The Hamilton Spectator

John C. Holland Awards celebrate city’s Black youth

The annual award gala, in its 25th year, was held virtually Saturday evening

Hamilton’s annual awards gala that celebrates Black history, leadership, and youth achievement was held Saturday evening.

The Reverend John C. Holland Awards marked its 25th anniversary with a virtual event, named for the iconic Hamiltonian who died in 1954, and who was the first Black individual ever named Citizen of the Year in a Canadian community.

In a statement to The Spectator, organizer Terri Bedminster said in celebrating the achievements of Black youth, the organization is highlighting the “truth of what it means to be Black.”

“The contributions the Black community has made locally, nationally and globally are lasting and impactful,” said Bedminster. “Every day we benefit from the work of Black inventors, Black leaders, and Black artists from across the spectrum.”

In addition, to mark the gala’s 25th anniversary, the Hamilton Black History Council also announced the “25 for 25 Scholarship Campaign” that will support 25 local youth.

Bedminster said by supporting Black youth and providing them the resources they need, the “further” they will go.

“The more we celebrate and nurture them, the stronger we are as a whole,” said Bedminster, noting it’s a focus for the organization. “Our community is unified and engaged in this journey.”

Scholarship and community awards were presented through a

Zoom event that featured speakers and entertainment. Guests for the event included Ja’miil Millar, a Hamilton writer, editor and teacher who spoke on trusting intuition “through the reclamation of our ancestral stories.”

Dr. Ameil Joseph was awarded the Vince Morgan Ally Award for his antiracism work in the city.

Joseph said the honour would act as reminder “to stay the course, to listen with purpose, to never look away and to continue to be a better ally in the struggles against racism.”

This year’s honourees:

Dr. Ethilda Johnson Business Scholarship — Shayla Rodney Community Matters Scholarship — Aaron Parry

Lincoln M. Alexander — Breaking Barriers Scholarship — Cheikh Youmbi Nelson Mandela Social Justice Award — Leah Daniel

Marlene Thomas — Community Advocacy Bursary — Abygail Montague Raymond G Lewis Sports Leadership Scholarship — Calin Gibson

Rev. George Horton — Law Enforcement Scholarship — Happy Habte Dejehan Hamilton Tune In Bursary —

Benjamin Faulknor

Evelyn Myrie: Political Action — Oyin Aderibigbe

YWCA: Girls Rock — Aisha Ahmad Immigrants Matter — Teniola Odunfa Audre Lorde — LGBTQ2S and 25th Anniversary Winner — Alyssa Vernon

General Achievement Bursaries:

Darasami Jakande Noah Matsakawo Angelique Desouza Shayla Bramer

Youth Awards of Recognition:

Resiliency Award — Temitayo Babalola Personal Growth Award — Fechukwu

Agbassi

Global Equity Award — Grace Abai Athletic Leadership Award — Dannick Butera

Youth Ally Award — Seretta Goulbourne Supporting the Cause Award — Naomi Ngobila

Equity and Social Change Award — Payton Shank

Mental Health Advocacy Award — Malachi Ahmad

Art Achievement Award — Bailey Bovell Entrepreneurship Award — Tas-Jay Smith

Arts & Culture Award — TRAD Magazine

Community Service Award — Joëlle Kabisoso

Kapinga Award of Merit — Kojo Damptey Vince Morgan Ally Award — Dr. Ameil Joseph Business Excellence Award — Max Fran- cis of True Hamiltonian Winner of the 25th Anniversary Pillar Scholarship of $2,500 — for embodying the four pillars of Hamilton Black History Council: Education, Connection, Empowerment and Celebration — Alyssa Vernon

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