in June 2023. He worked as a Registered Nurse for forty years, primarily as a mental health counsellor. He operated Fairview Counselling in Burlington. His accolades include the Harry Jerome Award for Community Service, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Bob Marley Lifetime Achievement Award. |
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