Denham Jolly Celebrates His 89th Birthday

By Neil Armstrong

Photo contributed          B. Denham Jolly

Happy 89^th birthday to B. Denham Jolly, entrepreneur, philanthropist, civil rights activist and author.

He was born on August 26, 1935, in Industry Cove, Hanover, just north of the town of Green Island in Jamaica. In 1955, at age 20, he left Jamaica to study at the Ontario Agricultural College, now the University of Guelph, and also pursued postsecondary education in Truro, Nova Scotia, and at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.

Jolly tells an interesting story of how he was named Brandeis Denham Jolly in his memoir, ‘In the Black: My Life,’ published on February 14, 2017, by ECW Press.

On February 11, 2017, I had the pleasure of hosting his book launch inside Miss Lou’s Room at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto.

“Join Denham Jolly for readings and discussion of his new book. In the Black traces Jolly’s personal and professional struggle, as well as that of a generation of activists who worked to reshape Canada in the face of the systemic discrimination against Black Canadians,” noted the invitation to the free event.

The press release from ECW Press referenced two endorsements of the book from the Honourable Jean Augustine, former Deputy Speaker, Canadian House of Commons, and Andre De Grasse, then three-time 2016 Olympic medallist.

“We have made progress as Black Canadians because of the activism and advocacy of this giant of a man…This story of his life and his accomplishments is a must read for all who engage with their communities,” said Augustine whose 87^thbirthday will be celebrated on September 7 alongside a charity fundraiser at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre.

Augustine and Jolly are directors of the board of CaribbeanTales International Film Festival.

“I was introduced to Hip Hop and R&B music by FLOW 93.5. All urban music lovers in Toronto should feel an indebtedness to its founder, Denham Jolly…This book gives you great insight into [Denham Jolly’s] story and should inspire young people to pursue their dreams no matter what the challenges,” said De Grasse.

The media release noted that: “His work with Contrast newspaper contributed significantly to the Black community and cultural landscape of Toronto’s Bathurst Street. The need for a stronger voice for the Black community fuelled Jolly’s 12-year battle to get a licence for FLOW 93.5, a Black-owned radio station in Toronto. At its launch in 2001, Flow 93.5 became the model for urban music stations across the country, helping to launch the careers of artists like Drake, Shad, and Jully Black.”

On September 6, CaribbeanTales Media Group (CTMG) will showcase Garvey’s Ghost, a six-episode series — an original comedy series created by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon on CaribbeanTales-TV, the company’s streaming channel. It is one of two CTMG projects that are inspired by Jolly’s memoir. 

The second is the feature film in production IN THE BLACK that tells the story of his incredible twelve-year struggle to create Canada’s first Black radio station, Flow 93.5 FM. The writers are Andrew Burrows Trotman and Solomon who is also the creator and director.

Garvey’s Ghost follows the hilarious adventures of Marcus Garvey, played by the inimitable Jamaican comedian Owen “Blakka” Ellis, as a ghost who returns to 1950's Toronto on a mission to restore African pride in his followers. To achieve this, he hooks up with old flame and devoted disciple Miss Violet Williams. 

 The series stars Melanie Nicholls-King as Miss Violet the no-nonsense Lady President of the Garvey Association, and Peter Williams as the community’s patriarch. The cast also includes Tymika Tafari, Richard Walters, Valerie Buhagiar and Sarah McVie.

Garvey’s Ghost uses comedy to explore serious issues of identity, race and class in Canada and the wider urban diaspora - but through a lens of irreverent joy and delight,” said creator and executive producer Frances-Anne Solomon. “I wanted to re-imagine Garvey as a very modern impish ghost on a mission to re-awaken the creativity of Africa in his peoples, despite the frigid cold of 50's Canada.”

 “CaribbeanTales is committed to sharing the vibrant stories of the Caribbean and its diaspora in all their boundless unfettered expressions,” said Diana Webley, festivals director at CaribbeanTales Media Group. Garvey’s Ghost is exactly the kind of fresh, insightful and entertaining content we strive to create and distribute worldwide.”
 

One day after the debut of Garvey’s Ghost on CaribbeanTales-TV, CTMG presents the celebration of Jean Augustine’s 87^th birthday and charity fundraiser which will take place at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre. There will also be the screening of two films and the presentation of the Augustine Award of Excellence to a local legend who embodies her spirit. The CaribbeanTales International Film Festival runs from September 4-15. Tickets are available on the website. Augustine was born in Saint George’s, Grenada, on September 9, 1937.

On that same day, September 7, there will be ‘Celebrating Miss Lou: A life of Poetry, Music, and Love’ — a workshop and show honouring the stories and style of Louise Bennett-Coverley at the Harbourfront Centre — including Maurice Gordon, Marsha Laylor, Mel Dube, Pimento Groove(Rickie, Mikey, Oniel and Maurice), Jeffrey Grannum, Kenurah Gray,, and Mello Ayo. There will also be a tour of the Miss Lou Learning Centre. A free event requiring registration at the Harbourfront Centre’s website. Miss Lou was born on September 7, 1919, in Kingston, Jamaica and died in Toronto, Canada on July 26, 2006.