​Speaker inspires courageous conversation at inaugural Afro Caribbean Culture Awards

Dwayne Morgan urges people to have courageous conversations and embrace true multiculturalism and diversity.

Speaking to the crowd at the inaugural Afro Caribbean Culture Awards, Saturday night, at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine, Morgan said it’s important to celebrate these achievements, to recognize persistence and perseverance.

“In case you haven’t notice, I’m black,” he said. “We see the colour, the difference, the uniqueness. There are people whose skin colour doesn’t matter; it has no effect on their life. Then there are others whose skin colour affects everything.

“It’s tough to navigate an environment that’s not welcoming when you don’t look like everybody else or you talk with a different accent.

“For us to have true multiculturalism and diversity, we have to be invested in other people’s culture, embrace all of it, have courageous conversations, understand each other. We have so much to learn just by speaking to each other.

“People have different life experiences. Someone may have a solution to a problem you have, you just have to talk to him about it.

“My parents came to Canada at the age of 21. They didn’t know they were black. They came from Jamaica. Here, they were given a new identity – you’re black. They had never experienced that before.”

Morgan said the Afro Caribbean awards night is just a drop in the bucket compared to what needs to be done.

“So many people feel like they don’t belong when they come here,” he said. “It’s important they know that they are seen. As a black child, the way you look affects how others see you and what you can do with your life. When we went to school, we didn’t thrive, we just tried to survive. We have to promote the fact that we are good enough just the way we are.

“So, start speaking to each other, learn who we are, where we’re from, how we live, and how we see things. We all benefit when all the people around us feel like they belong.”

MC Maya Hunter of Kincardine began the evening by welcoming everyone to the event, a night to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Afro Caribbean youth in Bruce and Grey counties.

Pastor Wonder Chimvinga of Pine River United Church gave the opening prayer.

Dr. Maureen Oyaide-Ofenor brought an inspirational message, “Who am I?” She urged people to be their own best cheerleaders, focus on their passion, plan long-term goals, and then, they’ll have no time for negativity because they’re too busy creating the future.

Awards were presented to the following youth:

Age five to 13
 

• Agape Chimvinga
• Charis Chimvinga
• Terata Chimvinga
• Isaac Clarke-Grant
• Isaiah Clarke-Grant
• Joshua Clarke-Grant
• Samantha Ngaakudzwe Daniels
• Ronan Harvey
• Fay Ngunangwa
• David Ofenor
• Joel Ofenor
• Anuoluwa Osinowo
• Inioluwa Osinowo

Age 14-18
 

• Tania Bautista
• Jazmine Henry
• Gabe Hunter
• Serena Hunter
• Xavier Hyre
• Evan John
• Yuhai Namwira Mukenge
• Florian Ngunanwa
• Tireni Okanlawom
• Keira Thompson

Age 19-25
 

• Bronwen Boals
• Mwema Namwira Mukenge

Mike Rencheck, president and chief executive officer of Bruce Power announced five $500 scholarships for Afro Caribbean high school students who are advancing to post-secondary education.

He also presented the Bruce Power Leadership Award to Bronwen Boals who was absent. The award was accepted by Maya Hunter.

Kincardine deputy mayor Andrea Clarke, one of the organizers of the awards night, thanked the many sponsors, community partners and volunteers for supporting this event.

Pastor Chimvinga ended the night with a benediction.