Artist Quentin VerCetty Gives Lincoln Alexander Bust He Created a Nickname

 

By Neil Armstrong

Photo credit: Taylor Carr        Afrofuturist artist Quentin VerCetty

 

Afrofuturist artist Quentin VerCetty who sculpted the Lincoln Alexander Commemorative Bust now permanently installed at Queen’s Park says the nickname he gave it is — “The Linc Bust: Suited for Greatness” — because the former air force corporal, lawyer, politician, vice-regent and icon inspired him.

This marks the first instance of any likeness honouring a Black Canadian political figure to be displayed in any parliamentary setting in Canada. 

VerCetty says he got the name from a quote of the first Black Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, first Black Member of Parliament and first Black Cabinet Minister.

 

“A student asked him while he was chancellor of the University of Guelph in his 80s what keeps you going, you seemed to have done it all. And he said, ‘Every day I wake up and I suit up to be greater than I’d ever been before.’ I hope that any person who sees the statue also can see how they can be greater than they’ve ever been before and aspire to be great and make improvements in their life.”

 

The multidisciplinary artist said he was humbled and in awe to know that Alexander up until his last day was still working so, as an artist, it reminded him that, in Jamaican Patois, “di work cyaan done.”

 

VerCetty says he was asked by the LINC Bust Committee to submit a proposal for creating the sculpture, which he did, and they liked it, but he thinks he got the nod of approval because of his links to the former Ontario viceregal. He attended the Lincoln M. Alexander Secondary School in Malton, Mississauga, and met the former Black icon there while a student. VerCetty’s life partner, award-winning choreographer Esie Mensah, attended karate classes in Hamilton with Alexander’s late son, Keith, and granddaughters, Erika and Marissa. 

 

His parents are Jamaicans, and the artist feels that he is following in the footsteps of his ancestors as his great grandfather from Clarendon was a blacksmith who made art pieces out of car and bicycle parts. 

 

“I also felt like I was making not only my ancestors proud but Jamaica proud by bigging up one of their own. And then me being one of their own as well just shining in a bright light,” says the sculptor about creating the Linc bust. VerCetty said he is inspired and mentored by another great Jamaican sculptor, Basil Watson.

 

Reflecting on his personal journey, he said a month after meeting Alexander, he was kicked out of school for not making the best choices and sometimes people count themselves out.

 

One day he was skipping class and Alexander, who was visiting that day to address the assembly, walked into the building and spoke to him. VerCetty had no idea who he was and that the school was named after a Black man.

 

“The gentleman walked straight up to me and says, ‘Young man, I can see you doing great things. I hope you come to the assembly.’ And I had no clue who he was, and I didn’t go to the assembly. 

 

“I spent a lot of time wondering how different my life would have turned, how much heartache I would have saved my parents and myself, if I did end up going to the assembly and made better decisions. But my life is a testament of not giving up and constantly improving oneself. This idea of suiting up and trying to be greater than you’d ever been is something I feel I’m a testament of, because when he passed away in 2012, that’s when I decided to actually get my university degree, to make better for myself — so for me, it’s a full circle to be able to be the person to pay homage to this great man.”

The commemorative bust of Lincoln Alexander that was unveiled at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on January 21, 2024, Lincoln Alexander Day

 

VerCetty is encouraging visitors to the Ontario Legislature to spend time with the piece, and he wants people to read Alexander’s memoir titled “Go to School, You’re a Little Black Boy” The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, written with Herb Shoveller.

 

On January 21, 2024, on what would have been the 102^nd birthday of Lincoln Alexander — and known nationally as Lincoln Alexander Day, since 2015, and celebrated in Ontario from 2013 — an unveiling ceremony was held at Queen’s Park to reveal the commemorative bust to Ontarians.

 

Starting with a procession of drummers, dancer, speakers and presenters, the afternoon was led by emcee and CBC TV anchor Dwight Drummond with the Canadian anthem sung by Coco LaRain, greetings from Ted Arnott, Speaker of the Ontario Legislative Assembly; Greg Fergus, Speaker of the House of Commons; Charmaine Williams, MPP for Brampton Centre and Associate Minister of Women’s and Social Economic Opportunity; Jill Andrew, MPP for Toronto-St. Paul’s and Ontario NDP Culture Critic and Women’s Issue Critic for the Official Opposition; Andrea Hazell, Liberal MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood; Mike Schreiner, MPP for Guelph and Leader of the Green Party of Ontario; and Patricia Barnes, MPP for Ajax, who brought greetings on behalf of Premier Doug Ford.

 

Arnot reminisced that Alexander had timeless values that he lived by while he was the lieutenant governor of Ontario and was someone regal and down-to-earth. 

 

Williams described the former MP and resident of Hamilton as a great individual and a true public servant. Andrew underscored the value of artists and complimented VerCetty on the creation of the bust. She met the late vice-regal in her youth and remembered feeling seen by him when he accepted her greeting. Andrew spoke of the importance of the visual representation of the bust in the legislature.

Rosemary Sadlier, Chair of the LINC Bust Committee at the lectern. Behind her from left to right are other committee members: Fazela Haniff, Ingrid Wilson and Tusma Sulieman

 

Rosemary Sadlier, Chair of the LINC Bust Committee, said the unveiling ceremony was the culmination of ten years of work to see it come to fruition that day. She was delighted that Alexander’s family was onboard from the beginning. Sadlier underscored the importance of honouring the past and its connection to the present and future. She thanked the partner sponsors, Licensed to Learn, Black Opportunity Fund, and RBC for their support.

 

Nabil Ali, Chief Operations Officer, Licensed to Learn (L2L), said visiting the Linc bust will become a key component of their public educational tour program.

 

Mark Beckles, Vice President, Social Impact and Innovation, RBC, said when he was planning to run as a candidate for the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party in 2007, he met with Alexander who gifted his sons, William and Warren, with two copies of his memoir — something that had a transformative impact on their education.

 

Craig Wellington, Executive Director, Black Opportunity Fund, said Alexander challenged Canadians to be great and “all of us individually to be great.” Quoting African American activist and artist Paul Robeson, he described engaging in the installation of the Linc bust as a radical act, an act of revolution, which was also challenging the culture of the legislative building.

 

“Black children will see themselves reflected in this hall,” he said, before relating how 14 years ago he successfully spearheaded a campaign to have Chapters bookstore properly catalogue Alexander’s memoir. He had been to a few locations in search of the book and eventually realized that they had filed it “under “local interest/travel” along with travel maps and atlases, instead of in the “Canadian Biography” or “biography” sections and was only available in Ontario locations and online.” 

Craig Wellington, Executive Director of the Black Opportunity Fund

 

Pinball Clemons said Alexander was a gift to humanity and had a great head and a great heart.

 

Speaking on behalf of the family, Erika Alexander, granddaughter of Lincoln Alexander, said after listening to the previous speakers she realized that the words “big shot” and “movers and shakers” were frequently used by him. She noted that he was deliberate, resilient and personal. 

 

Erika said in 1985 when her grandfather was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, she was two years old, and it was her first time stepping into Queen’s Park. She thanked the Linc Bust Committee and congratulated VerCetty for the research and care he took in creating the bust of Linc. She also thanked Marni Beal-Alexander for being a companion to her grandfather in his later years.

 

“I’m very proud that this is happening; I’m proud for my family. I’m very proud of the committee for putting all this effort in for the past few years and really pushing to get something so honourable, such as a bust, and especially being the first Black figure in Queen’s Park — that really aligns with the trajectory of my grandfather’s life and the milestones that he made,” said Erika, noting that as people walk through Queen’s Park they will see a face that looks like someone they know or someone in their family.

Granddaughters of Lincoln Alexander: Erika Alexander, left, and Marissa Alexander, right, unveiling the bust of their grandfather at Queen's Park

The unveiling of the Linc Bust was done by Erika and her sister, Marissa Alexander.

Lincoln Alexander was elected to the House of Commons as MP for Hamilton West in 1968 and served as the federal minister of labour in 1979. From 1985 to 1991, he was the lieutenant governor of Ontario, and became the sixth and longest-serving chancellor of the University of Guelph from 1991 to 2007. In 2006, Alexander wrote his memoir.

Dr. Gervan Fearon, President of George Brown College, and Canadian spoken word artist Dwayne Morgan at a reception held after the unveiling ceremony at Queen's Park

Some Black History Month 2024 Events in the Greater Toronto Area

 Compiled by Neil Armstrong

Blackhurst Cultural Centre in collaboration with Nimbus Publishing present the launch of "Black Activist, Scientist, Icon," The autobiography of Dr. Howard D. McCurdy with George Elliott Clarke, at Blackhurst Cultural Centre, 777-779 Bathurst St., Toronto, on Saturday, January 27, 2024, 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

 

Sunday, January 28

12:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Ontario Black History Society Black History Month Kick-Off Brunch

Beanfield Centre, 105 Princes’ Blvd., Toronto

Theme: The Decade Ends But We Are United Forever

The UN Int’l Decade for People of African Descent comes to an end in 2024 but the work continues.

Keynote speaker: Jay Pitter, MES

Award-winning Placemaker & Author, Adjunct Urban Planning Professor, University of Waterloo

Tickets available at Eventbrite.ca

 

 

February 1-29

Harbourfront Centre’s KUUMBA, Toronto’s largest and longest-running Black Futures Month festival, embracing the rich tapestry of culture, diversity and creativity through a month-long celebration of Black cultural programming. Presented by TD Bank Group.

https://harbourfrontcentre.com/series/kuumba/

 

 

Friday, February 2

United Way Greater Toronto and the Federation of Black Canadians’ Black Leadership & Recognition Breakfast Event

Celebrating the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024)

Theme: Beyond the Decade: Empowering the Next Generation

8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport 

6257 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON

Tickets: $75 and are available until January 23, 2024.

Check Eventbrite for details.

 

 

Saturday, February 3

10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Jean Augustine Centre’s 9^th annual Black History Month Celebration

1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive, Etobicoke

http://tinyurl.com/jacbhmcelebration

 

 

Sunday, February 4

1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

“Iron Sharpens Iron – Black Excellence 365 Brunch”

DR.ABC Teachable Moments

55 Barber Greene #1 Toronto

Check Eventbrite for details

 

 

Wednesday, February 7

5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Jean Augustine Chair Black History Month Event – Word, Sound, Power: Black Artistic Expression

Tribute Communities Recital Hall Accolade East Building, York University

Pre-Event Reception at 5:30 p.m. (CIBC Lounge, Accolade East Building)

Performances: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

 

 

Thursday, February 8

Blackhurst Cultural Centre presents African Diasporic Histories and World Histories with Dr. Harcourt Fuller

6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. – The Conversation at Randolph College for the Performing Arts, 736 Bathurst St.

8:00 p.m. – Reception at Blackhurst Cultural Centre, 777 Bathurst St., Toronto.

Dr. Harcourt Fuller is a historian at Georgia State University and creator of the traveling museum “Black Money Exhibit: World Currencies featuring African & African Diasporic Histories and Cultures.”

A free event. Register at Eventbrite

 

 

Friday, February 9

2:00-4:00 p.m. EST

Department of History, University of Toronto presents News for the People virtual webinar discussion

Please register by Monday, February 5 at http://tinyurl.com/5s3t4s7y

 

 

 

Sunday, February 11

1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

The Jamaican Canadian Association Annual Boonoonoonos Brunch

Theme: Black Resistance

995 Arrow Road

Toronto, ON

Tickets: $65

 

 

Friday, February 16

8:30 p.m.

Caliban Arts Theatre

50^th Anniversary Concert of Chicago’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble Live

The Redwood Theatre

1300 Gerrard St. East (Greenwood)

Tickets: $45 Early Bird (Until January 19), $50 Adv., $60 Door

Door opens at 8:00 p.m.

 

 

Thursday, February 22

Brampton On Stage and Jones & Jones present “Flavours & Vibes: The Peace. Love. Unity Edition”

Featuring Jesse Royal, The Human Rights, Omega Mighty, Kairo McLean, Joshua Lucas

The Rose, 1 Theatre Lane, Brampton

Pre-show Mix N Mingle, 7:00 p.m.

Showtime, 8:00 p.m.

Hosted by MC Bonde

 

 

Saturday, February 24

RBC Black Diamond Ball

Theme: A Tribute to You

6:00 p.m.

Fairmont Royal York

100 Front St. W., Toronto

Check Eventbrite for details.

Prominent Black Leaders Appointed to the Order of Canada

By Neil Armstrong

Photo contributed       Debbie Douglas, Executive Director of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)

A policy expert and community activist, a veteran public health advocate, and two historians from Ontario’s Black communities are among the 78 Canadians recently appointed to the Order of Canada by Governor General Mary Simon.

 

Debbie Douglas is the executive director of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) and is often called upon by governments to share her expertise. Her work entails highlighting issues of equity, antiracism, gender, economic class and sexual orientation. She has promoted the creation of safe, welcoming spaces within the settlement and integration sector.

 

Douglas’s appointment is in recognition of her work — “for advancing principles of equity and inclusion in the Canadian immigration system as a leading policy expert and community activist.”

 

“I don’t want to pretend that my work in any progressive movement has to do with me only. It’s always a collective effort, and so I think it provides a bigger platform to be able to raise some of these issues and to put some of them on the public agenda — issues of migration and race, and migration and sexual orientation,” says Douglas who was born in Grenada and immigrated to Canada in her childhood.

 

She says the appointment is also important for her and other Black women leaders, “who are often not recognized for the work that we do as we continue to toil in various communities and in various ways to try and make this place where we live a better place, with so much systemic issues around.”

 

Douglas will continue to raise issues such as the regularization of status, the systemic racism that exists in the immigration system — for example, families from Africa are overly DNA tested, she said —and it allows her and colleagues to pay attention to what’s happening with refugee claimants, especially with queer refugees, but also other refugees coming from the continent.

 

She believes that it is because OCASI, Black community churches and other faith groups, and Black organizations have stepped up in a way that has never been seen before on the African refugee issue why there is some response from the federal government to what’s happening in Sudan with the recent announcement that it will provide a family sponsorship program for Sudanese. 

 

In December, Marc Miller, minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, announced a new family-based humanitarian pathway for Sudanese and non-Sudanese nationals who resided in Sudan when the conflict began on April 15, 2023, so they can reunite on a permanent basis with their family in Canada.

 

The government said these actions build on temporary immigration measures already in place for Sudanese temporary residents in Canada who may be unable to return home due to the situation in their country, and for family members of Canadians and permanent residents who fled Sudan and came to Canada before July 15, 2023.

 

“Still need the federal government to step up in a big way, in terms of refugee claimants’ shelter and housing, in terms of supporting the municipalities where they are located, but also in funding things like a reception centre. They’ve put some money into and found a space in Peel Region — the $7M is not enough because we know there are hundreds and hundreds of refugee claimants who are in Ontario, some were relocated from Quebec, but many others have arrived, in the last year, through Pearson,” said Douglas.

 

The OCASI executive director said they will continue to see people looking for safety as governments in some countries, including Uganda, Kenya and Ghana, implement draconian laws that persecute people based on their sexual orientation.

 

“We have got to ensure that the same reception that we gave to Ukrainians in the war is the same reception that we’re giving to people in Sudan where there is a budding civil war, and people from Congo where unrest has been going on forever.”

 

For many years, Douglas worked in frontline, management and executive positions with community-based service agencies. As a management consultant, she worked both with Non-Governmental Organizations and public institutions on organizational development and change.

 

She was a member of the provinces’ Expert Panel on Immigration which published the report, Routes to Success, and led to the province’s first immigration legislation (2015); sat as a member of the provincial government’s Income Security Reform Working Group (2018); a member of the Immigration and Refugee Advisory Committee of Legal Aid Ontario and the federal government’s National Settlement Council. 

 

Douglas was the co-founder of Zami, a political and support group for LGBTI Black and Caribbean people in the early 1980s in Toronto. 

 

She is the recipient of several awards including the Women of Distinction from YWCA Toronto (2004), and the Urban Alliance on Race Relations Anti-Racism Award (2014), among others.

Lillie Johnson with Margaret Williams who helped with the writing of Johnson's memoir, "My Dream"

 

Lillie Johnson, who is 101 years old, was invested into the Order of Canada for “her long-time dedication to improving public health within the Black community, notably through the creation of the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario.”

 

She was born on March 16, 1922, in St. Ann, Jamaica and after completing her education at Wolmer’s High School for Girls and at Shortwood Teachers’ College she worked as a teacher in Jamaica. 

 

Johnson eventually left to study nursing in England in December 1950, arriving in January 1951 and travelled to Edinburgh, Scotland to start her training.

 

After completing her studies in Britain, Johnson returned to Jamaica where she worked at the University College of the West Indies Hospital in Kingston. From there she went to New Jersey in the United States in 1958 to work at the Beth Israel Hospital in Newark.

 

Johnson travelled by train from New York, where she visited family, to Canada in August 1960.

 

A strong advocate for education about sickle cell disease, Johnson founded the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario in 1981.  In 2011, she was invested into the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honour, for her work with the organization.

 

Karen Flynn, an associate professor in the Department of Gender and Women’s Studies and the Department of African-American Studies Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is the author of “Moving Beyond Borders: A History of Black Canadian and Caribbean Women in the Diaspora,” which features Johnson on the cover. 

 

She praised Johnson’s leadership, initiative, dedication, and advocacy around sickle cell. During the 1960s and 1970s, Johnson visited many patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), a life-threatening condition characterized by severe, unpredictable painful episodes and complications that can limit daily activities and cause disability. 

 

Former president of the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA), Adaoma Patterson, said Johnson has been a pillar of the Black and Jamaican Canadian community in Toronto for many decades. “She has been a steadfast champion of public health, healthcare and sickle cell disease, in particular, creating awareness, supporting individuals and families dealing with disease, and pushing elected officials and the medical community to take it seriously.” 

Lillie Johnson and Professor Karen Flynn at the launch of "Moving Beyond Borders: A History of Black Canadian and Caribbean Women in the Diaspora" written by Flynn which has a photo of Johnson on the cover

Shannon Beth Prince and Bryan Earl Prince were appointed for their “commitment to the documentation, preservation and celebration of Black Canadian history, particularly the Underground Railroad in southwestern Ontario.”

After 25 years as the curator of the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum in Chatham-Kent, Ontario, Shannon Prince retired in December 2023. 

She is also a historical storyteller and participates in re-enactments which bring the history of Buxton and the Underground Railroad to life for many groups. Being a 6th generation descendant of the early fugitive families that came to Canada for freedom and opportunity, she brings an insight, respect and love for Canadian heritage. 

Bryan Prince is a descendent of enslaved people who came to Canada prior to the American Civil War. He is a farmer with a profound interest in the history of the Underground Railroad – particularly in the Canadian involvement. He has spent countless hours researching, writing, and lecturing on this topic over a period of nearly 25 years. 

“I greatly value the opportunity to celebrate individuals whose perseverance, ingenuity and community spirit have benefited Canadians throughout the country. As governor general, I have seen first-hand that our communities are rich in both excellence and diversity, which we need to do our utmost to recognize. I encourage each of us to become catalysts for the change we want to see in the Canadian Honours System by nominating individuals whose exceptional accomplishments may have gone unrecognized through the years,” said Governor General Mary Simon.

Every year since its creation in 1967, the ranks of the Order of Canada have been enriched by the appointment of new members whose contributions reverberate in communities across the country and beyond. Through their exemplary commitment, they inspire and challenge us to join them in making Canada a better country, notes a media release.

The Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest honours. It recognizes people across all sectors of society who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to our nation.

The motto of the Order, DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM, translates to “They desire a better country.”

Appointments are made by the governor general on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada.

Appointees will be invited to an investiture ceremony at a later date to receive their insignia. The dates of these ceremonies will be announced in due course. Non-Canadians are eligible for an honorary appointment to the Order if their contributions have brought benefit or honour to Canadians or to Canada.