Angles Covered: Order of Ontario Recipient Thanks the Community

A reshoot of the original photo taken almost 30 years ago of some of the Up From The Roots Entertainment members. Left to right: Dwayne Morgan, Quisha Wint, Kevin White, Nicole Morgan and Kevin Ormsby. Kneeling is Dwayne Ashley holding the original photo.

By Neil Armstrong

Canadian spoken word artist, motivational speaker and event organizer Dwayne Morgan says he represents multiple communities of people and felt that it was important to share his investiture into the Order of Ontario with the community that has supported his dreams, vision and endeavours.

The 2023 appointee to the province’s highest civilian honour for his extraordinary contribution to the arts was celebrated at an investiture ceremony alongside 2024 appointees at the Royal Ontario Museum on June 16 led by Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario.

“When Dwayne Morgan discovered a love of writing in high school, the “spoken-word” genre didn’t exist. As a Black teenager from Scarborough, few doors opened, and he launched “Up From The Roots Entertainment”, producing opportunities for other racialized artists. He lobbied the League of Canadian Poets to include performance poets, produced North America’s two largest spoken-word events and has performed globally. His words – and actions – inspire,” read the citation.

On June 18, he held a community reception at the North York Central Library at which he noted that his grandparents nurtured him in faith so he had to thank God for all of the blessings in his life.

Morgan, who is of Jamaican heritage, also thanked his mother who always supported him “even when she had no idea what on earth I was doing.” Included in his expressions of gratitude were his daughter, Egypt, and partner Claudia.

Many of the original members of Up From The Roots were present, including his sister Nicole Morgan, Dwayne Ashley, Quisha Wint, Kevin Ormsby and Kevin White. Those absent were Tamla Matthews, Lorraine Reid and Cheryl Joseph.

Tracing his trajectory, Morgan said they were all there from the beginning and supported his vision that few could see. “You kept me hungry and humble, and I appreciate your contributions to all of the early shows. Back in those days, no one wanted Black kids, especially those from Scarborough, in their establishments so I would produce our first shows in a Fit For Life gym with people working out in the background.”

He advised those gathered that everything does not need to be perfect to start something. “Most times, you just need to start; start where you are with what you have, and notice how things start to work out around you. Life is too short to be wasting time, waiting for the right moment.”

Noting that Debbie Thompson and Ginelle Skerritt believed in him when he only had one poem and he did not know that there was anything in him worth believing in, Morgan thanked them.

A text from Gretta Vosper, one of his elders, reminded him that he made the world different for many people who, without his influence “may never have found the best use of their strengths, or the softer ways to stand up against power with courage.” This prompted the 2013 Scarborough Walk of Fame inductee to thank himself.

“Few know how lonely it is to be a dreamer, to be committed to something that no one else sees, but is so clear in your head. You spend a great deal of time being misunderstood and judged, but the reality is that you’ll never be everything to everyone, though that doesn’t stop you from trying.”

Morgan said when the Order of Ontario was first suggested to him, he did not know what it was, but instantly felt that he did not deserve it and that it was for other people.

As he listened to the biographies of the other appointees at the ceremony, he sometimes wondered if it was a mistake that he was included but soon reminded himself of his achievements.

Over the past 32 years, Morgan has written sixteen books, published an anthology of other writers, released eight albums, and two double albums, one poetry compilation album, one comedy album, one DVD, two short films, won two national championships, produced three photography exhibits, two TV shows, performed in eighteen countries, started two youth poetry slam leagues, produced hundreds of events and given thousands of performances.

“We belong in all of these places that we’ve convinced ourselves aren’t for us,” said the 2022 winner of the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Celebration of Cultural Life award.

He wants to see a documentary about his story, a Netflix special, and one of his feature film ideas made.

“I have given all that I can. I believe in dying empty; taking everything that life has given me and giving it back to others and the world. There is nothing that I can take with me when I go, so I will continue to give all that I can for the benefit of others. This is how I was raised and who I am,” said Morgan who is the recipient of the African Canadian Achievement Award and the Harry Jerome Award for Excellence in the Arts.