On Saturday, October 26th, 2024, the recognition, and celebration of Afro Caribbean youth living in Grey and Bruce Counties took centre stage at the second Afro Caribbean Youth Awards.
Held at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine, the event featured several speakers including Phillip Saunders, a multidisciplinary artist and arts educator. Saunders, the creator of the Afrocentric mural at the Davidson Centre, gave an interactive lesson on creating an art installation during his talk.
Pastor Wonder Chimvinga of Pine River United Church provided greetings, encouraging audience participation by teaching everyone to say “Zvakanaka kuva pano,” which is Shona (Zimbabwean language) for “it’s nice to be here.”
Emcees for the evening includes Xavier Hyre, a community youth member, and Andrea Clarke, deputy mayor for the Municipality of Kincardine. Together, they presented awards to the following young community members in recognition and celebration of their achievements:
5- to 13-year-olds
14 to 18-year-olds
Terry Rothmaier, the senior vice-president of Bruce Power, presented the Bruce Power Leadership Awards to two youth whose significant contributions to their communities have made their families, peers, and teachers immensely proud. The recipients were Adriana Owusu-Ansah and Xavier Hyre. Each will receive a $2,500 scholarship from Bruce Power to support their education and continue their journey of leadership and service
Rothmaier congratulated them both, as well as all the evening’s recipients, noting that their achievements are a testament to hard work and dedication. He looks forward to seeing the incredible impact they will continue to make in the future.
The Municipality of Kincardine would like to thank Bruce Power for their tremendous support of the Afro Caribbean Youth Awards, and for providing the two scholarships. The Municipality also recognizes and thanks the event’s silver level sponsor NPX, as well as bronze level sponsors Vine Eye Care, Walkerton, and the Law Offices of Andrea Clarke.
The 2024 Afro Caribbean Youth Awards would not have been possible without the hard work and support of these residents and community partners:
· Community residents Jenny Hunter, Lee Evans, Upendo Hollela, Sandra Harvey, Michelle Westwood, and Seyi Osinowo
· Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre – Dan Genis
· Bruce County Public Library – Michaela Posthumus
· Kincardine District Senior School – Watson Morris
· Vine Eye Care, Walkerton – Dr. Maureen Oyaide-Ofenor
· Mebal Outreach – Nduka Aegbo
· Bluewater District School Board – Avion Campbell
· Municipality of Kincardine – Deputy Mayor Andrea Clarke and Lorie Fioze
The evening’s festivities concluded with Deputy Mayor Clarke reminding everyone that “…lived experiences will shape our unique perspectives.” She encouraged attendees to reach out to at least three people with different histories and cultures before leaving that evening to have a conversation.
“We as a community have far more in common than could ever divide us,” said Deputy Mayor Clarke. “We must keep conversing with each other even in the most challenging circumstances.”
