Toronto Restaurateur Merrick Aries Eulogized as Bringing Light into the Lives of Others

 

By Neil Armstrong

Photo contributed       Merrick Aries, the late co-owner of The Diner's Corner restaurant in Toronto, Canada

 

Popular Jamaican Canadian restaurateur and chef, Merrick Orlando Aries, was eulogized as someone who bridged differences and saw the good in others.

 

A thanksgiving service was held at the St. Andrew Parish Church in Kingston, Jamaica, on December 14 — exactly two months after he visited his homeland to attend the funeral of a relative and seven weeks after his body was found in bushes in Salt River, Clarendon on October 24. 

 

According to media reports, homicide detectives theorized that Aries — the owner of The Diner’s Corner, a Jamaican restaurant on Yonge Street in Toronto, who lived in Ajax, Ontario, and owned a home in St. Andrew — was lured to the area where he was robbed and fatally shot.

 

Born Owen Anthony Grant on January 11, 1980, to mother, Lilieth Henry, and father, Anthony Grant, at the Buff Bay Hospital in Portland, he lived in the community of Riversdale with his parents and was brother to siblings Nicole Henry, Kadian Smith, Gregory and Clement Grant, and Michelle and Marcia who were like sisters to him. He would later change his name.

 

As a student at Mount Olivet Infant and Mount Hermon All Age schools, he excelled in various subjects and had a passion for cooking which resulted in his mother enrolling him in the HEART Trust Vocational Training Centre in Above Rocks, St. Catherine. 

 

It was there that his family said he was moulded to become an exceptional chef and baker who would practise at home in the nights whatever he was taught earlier in the day at the academy. His baking of bread and sweet potato puddings was a joy of his mother and sisters who became his taste testers. Soon he was known as the community baker whose gizzadas, coconut drops, cakes and puddings were in demand, said his sister, Nicole Henry.

 

His leadership abilities were enhanced at Mt. Olivet A.M.E. Church where he was a member of the choir and president of the youth department, and in the community as a member of the Riversdale Police Youth Club.

 

With his eyes set on Kingston and expanding his horizon, Aries moved from Riversdale to the capital city where he worked in the fast-food industry and other businesses. While there, he enrolled in the University of the West Indies and subsequently left for Canada to pursue his dreams at the age of 21.

 

The beloved restaurant owner was described as bringing light into the lives of his family, of being kind and generous, and as someone who had a warm and welcoming smile and a great sense of humor. 

Photo credit: Neil Armstrong    Merrick Aries serving customer, Junior Harrison, at The Diner's Corner

 

Delivering the second part of the eulogy on behalf of Antovin Aries and Ashleh Aries, Merrick’s family in Canada, Reverend Aina-Nia Ayo’dele, who flew there from Toronto, said Merrick was a genius with his hands. “It was with his hands and his heart that he demonstrated his love for his family and friends over the 22 years that he lived in Canada. He was very giving, sociable, talented, resourceful, entrepreneurial — and meticulous, that’s when we saw how much of a perfectionist he was. He would redo things until they met his high standards.”

 

Ayo’dele said it was not surprising that at the age of 21 he migrated to Canada in the summer of 2001 in search of a better future. 

 

“That search saw him taking on various jobs to survive and thrive — he worked in retail at Walmart, Banana Republic and Eddie Bauer stores, CIBC in the credit card department, and eventually with Rogers Communications where he became a customer service agent and within a few months received a promotion. These jobs were important to him and, luckily, he had friends who supported him when he experienced hardship. But his true love was really in the culinary arts where he used his hands and heart to craft delicious Jamaican cuisines and cakes — and won over many friends and customers. You could easily feel the love coming from whatever he prepared for you to eat — the presentation of it was also important to him.”

 

When Merrick became a father to Ashleh, who is now 12, he was very proud and took her to live with him at only seven months old. He didn’t have daycare available so he structured his days that he could work from home while still associated with Rogers Communications, earn a living, and take care of her himself. Ashleh was the apple of his eye, and friends and family would often hear about her accomplishments in conversations with him. Their father-daughter relationship was strong and although he is no longer physically here, the loving and long-lasting memories of him will remain with her for years to come, Ayo’dele said. 

 

She said the day Merrick and his brother, Antovin, opened their restaurant, The Diner’s Corner, on St. Nicholas St. in Toronto in the summer of 2016 was quite an achievement, but it was also a bittersweet moment. Before acquiring the restaurant, they would entertain at home with his cooking and baking delights, baked and sold to customers, and did catering sometimes. When the opportunity arose for him to own a restaurant, he seized it. The early years were tough, but he persevered and created a niche for his culinary skills and hospitality in a place that was his. The pride of being an entrepreneur surpassed the days when the restaurant only made a couple hundred dollars. Their introduction of a Sunday Brunch and seeing how customers gravitated to it brought him so much joy.

 

“Creating your own wealth was important to Merrick and he did everything he could to ensure that he would succeed as a restauranteur.  That included the heavy lifting of cleaning floors, scrubbing walls and kitchen grills, painting, repairing, renovating, assembling furniture and artwork, building a patio at the St. Nicholas St. location, and at the present address of the restaurant, participating in the CaféTO Program which provided restaurants and bars in Toronto with the opportunity to access public space and expand their outdoor dining space through sidewalk cafés, curb lane cafés or patios on private property.

 

“With the acquisition of The Diner’s Corner food truck, they participated in many of the significant cultural events in the city — Toronto Caribbean Carnival or “Caribana” as many Torontonians and visitors still call it, Blockorama, Afrofest, Blockobana, and other festivals. Merrick understood and embraced Canada’s multiculturalism in embracing and serving his customers.

Photo credit: Neil Armstrong   Merrick Aries at the annual Blockorama in Toronto, Canada

Photo credit: Neil Armstrong      Merrick Aries stepping out of The Diner's Corner food truck at Blockorama

 

“Although he enjoyed travelling to his birthplace — Jamaica — he, equally, loved staying home and relaxing in his bedroom. Incidentally, before what would become his final visit to Jamaica in October, he repainted his room and changed his bedroom set and the carpet because, according to him, the room was too dark, and he wanted more light. He also installed a new lock on the door so that it would be just the way he left it on his return home to Ajax, Ontario. In hindsight, one wonders if this was an omen of what would befall him in Jamaica.”   

 

Ayo’dele said Merrick loved meeting people and was always willing to help them solve whatever problems they were experiencing. There were many long conversations held at the restaurant with strangers he just met. “His charming smile disarmed many — he became the point man to resolve issues. We will miss those skills. Those who were among his circle of friends knew he loved them — the love was mutual — and those who weren’t, knew exactly where they stood with him. In as much as he was a sociable person, he was a disciplinarian who ensured that rules were followed.” 

 

His family in Canada wants everyone to remember him as a very talented person who believed in creating an elegant Black-owned restaurant for fine dining downtown in the heart of Canada’s largest city, Toronto, — and on Yonge Street, the longest street in the world.

 

“Although his hands and heart are now stilled, and he will never be able to show us his love again, we will continue to love Merrick. As we bid him adieu, we say …walk good our beloved; we will always speak well of you and cherish the fond memories you left us. Walk good.”

Photo credit: Neil Armstrong   Merrick Aries assembling art for the walls of The Diner's Corner

Photo credit: Neil Armstrong    Merrick Aries checking his phone in a conversation

 

A slideshow highlighting moments of Aries’s life was shown complemented by the song, “See You Again,” by Sam Smith.

 

In his sermon, Rev. Father Bertram Gayle said Aries was dear to the hearts of all gathered in the church and those who were tuned in to the service virtually.

 

“It’s a celebration we have today of a life that for many is overshadowed by the tragic circumstance surrounding his death. And given this reality and the pain and hurt that it occasions it is natural for us to ask why, why did he have to face such a tragic end, why him, why such a young person…why would a good God allow such a thing to befall someone who had such a big heart.”

 

Reverend Gayle said there were also other whys such as, “why should we continue to give ourselves to a country that is so unsafe for everyone, why should we invest our time, our treasures and our talents in a nation that has caused us so much grief and trauma, why hold on to hope, hope for the land of wood and water.”

 

To answer those questions, he directed everyone to the words of Jesus: “To keep fighting for the good in a land that has so much evil, and may Jesus’s words help to recentre us, to reenergize us when we are overcome by grief and a deep sense of loss. And to help us see that the memory of those who are taken from us, the memories of Merrick, the memories of Owen, those memories are best served when we continue in his mission.” 

 

The reverend said the mission that Aries was involved in included “seeing the good in others, in bridging differences, in bringing a sense of joy and love to those who were around him, to forge a world fashioned by compassion, understanding and peace.”

 

In his tribute, Dennis, a friend of Aries, described him as “a culinary master who has left an indelible mark on the vibrant tapestry of Toronto’s culinary scene.” Speaking on behalf of her niece, Janet Henry Thompson, his aunt Pauline Henry said Aries was compassionate, kind, loving, resilient, and had very strong work ethics.

 

In November, Marci Ien, Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre, which includes the location of the restaurant, expressed her condolences on the loss of Aries.

 

“We are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Merrick Aries. Merrick’s warm smile and delicious food brought so much joy to our community. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the entire Diner’s Corner team during this difficult time. Merrick’s memory will live on in our hearts, and his legacy at the Diner’s Corner will be cherished.”

 

Pride Toronto said as co-owner of The Diner’s Corner, “Merrick has blessed the Blockorama stage with delicious Caribbean food for many years. Merrick will truly be missed.”

 

Friends of Aries held a community vigil at the restaurant on November 1, which included tributes, singing, dancing, drumming and the pouring of libation. Among those in attendance were MP Ien, Chris Moise, city councillor for Ward 13 – Toronto Centre, Reverend Paulette Brown, Reverend Jaqueline Daley, and Kojo Sherwin Modeste.

 

Some of his loyal customers said they always looked forward to Aries catering at their family dinners and staff events. 

Photo contributed        Merrick Aries

 

The interment was held at Thetford Park Cemetery in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, Jamaica. 

Artists Participated in Swearing-in Ceremony of New Mayor of Toronto

 By Neil Armstrong

Photo contributed    Toronto Poet Laureate Lillian Allen

When Olivia Chow was sworn in as the new mayor of Toronto in July, the lilt of Jamaican English could be heard from the lectern of Toronto City Council Chamber where two well-known Jamaican Canadian artists participated in the Declaration of Office ceremony.  

 

Chow, 66, who was born in Hong Kong and was a former member of parliament in Toronto, and a former city councillor, is the 66^th mayor of Toronto and the first racialized person to lead Canada most populous city.

 

Sandra Whiting, a speaker, storyteller and event host, presented the African Ancestral Acknowledgement and Lillian Allen, a poet, writer, arts activist and professor who was appointed as Toronto’s seventh Poet Laureate in April read a poem.

 

“We have a saying from my country of Jamaica, and as a Canadian of Jamaican heritage I want to share it with you. The saying says, ‘she likkle but she tallawah,’ and that means she strong, she is mighty, she will be powerful,” said Whiting who is a Jamaican Patois/Creole court interpreter.  At the end of her presentation, she looked at Chow and with her right hand aloft declared, “Olivia, tallawah woman,” before leaving the lectern.

 

Since 2020, Whiting has been teaching and facilitating online learning through the Institute for Change Leaders, an organization founded by Chow in 2016 that has trained more than ten thousand people.

 

Whiting has worked as a TV host, storyteller, newspaper columnist, cultural programmer, animator, event planner and entrepreneur. She was also the managing editor of Excellence Magazine for Women.

 

The former PACE Canada president conceived the Jamaica fiftieth anniversary of Independence celebrations in Canada and got the Jamaican Consulate, distinguished individuals, and many volunteers to work on the project that took two years of planning and execution.

 

Whiting has been involved in the management of many culturally diverse community programs such as Carnivallisima, Luminateau and Kuumba, an annual Black History Month programme at the Harbourfront Centre where she was the cultural arts programmer. 

Photo contributed    Storyteller Sandra Whiting

 

In April, City of Toronto staff recommended Allen to become Toronto’s seventh Poet Laureate and City Council approved the appointment at its May meeting. A selection committee in consultation with the literary community nominated her.

 

Allen — who is a leader in dub poetry, a politically charged, reggae-infused poetry of resistance and visionary futures — was named a foremother of Canadian poetry by the League of Canadian Poets. 

 

The two-time JUNO Award winner and trailblazer in spoken word and dub poetry artistically explores the aesthetics of old and new sounds with her influential reggae dub poetry and spoken word recordings. 

 

Performing her poem, “My Toronto Poetic Justice,” Allen painted an aural image of the city including artists, protests against injustice in different places and events such as International Women’s Day Parade, Caribana, Salsa on St. Clair, Scarborough Fest — “you have made our city strong, a republic of possibilities, a home to belong.”

 

The professor of creative writing at Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCADU) has been a successful cultural strategist, helping transform Toronto and Canadian cultural landscapes. 

 

“It is such an honour and a singular joy to keep bringing poetry to the people in this three-million-sided heart of a city we so love, Tkaronto, Toronto,” said Allen.

 

Toronto’s first Poet Laureate was named in 2001. An advocate for poetry, language and the arts, the position honours a Toronto poet whose work displays excellence and has written on themes relevant to Torontonians. The Laureate is an ambassador for poetry and the arts and infuses poetry into a range of official and informal city activities to attract people to the literary world. The Poet Laureate’s mandate also includes creating a legacy project that will be unique to the individual. Allen’s legacy project will be announced at a later date.

 

Allen will hold the position for three years and receive an annual honorarium of $10,000 for serving as Toronto’s literary ambassador championing local literary arts and wordsmiths.

 

Toronto’s distinguished list of Poets Laureates since 2001 includes Dennis Lee, Pier Giorgio di Cicco, Dionne Brand, George Elliott Clarke, Anne Michaels and Al Moritz (A.F. Moritz).

 

 

 

Black Community in Toronto Mourns the Loss of Two Beloved Creatives

 

By Neil Armstrong

Photo credit: #gerardphotoYYZ     Towa Beer, Founder & Marketing Director of My Mentor Said 

They died one week apart from each other which has members of Toronto’s Black community profoundly saddened that two of its dynamic creatives — marketing expert Towa Beer and acclaimed filmmaker Charles Officer — are no longer around to animate conversations and life. They are being remembered with fond memories. 

 

Beer, who created and produced several events and festivals in Canada and internationally, passed away on November 25 due to diabetes-related complications, and Officer, a prolific film director, died on December 1 after a long illness. Their families and friends will gather on Sunday, December 10, 2023, in Toronto at separate events and different times to bid them a final goodbye.

 

Born on April 28, 1971, in Zambia, Beer was a marketer, event producer and travel tv host who produced campaigns to raise a client’s profile and attract media and corporate partners while deepening ties with customers and the community, notes her LinkedIn profile.

 

Describing herself as a revolutionary’s daughter on her Tumblr page, Beer said she “grew up globally, playing in airports, learning manners and racial politics at the dining table and all the while, I’m lusting for the MTV life.”

 

She said she is the daughter of two NGO globe-trotters, mother of a daughter and mentor to many young social entrepreneurs. “I’m always going to find a way to help artists create, causes to be heard and young people to be engaged in change,” wrote Beer.

 

“Towa’s career has taken her along for a very interesting ride, from radio stations to record labels to PR, to owning her own agency to Parks Canada to the Heart & Stroke Foundation – there’s not much this voracious yet diligent woman cannot do,” notes her Tumblr profile.

 

Beer worked at EMI Music Publishing Canada – one of the world’s top record labels – which equipped her to become head of the promotions department at Flow 93.5 where she built the brand from the ground up. 

 

She eventually founded her own agency, Transl8tor Marketing Inc., which generated over $500,000 through concerts, sports events, sponsorship, marketing and public relations for non-profits and charities.

 

In 2006, she closed Transl8tor and accepted an offer to become the Head of Sponsorship at Cable & Wireless Jamaica.  In her new role, Beer designed the engagement strategy behind 2 of the largest events in the world (Reggae Sunsplash, ICC Cricket World Cup) while being responsible for sponsorship budgets over $10MM, notes her page.

 

She also joined the largest health charity in Canada, The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, where she created a new national sponsorship and sampling model for the Chinese community and introduced Ride for Heart, The Heart Truth and Big Bike to Canada’s leading corporations.

 

Beer created www.pitchyourtech.ca, GTHA's 1st Tech Conference for Diverse Youth; CULTIV8TOR: Creative Coworking spaces with Childcare; www.mymentorsaid.ca, a digital marketing agency fueled by entrepreneurs and mentors; and www.eighteentwelve.ca, a multi-media solution for Parks Canada, Canadian Geographic and The Historica Dominion Institute for every high school student in Canada. She also created and produced UrbanAIDS, HIV awareness concert with Alicia Keys and Stephen Lewis Foundation, and created and produced the inaugural NBA Steve Nash Charity Classic, raising $280,000 in one day.

 

Alain P. Arthur, co-founder, host and executive producer of Caribbean Vibrations TV. Ltd., where Beer was a tv host, said the company has lost a family member.

 

“We’ve known Towa since the inception of Caribbean Vibrations 20 years ago and within that time she became an ally, confidant, consultant, colleague and most importantly, friend,” wrote Arthur on his LinkedIn profile.

He said Beer worked alongside the company in various capacities from the Black Film and Video Network (BFVN) to Flow 93.5FM,  the Steve Nash All-Star game, and ultimately, Caribbean Vibrations for the last nine years.

“We travelled with Towa to Curacao, Barbados and Aruba. She was a producer, writer, creative soul and even stepped in to host one of our episodes. This is a devastating loss to our company as Towa was actively involved in our rebrand strategy and the future of Caribbean Vibrations TV,” said Arthur.

Arthur, who had a business meeting with Beer one day before she died, expressed his condolences to Beer’s daughter Siena, parents, two brothers, relatives, friends and colleagues. “You may not be here, but your voice will always be in our hearts and heads. Sleep well, my friend.” 

 

In her tribute posted on Facebook, Toni Anne Thomas, vice president of operations and executive in charge of production at Caribbean Vibrations TV Ltd., said Beer taught her a lot about the Toronto media industry. 

 

Alluding to Beer’s health issues, she said, “Towa was not going to let her body get in the way of her goals, aspirations and what she truly wanted to do.” Thomas described Beer’s ideas as “rapid fire” and therefore she kept “a pad of paper around to keep up with her vast knowledge.”

 

Beer was an alumna of Bishop’s University in Quebec where she graduated with a BFA, Business Administration Honours Art History, 1989-1993. She was also involved in several activities, including being the manager of Bishop’s University Pub, captain of Bishop’s University Rugby Football Club, and a player of the Province of Quebec Rugby Football Team.

 

Event planner and manager Joan Pierre wrote in a Facebook post that Beer was a hardworking innovator and creator with “the talent that surpasses many” and that her passing “will be one of the greatest losses in our community and the society as a whole.”

 

She knew Beer since 1998 and although befuddled by her death, Pierre wrote, “Rest in power my daughter, because that’s what she was to me, and I will miss that ‘Mama Joan’ coming from her voice. Gone much too soon my love, you will be missed by many who have crossed your path.”

 

Black Diamond Ball Toronto, founded by producer and choreographer, Shawn Cuffie, posted on its Instagram page that Beer was not just a publicist for the event from 2017 to 2020, but was a “cherished mentor, a beacon of wisdom, and an angel who graced our lives.”

 

“Her teachings, unwavering support, and invaluable guidance have left an indelible mark on us all. Towa’s presence will be deeply missed, but her legacy of kindness and knowledge will continue to inspire us.”

 

The post encouraged readers to support the GoFundMe set up for her funeral and for her family. 

A Celebration of Life for Towa Beer will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2023, 4:30-5:30 p.m. at AMORE, 599 College Street in Toronto.

 

Photo credit: Paul Martin © Hiprofile       Charles Officer in this photograph captured by KhaRa Martin's father, Paul Martin, and showcased in the Black Community Mixtapes episode, a series produced by OYA Media Group

 

Charles Officer was born on October 28, 1975, in Toronto, Ontario, in a Jamaican, British and Jewish household and had three sisters. His mother immigrated to New York from Jamaica and then to Toronto; his father came to Canada from London, England, in the 1960s. He was the founder of Canesugar Filmworks, established in 2008, which he describes on his LinkedIn page as a company that was “from the "bottom-up" instead of "top-down.”

 

“I like to collect old dub reggae music, images of obscure things, books and books and stories that reveal secrets of the human heart – stories of the Jewish holocaust, the dismantling of Aboriginal culture to the future of human rights movements and education systems – the ongoing social constructs that we perpetuate. I collect stories about broken hearts, love, justice and equality. But what I like to collect most, are intimate moment-to-moment experiences,” reads a quote from Officer on the website of Canesugar Filmworks.

 

Jake Yanowski, a producer and Officer’s business partner and long-time creative collaborator, described Officer in a CBC interview as a “giant of the Canadian film and television scene who will be missed both by audiences and those in the industry.”

 

As an independent filmmaker, Officer has been unearthing untold stories and throughout his career worked in various capacities as a graphic designer, art director, creative director, writer, director, producer and actor. At one stage of his life, he was also a professional hockey player.

 

 He was a director and actor, known for the 2020 feature “Akilla’s Escape,” 2017 feature documentary “Unarmed Verses,” 2009 feature “Nurse.Fighter.Boy,” 2019 feature documentary “Invisible Essence,” 2017 TV documentary “The Skin We’re In,” 2011 feature documentary “Mighty Jerome,” and 2012 TV documentary “Stone Thrower.” Officer was also the director of 4 of the 8 episodes of the CBC series, “The Porter,” a CBC/BET drama about The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, North America’s first Black-led union.  It won 12 awards at the Canadian Screen Awards earlier this year for best original music, production, costume design, best writing and best drama series.

 

An alumnus of Leaside High School, Canadian Film Centre Directors Lab, Film Directing Program, and the Neighbourhood Playhouse School of Theatre Performing & Dramatic Arts, Acting/Movement/Voice, he volunteered in creative workshops in Arts and Culture and cinematic storytelling sessions for youth for many years.

 

Officer was also one of the founders of the Black Screen Office whose mission is to help “build a screen industry free of ant-Black racism by working with industry decision makers to change practices and build systems for accountability, directly catalyzing the production of Black-led content and supporting the career advancement of Black professionals.”

 

Writer, producer, director, and co-founder of OYA Media Group, Alison Duke, says Officer was a beautiful soul who generated a lot of energy around him. “You could see that he was on a mission not just to create the best work he could, but to make sure his work helped to dispel stereotypes around the way Black people tell stories and the way we think about stories. I believe that’s why he was revered so much and why people appreciated him and were inspired by him.” 

 

Duke says his legacy will be a part of that, but also the result of the quiet mentoring he did with so many. “He was very generous with his time and mentored some of our OYA emerging filmmakers,” she said, noting that Officer was very inspirational to her and her work. “It’s just a tremendous loss, and I’m still feeling it emotionally.” 

 

The CaribbeanTales International Film Festival team described Officer as a cherished member of the Toronto film industry. 

 

“His unwavering passion for storytelling touched the lives of many and left an indelible mark on our hearts. Charles Officer's creative journey transcended filmmaking, it was about crafting compelling narratives that deeply resonated with audiences. His remarkable legacy continues to thrive through his profound cinematic contributions.”

 

In a message, the team said as a special feature at the CaribbeanTales's youth film festival in 2010, Charles shared "Nurse.Fighter.Boy." “In 2021, during our online festival, we had the privilege of previewing "Akilla’s Escape" with a special talkback session featuring Charles. His distinctive perspective enriched our festival, showcasing his exceptional talent and visionary storytelling.

 

“Today, we unite in a moment of silence to pay homage to a true cinematic star. Charles Officer, your brilliance will forever illuminate the world through your remarkable work,” said CaribbeanTales.

 

Diana Webley, Director of Festival and Events of CaribbeanTales, says Officer was a humble and wonderful visionary that she had the pleasure to know for over a decade. 

 

She noted that during the festival in 2021, Andria Case of CTV News interviewed Officer at the launch of CaribbeanTales’s “Sweet 16th Year Behind The Lens: Fighting the Odds in Canadian Film” about “Akilla's Escape” — the event was a co-presentation with the Jamaican Canadian Association. “Such a brilliant mind gone too soon,” she said.

 

“It is during this interview that Charles’s legacy is revealed once again. Charles opens up about many things and what his hopes and aspirations are, but one part, in particular, still sits with me and motivates me to keep pressing on in this industry where we can tell our authentic stories and where we do not need permission to be ourselves. Charles says: "We're building houses for our stories to live in, these old structures that last the test of time that house things. Each step, each story, each day is just trying to build that space where those stories can live and I'm trying to contribute to that",” said Webley.

 

The Reelworld Screen Institute wrote a tribute to the filmmaker on its Facebook page describing him as “an incredible talent and mentor to many who left a legacy that will endure for generations.” It noted that he was the recipient of the 2002 Reelworld Trailblazer Award and described him as a talented creative.

 

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) said it mourns “the loss of a significant Canadian talent, a beloved member of the film community and a friend.”

 

“His impactful work in film and storytelling touched many hearts and we were honored to present many of his films and welcomed him in 2023 for our 1^st edition of TBFF,” wrote the Toronto Black Film Festival on its Facebook page. 

 

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival said Officer championed the voices of heroes big and small and shared their stories with the world.

 

“We were honoured to have screened his films MIGHTY JEROME and UNARMED VERSES at our festival — they are a testament to his talent, vision and dedication to compelling and uplifting stories,” wrote Hot Docs on its Facebook page.

 

Officer leaves behind a 2-year-old son, Selah, with his partner, actor Alice Snaden.

 

A funeral service for Charles Officer will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Benjamin’s Park Memorial Chapel, 2401 Steeles Avenue West in North York, Ontario. A Celebration of Life will be held in early 2024.

Leadership Program Empowers Black, Indigenous and Racialized Women

Photo contributed      Aina-Nia Ayo'dele, CEO of Aina-Nia Learning Journey Inc.

Sacred Leader Training (SLT+), a leadership program that has empowered Black, Indigenous and racialized women, is about to enter its fourteenth year in January 2024 and is inviting enterprising women to come along on the journey. 

 

This unique experience for women, who are leading in various aspects of their lives, invites those ready for a radical shift in life transformation to learn and grow with like-minded women leaders in a flourishing sacred community. “The process is like the meeting of yourself,” says City of Toronto Business Services Manager, Tobie Mathew. “All of the sisters [in SLT+] tell you who you are.” 

    

“I had a very clear understanding that I needed an African-centred leadership process at the time,” says artist and curator, Chiedza Pasipanodya, who had questions about their identity and needed the support found in the program created by Aina-Nia Ayo’dele, a transformative leader. 

 

The process is intentional about ensuring women become clear on their life visions and live fully into their purpose. The curriculum is grounded in indigenous African wisdom practices, contemporary leadership and universal spiritual principles. 

 

The women who engage in the Sacred Leader Training process are usually Black, Indigenous and racialized women in mid-management to senior leadership who are leading organizations, boards, and often their own businesses.  

 

For social worker and assistant professor, Verlia Stephens, SLT+ helped her to challenge the imposter syndrome that she experienced in her work life. “This process made me confront... making myself really small and why I am doing that,” said Stephens who is among the 50 women who have completed the program. 

 

Those selected in the process, must be willing to commit to do the work that cultivates self-joy; be ready to journey alongside Ayo’dele’s tutelage and support to release shame, guilt, imbalance, overwhelm and self-sacrifice; and be able to take responsibility to cultivate a life on purpose. 

 

To achieve this, they will explore topics such as life vision manifestation, balance and boundaries, self-acceptance, forgiveness, restoration and preservation, ancient healing rituals, spiritual activism, African spiritual feminism and sexual power, and dream interpretation. 

 

Ayo’dele, a leadership coach, author, ancient wisdom teacher and spiritual liberation activist, is the CEO of Aina-Nia Learning Journey Inc. on a mission to influence institutions and individuals to create bold and meaningful change through a decolonized approach to leadership as a path to equity, inclusion, reparation, and reconciliation and most importantly, self-love.  

 

SLT+2024 starts on January 14, and in-person group learning circles will be held bi-weekly during the ten months. The training includes a mid-way overnight retreat in Ontario, Canada and an international culmination retreat for five days on a land where indigenous African ways are still practiced. 

 

By the end of the process, leaders will learn to release the things that are blocking or hindering them from living purposefully and taken the radical steps to advance. Certified Sacred Leaders will have manifested their primary purpose of being on this planet at this time, along with the mastery of balance, boundaries and self-love.  

 

Women who are called to embark on this journey have until December 23, 2023, to submit applications to aina-nia.com/slt-2024 and, while there they can book a conversation for consideration.  

Endowment of the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora Achieved

By Neil Armstrong

Left to right: Robert Savage, Dean of the Faculty of Education; Carl James, holder of the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora; Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities; Jean Augustine in whose name the Chair is named; Arielle Kayabaga, Chair of the Liberal Black Caucus; Kamala-Jean Gopie, educator and philanthropist; Rhonda Benton, President and Vice-Chancellor; and Paul Axelrod, former Dean of the Faculty of Education

The federal government has donated $1.5M to the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora thus making the full cost of endowment of the position possible at York University in Toronto.

 

Describing the announcement as a celebration of the work, vision and legacy of Dr. Jean Augustine, Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor of the university, said it was also a celebration of the Jean Augustine Chair.

 

Dr. Carl James, holder of the Jean Augustine Chair, is a professor in the Faculty of Education but he also holds cross appointments in the graduate programs in sociology, social and political thought, and social work. 

 

“He is advancing the vision of the Jean Augustine Chair in very exciting new directions and his research is driving positive change for Black youth in Canada,” said Lenton who also introduced Dr. Augustine describing her as a tireless advocate of social justice.

 

She noted that Augustine was an elementary school principal before entering federal politics, and in 1993, became the first Black woman elected to the parliament of Canada and was the first Black woman to serve as federal minister. Dr. Augustine was exceptionally instrumental in establishing Black History Month in Canada in 1995 and has received many awards and accolades for her leadership. She was honoured with the naming of the Jean Augustine Secondary School in Brampton.

 

Lenton noted that the trailblazer’s Order of Canada citation reads: “For her distinguished career as an educator, politician and advocate for social justice in Canada.”

 

She said since its launch in 2008, the Jean Augustine Chair has been “an incredibly important part of the York community with its unique focus and dedication to advancing scholarly research, programs, partnerships, and new opportunities for Black communities in Toronto and beyond.” 

 

The vice-chancellor said she could recall when they were doing important consultations with Black students and Black faculty on the campus asking for input about what would make a really important significant difference — one of the common recommendations was the need for a Chair which would not only be symbolic but would be driving the initiatives and bringing together post-docs, graduate students and other faculty members. 

 

“Contributing to that Chair, Dr. Augustine has helped us raise over $1.8M in community donations towards the endowment of the Chair,” she said.

 

Meanwhile, Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, said Dr. Augustine has touched the lives of many Canadians and she is grateful for her remarkable legacy.

“To help ensure that your legacy continues to shine brightly for years to come,” said Khera, “I am so proud to announce that our government will contribute $1.5M towards the endowment of the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora.”

 

She noted that the Chair is supporting the next generation of Black leaders and changemakers. “It is helping to address the barriers that keep Black youth from advancing in education and, of course, it is about building on the social justice work that Dr. Augustine has been doing for years to build a more inclusive and equitable Canada.”

 

The minister said the fund will support research, educational programs for advancing community partnerships that are culturally responsive and relevant to the educational social needs and aspirations of Black and other racialized community members inside and outside, and throughout Canada of this university. 

 

Khera said everyone knows that racism continues to be an unacceptable daily reality for far too many Canadians, and in particular, Black Canadians. “Too many of our neighbours, friends and family members endure the harmful and disruptive effects of racism. You know I always say that in Canada diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice, and it’s a choice that I think all of us need to make every single day.”

 

She said since 2015 the federal government has taken several measures to combat racism and to empower vibrant Black communities in Canada. These include: $85M to develop and launch a new Canadian Anti-Racism Strategy and the first National Action Plan on Combatting Hate; over $200M to establish the first-ever Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund which is on top of the $65M to create Canada’s first Black Entrepreneurship Program.

 

“Over the next two years, we’re also providing over $50M for supporting the Black Canadian Communities Initiative. This will empower Black-led and Black-serving community organizations to promote inclusiveness.”

 

Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West and Chair of the Liberal Black Caucus, said the $1.5M donation will have a significant impact on the community. “The importance of investing in education for Black students cannot be overstated so by doing so we are empowering young minds to reach their full potential,” she said, noting that it will lead to a brighter future for all children in the country not just for the Black community.

Dr. Carl James, holder of the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora at York University

 

Since 2016, Dr. Carl James has held the position of the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora and the impact of his work in advancing the vision of the Chair is highly visible, said Robert Savage, Dean of the Faculty of Education, who also noted that Dr. James is the senior advisor on equity and representation at York University.

 

Dr. James referenced the Second Annual Youth Participatory Action Research Conference held recently at the university by the Centre of Excellence for Black Students Achievement in partnership with the Toronto District School Board and the Jean Augustine Chair.

 

Nearly 200 high school students plus parents, parents, administrators and trustees from the TDSB as well as members of other school boards attended the one-day session. 

 

“In all, about 300 people, including observers from Edmonton, Alberta, spent the day hearing from students about the research the students had conducted and in which they examined the experiences of immigrant students, community and health barriers to education, and the underrepresentation of Black students in STEM and other specialized programs.”

 

Dr. James said he referenced the work of the students to underscore the significance of this contribution from the Canadian government to the Jean Augustine Chair in ensuring the future of the Chair and its programs and what would happen to these students. “And, of course, it is valuable endorsement to the foresight and aspirations of Dr. Hon. Jean Augustine who chose York as the best institution for the Chair.”

 

“Furthermore, this contribution builds on the contributions from York University with the leadership of President Lenton, Dean Savage, and I have to remember Dean Paul Axelrod who was the dean of education when the Chair was established.”

 

Dr. James said the experience that the high school students had from being on the university campus at the conference will help them to meaningfully think of and imagine themselves at university pursuing postsecondary education and not drop out or not go on to graduate studies as research has shown.

 

He highlighted some of the research programs of the Chair including one funded by RBC called “Securing Black Futures” which is being carried out with colleagues from six other universities. At the University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa and Toronto Metropolitan University they are working with high school students to sustain their educational ambition. Meanwhile at McMaster University and University of Calgary the focus is on nurturing the STEM interest of Black students.

 

“So, working with faculty members, graduate students, undergraduate students, post-docs and other team members we are able to do research and we hope to produce reports and publications that will provide valuable insights that will inform further work and contribute to the brighter future of Black students, and of course not only to the Black community that’s going to be benefitting but Canada as a whole.”

 

Dr. James said the work of the Chair is supported by faculty associates and a community advisory committee that meet and discuss what is taking place and inform and educate the Chair about where the work should be going.

 

On November 20, the Chair will host 20 Black high school students from Halifax, Nova Scotia, giving them a “York University postsecondary education experience” which will be like one held in 2022 for students from Halifax. 

Dr. Jean Augustine addressing the audience inside the Kaneff Tower at York University where the federal government announced a donation of $1.5M towards the endowment of the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora

 

Augustine said Dean Axelrod believed in her dream when she was talking about the establishment of the Chair. She acknowledged all the friends and supporters from the community who were present at the announcement and singled out educator and philanthropist Kamala-Jean Gopie who among a small group of friends attended meetings with her years ago at the university to “buttress my backbone so that I could do the fight.”

 

“We kept coming to have conversations with the university to ensure that we talk about diversity, about multiculturalism, about the nature of the society that would include all our young people. And I was always a believer from my time in education that you have to do the educating,” said Augustine who said she has a young women’s centre for empowerment which works with girls from the age of 7 to build their self-confidence.

 

Augustine said from 2008, her life has been around securing the $3M required for the endowment of the Chair, and she sought donations and held various events to raise $1.8M.

 

She urged Minister Khera to not spend a lot of time on the issue of diversity because Canada is a diverse society. “We need to spend time on inclusivity, that’s where our energy has to go, inclusive.”

 

Dean Savage said the federal government’s support will allow for the future sustainability of the Chair.