Martin Luther King, Jr Day: A day "on", not a day "off"!
About Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
This United States federal holiday marks the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King's birthday, January 15. King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination. Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed in 1986. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.
Source: Wikipedia
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE KING CENTER
www.thekingcenter.org
Washington D.C., Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial
http://www.mlkmemorial.org/site/c.hkIUL9MVJxE/b.4718119/k.70EC/Download_the_MLK_Toolbar.htm
This United States federal holiday marks the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King's birthday, January 15. King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination. Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed in 1986. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.
Source: Wikipedia
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE KING CENTER
www.thekingcenter.org
Washington D.C., Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial
http://www.mlkmemorial.org/site/c.hkIUL9MVJxE/b.4718119/k.70EC/Download_the_MLK_Toolbar.htm
18th Annual City of Ottawa Martin Luther King Jr Day Celebration
- Monday, January 16, 2023
16th Annual City of Ottawa Martin Luther King Jr Day Celebration
- Monday, January 25, 2021
20th Annual Martin Luther King Jr Day Celebration at Parkdale United Church
- Sunday, January 19, 2020
Sunday, January 19, 2020
10:30am
Parkdale United Church, 429 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 1H3
19th Annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr Gospel Service. We will welcome once again the dynamic Imani Gospel Singers from Montreal, under the direction of Marcia Bailey. Spread the word, and plan to come and celebrate Dr King’s vision of a global beloved community of love, peace, joy and justice.
Photo credit: Black Ottawa Scene
10:30am
Parkdale United Church, 429 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 1H3
19th Annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr Gospel Service. We will welcome once again the dynamic Imani Gospel Singers from Montreal, under the direction of Marcia Bailey. Spread the word, and plan to come and celebrate Dr King’s vision of a global beloved community of love, peace, joy and justice.
Photo credit: Black Ottawa Scene
15th Annual City of Ottawa Martin Luther King Jr Day Celebration
- Monday, January 20, 2020
Stepping Forward - Speaking Out
Monday, January 20, 2020, 12:00 Noon
Jean Pigott Place, Ottawa City Hall
MC: Rev. Dr. Anthony Bailey
Senior Pastor, Parkdale United Church
Keynote Speaker: Dahabo Ahmed Omer
Co-founder Justice for Abdirahman Coalition
2020 Laureate of the Hon. Jean Augustine DreamKEEPERS Life Achievement Award:
Hon. Michael Coteau
MPP Don Valley East, Leadership candidate, Ontario Liberal Party
2020 Recipients of the DreamKEEPERS Citation for Outstanding Leadership:
Sarah Onyango & Samir Bhatnagar
2020 Recipient of the June Girvan DreamKEEPERS Youth-In-Service Award: Kyrstin Dumont
Monday, January 20, 2020, 12:00 Noon
Jean Pigott Place, Ottawa City Hall
MC: Rev. Dr. Anthony Bailey
Senior Pastor, Parkdale United Church
Keynote Speaker: Dahabo Ahmed Omer
Co-founder Justice for Abdirahman Coalition
2020 Laureate of the Hon. Jean Augustine DreamKEEPERS Life Achievement Award:
Hon. Michael Coteau
MPP Don Valley East, Leadership candidate, Ontario Liberal Party
2020 Recipients of the DreamKEEPERS Citation for Outstanding Leadership:
Sarah Onyango & Samir Bhatnagar
2020 Recipient of the June Girvan DreamKEEPERS Youth-In-Service Award: Kyrstin Dumont
Martin Luther King Jr Day Celebration at Fourth Avenue Baptist Church
- Sunday, January 20, 2019
Sunday, January 20, 2019
10:45am
Fourth Avenue Baptist Church, 109A Fourth Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 2L3
Worship Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King. The Academy Choir is joining us in worship, providing sacred music to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of the late Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr.
10:45am
Fourth Avenue Baptist Church, 109A Fourth Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 2L3
Worship Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King. The Academy Choir is joining us in worship, providing sacred music to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of the late Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr.
14th Annual City of Ottawa Martin Luther King Jr Day Celebration
- Monday, January 15, 2018
13th Annual City of Ottawa Martin Luther King Jr Day Celebration
- Monday, January 16, 2017
2017 DreamKEEPERS Life Achievement Award Recipient
Our National Laureate, to receive The DreamKEEPERS Life Achievement Award for 2017 is Hon. Margarett Best of Toronto. A champion of equity and social justice with an emphasis on Youth Engagement, Margarett had a distinguished career in the Ontario Cabinet.
Our National Laureate, to receive The DreamKEEPERS Life Achievement Award for 2017 is Hon. Margarett Best of Toronto. A champion of equity and social justice with an emphasis on Youth Engagement, Margarett had a distinguished career in the Ontario Cabinet.
2017 DreamKEEPERS Citation for Outstanding Leadership
The 2017 Ottawa awardee of The DreamKEEPERS Citation for Outstanding Leadership is the indigenous religious, social and environmental leader Albert Dumont, South Wind for his dedication in defending the Ottawa River and the rights of his people, while seeking reconciliation with the settler community.
The 2017 Ottawa awardee of The DreamKEEPERS Citation for Outstanding Leadership is the indigenous religious, social and environmental leader Albert Dumont, South Wind for his dedication in defending the Ottawa River and the rights of his people, while seeking reconciliation with the settler community.
2017 KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, our Key Note Speaker, Dr. Kalenda Eaton, an African-American expert in the literary history of the African Diaspora in North America, will pay homage to that shared relationship and Canada’s legacy with Martin Luther King and the struggle against racism. Dr. Eaton, of Arcadia University in Pennsylvania, was recently a U.S. Fulbright Visiting Research
Chair at Dalhousie University in Halifax.
In celebration of Canada’s 150 Anniversary, DreamKEEPERS, together proudly with its new partner, Black History Ottawa, announces the theme for the 13th annual Martin Luther King Day celebrations at Ottawa City Hall as: CANADA: The North Star Nation
Sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, our Key Note Speaker, Dr. Kalenda Eaton, an African-American expert in the literary history of the African Diaspora in North America, will pay homage to that shared relationship and Canada’s legacy with Martin Luther King and the struggle against racism. Dr. Eaton, of Arcadia University in Pennsylvania, was recently a U.S. Fulbright Visiting Research
Chair at Dalhousie University in Halifax.
In celebration of Canada’s 150 Anniversary, DreamKEEPERS, together proudly with its new partner, Black History Ottawa, announces the theme for the 13th annual Martin Luther King Day celebrations at Ottawa City Hall as: CANADA: The North Star Nation
12th Annual City of Ottawa Martin Luther King Jr Day Celebration
- Monday, January 18, 2016
Martin Luther King Day will be celebrated in 2015 on Monday, January 18, at Ottawa City Hall at noon.
The event will include: reflections and remarks from various spiritual and civic leaders, inspiring music, and the presentation of the DreamKEEPERS Citation for Outstanding Leadership (2016 recipients: Sheila Pitt, Larry Hill and Désiré Kilolwa) and the DreamKEEPERS Life Achievement Award (Rt. Hon. Joe Clark, Former Prime Minister of Canada). This award is given annually, on the occasion of Martin Luther King Day celebrations in the City of Ottawa, to an individual or individuals [or an organization(s)] which have demonstrated themselves to be a role model in Ottawa and beyond for the values and principles of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The event is open to the public. Admission is free; however, donations to DreamKEEPERS are appreciated.
The event will include: reflections and remarks from various spiritual and civic leaders, inspiring music, and the presentation of the DreamKEEPERS Citation for Outstanding Leadership (2016 recipients: Sheila Pitt, Larry Hill and Désiré Kilolwa) and the DreamKEEPERS Life Achievement Award (Rt. Hon. Joe Clark, Former Prime Minister of Canada). This award is given annually, on the occasion of Martin Luther King Day celebrations in the City of Ottawa, to an individual or individuals [or an organization(s)] which have demonstrated themselves to be a role model in Ottawa and beyond for the values and principles of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The event is open to the public. Admission is free; however, donations to DreamKEEPERS are appreciated.
2016 DreamKEEPERS Citation for Outstanding Leadership: Larry Hill and Désiré Kilolwa
Désiré Kilolwa is being recognized for his consistent leadership, after near violent death in his native DRC, in educating Canadian about the epidemic of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war against women and girls through the Congo Yetu Initiative - an organization he created to build supports with conferences, volunteer recruitment, as well as partnerships with Canadian groups to raise funds to help victims.
Larry Hill is being recognized for his effective leadership, integrity and courage in service to the diverse communities of Ottawa, as President of the Catholic Centre for Immigrants, Chair of the Board of the Britannia Woods Community House, and President of the Senior Officers Association of the Ottawa Police Service.
2015 DreamKEEPERS Life Achievement Award : Michael “Pinball” Clemons
CFL Legend | Toronto Argonauts Vice-Chairman
Few people exemplify the qualities of personal excellence, teamwork, community leadership, and overcoming the odds better than CFL legend Michael “Pinball” Clemons. With boundless energy, Pinball’s talks centre on the potential for each of us to achieve anything we set our minds to. Unabashedly emotional and impactful, he shows audiences how to put heart into everything they do.
Born on January 15, 1965, in Dunedin, Florida, Pinball joined the National Football League in 1987, and the Toronto Argonauts (and the CFL) in 1989. He was nicknamed “Pinball” because of his running style: his diminutive size and extraordinary balance allowed him to “bounce” between defensive players, drawing comparisons to a pinball machine. In 1990, he was honoured with the CFL’s “most outstanding player” award, after setting the single-season record for all-purpose yards. He played his last game as an Argonaut in 2000, before becoming head coach of the team. In 2004, Michael “Pinball” Clemons became the first black coach in the history of the CFL to hoist the Grey Cup in victory.
In 2007, Pinball stepped down as head coach to become the Chief Executive Officer; in 2009, he was appointed to Vice-Chair of the team. That same year, he founded the Michael “Pinball” Clemons Foundation, which is dedicated to helping disadvantaged youth. He is also currently working with Marc and Craig Kielburger, founders of Free the Children, in an initiative to build schools and clean water systems in Africa.
Few people exemplify the qualities of personal excellence, teamwork, community leadership, and overcoming the odds better than CFL legend Michael “Pinball” Clemons. With boundless energy, Pinball’s talks centre on the potential for each of us to achieve anything we set our minds to. Unabashedly emotional and impactful, he shows audiences how to put heart into everything they do.
Born on January 15, 1965, in Dunedin, Florida, Pinball joined the National Football League in 1987, and the Toronto Argonauts (and the CFL) in 1989. He was nicknamed “Pinball” because of his running style: his diminutive size and extraordinary balance allowed him to “bounce” between defensive players, drawing comparisons to a pinball machine. In 1990, he was honoured with the CFL’s “most outstanding player” award, after setting the single-season record for all-purpose yards. He played his last game as an Argonaut in 2000, before becoming head coach of the team. In 2004, Michael “Pinball” Clemons became the first black coach in the history of the CFL to hoist the Grey Cup in victory.
In 2007, Pinball stepped down as head coach to become the Chief Executive Officer; in 2009, he was appointed to Vice-Chair of the team. That same year, he founded the Michael “Pinball” Clemons Foundation, which is dedicated to helping disadvantaged youth. He is also currently working with Marc and Craig Kielburger, founders of Free the Children, in an initiative to build schools and clean water systems in Africa.
2014 DreamKEEPERS Life Achievement Award : Rt. Hon. Michaëlle Jean
The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean,
C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D.
The Rt. Hon. Michaëlle Jean is the Co-Founder and Co-President of the Michaëlle
Jean Foundation (FMJF). Born of her desire to see underserved young people
empowered to take action for change in their communities, the Foundation sees
Mme Jean collaborating actively with her husband, the filmmaker and philosopher
Jean-Daniel Lafond, to support creative youth and arts initiatives for social
change across Canada.
Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Mme Jean arrived in Canada with her family in 1968 after fleeing the brutal regime of Dictator Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Italian and Hispanic languages and literature at the University of Montréal, she pursued her master’s studies in comparative literature and taught at the university’s Faculty of Italian Studies. During her studies, Ms. Jean worked for 10 years with Quebec shelters for battered women, actively contributing to the establishment of a network of emergency shelters throughout Quebec and elsewhere in Canada. She later became a highly regarded journalist and anchor of information programs at Radio-Canada and CBC. She also took part in three award-winning documentary films produced by her husband, filmmaker Jean-Daniel Lafond.
On September 27, 2005, Mme Jean was sworn in as 27th Governor General and
Commander-in-Chief of Canada. During her time in office, Madame Jean made youth
a priority of her mandate and transformed the institution she occupied into a
meeting place where dialogue prevailed and citizen voices were heard. A fervent
practitioner of “cultural diplomacy,” she led forty missions and State visits
abroad in Afghanistan, in China, in ten African countries, in nine countries in
the Americas, and ten European countries.
Mme Jean is a Companion of the Order of Canada (CC) and has won numerous awards, including the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Canada Award; the National Quality Institute’s Board of Governors Recognition Achievement Award; Prix Anik for best information reporting in Canada; and the inaugural Amnesty International Canada Journalism Award. The Assemblée internationale des parlementaires de langue française bestowed upon her the Ordre des Chevaliers de La Pléiade. In addition, the Universities Fighting World Hunger international network oversees the new Michaëlle Jean Award.
Besides her role as President of FMJF, Mme Jean is very involved in the reconstruction of her country of birth, as UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti. She is also Chancellor of the University of Ottawa, President of the Institut
québécois des hautes études internationales of the University of Laval as well as a Board member of the Toronto Luminato Festival.
The Rt. Hon. Michaëlle Jean is the Co-Founder and Co-President of the Michaëlle
Jean Foundation (FMJF). Born of her desire to see underserved young people
empowered to take action for change in their communities, the Foundation sees
Mme Jean collaborating actively with her husband, the filmmaker and philosopher
Jean-Daniel Lafond, to support creative youth and arts initiatives for social
change across Canada.
Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Mme Jean arrived in Canada with her family in 1968 after fleeing the brutal regime of Dictator Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Italian and Hispanic languages and literature at the University of Montréal, she pursued her master’s studies in comparative literature and taught at the university’s Faculty of Italian Studies. During her studies, Ms. Jean worked for 10 years with Quebec shelters for battered women, actively contributing to the establishment of a network of emergency shelters throughout Quebec and elsewhere in Canada. She later became a highly regarded journalist and anchor of information programs at Radio-Canada and CBC. She also took part in three award-winning documentary films produced by her husband, filmmaker Jean-Daniel Lafond.
On September 27, 2005, Mme Jean was sworn in as 27th Governor General and
Commander-in-Chief of Canada. During her time in office, Madame Jean made youth
a priority of her mandate and transformed the institution she occupied into a
meeting place where dialogue prevailed and citizen voices were heard. A fervent
practitioner of “cultural diplomacy,” she led forty missions and State visits
abroad in Afghanistan, in China, in ten African countries, in nine countries in
the Americas, and ten European countries.
Mme Jean is a Companion of the Order of Canada (CC) and has won numerous awards, including the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Canada Award; the National Quality Institute’s Board of Governors Recognition Achievement Award; Prix Anik for best information reporting in Canada; and the inaugural Amnesty International Canada Journalism Award. The Assemblée internationale des parlementaires de langue française bestowed upon her the Ordre des Chevaliers de La Pléiade. In addition, the Universities Fighting World Hunger international network oversees the new Michaëlle Jean Award.
Besides her role as President of FMJF, Mme Jean is very involved in the reconstruction of her country of birth, as UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti. She is also Chancellor of the University of Ottawa, President of the Institut
québécois des hautes études internationales of the University of Laval as well as a Board member of the Toronto Luminato Festival.
2014 DreamKEEPERS Citation for Outstanding Leadership: Heyam Qirbi
Heyam has called Ottawa home, for forty years. She was born and raised in Yemen. She is wife, mother and passionate community builder and business woman. As a Canadian citizen, her vision and hope centers on “how we could together help improve and enhance the beautiful face of Canada, at home and globally.” Her work is organized around “Mothers for Peace".
Trained as a teacher; is a graduate in Third Party Mediation; and with Leadership Ottawa in community-building.
Along with her own community building initiatives, through Mothers for Peace, she is the ultimate “go to” person when “roll up your sleeves and help” work is need for making Ottawa a better, more compassionate, stronger, more cohesive; more embracing community.
Heyam's civic activities in the community at large, engage the diversity of Canadians, from First Nations to the newest arrival. Her community volunteer work includes service through “get out the vote” and other civic engagement activities, and service with : the Canadian Cancer Society, the Queensway Carleton Hospital; the Arab- Canadian Women’s Association (AQWA); the Ottawa Muslim Women’s Association, Katimavik; the Mosque; the Ottawa Muslim-Christian Interfaith Dialogue, the YWCA International Fair; the program Mothers of Children Juggling Cultures (for which she received support from the Ministry for delivery of AQWA Education and Training); Every Child Is Sacred (of which she is a founding member, to promote the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Canada is a signatory); Reconciliation Day in Ottawa, Black History Month program (for which she is a founding member, to promote reconciliation among Canadians; with particular focus on First Nations and persons of African heritage.); the Famous 5 Foundation; Human Concern International (which helps help alleviate human suffering through sustainable development projects and emergency relief programs that foster self-reliance and preserve human dignity).
Trained as a teacher; is a graduate in Third Party Mediation; and with Leadership Ottawa in community-building.
Along with her own community building initiatives, through Mothers for Peace, she is the ultimate “go to” person when “roll up your sleeves and help” work is need for making Ottawa a better, more compassionate, stronger, more cohesive; more embracing community.
Heyam's civic activities in the community at large, engage the diversity of Canadians, from First Nations to the newest arrival. Her community volunteer work includes service through “get out the vote” and other civic engagement activities, and service with : the Canadian Cancer Society, the Queensway Carleton Hospital; the Arab- Canadian Women’s Association (AQWA); the Ottawa Muslim Women’s Association, Katimavik; the Mosque; the Ottawa Muslim-Christian Interfaith Dialogue, the YWCA International Fair; the program Mothers of Children Juggling Cultures (for which she received support from the Ministry for delivery of AQWA Education and Training); Every Child Is Sacred (of which she is a founding member, to promote the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Canada is a signatory); Reconciliation Day in Ottawa, Black History Month program (for which she is a founding member, to promote reconciliation among Canadians; with particular focus on First Nations and persons of African heritage.); the Famous 5 Foundation; Human Concern International (which helps help alleviate human suffering through sustainable development projects and emergency relief programs that foster self-reliance and preserve human dignity).
2014 DreamKEEPERS Citation for Outstanding Leadership: Allison Fisher
Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health’s executive director Allison Fisher, an Odawa originally from Wikemikong on Manitoulin Island, joined the centre less than a year after it opened its doors in 1998. Allison led Wabano from its small roots to an award-winning health centre and leader in
community-based, holistic care.
An advocate for Aboriginal child and youth
mental health, Allison sits on various health policy development tables. She is
co-chair of the Champlain LHIN’s Aboriginal Health Circle Forum, a founder and continuing member of the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition, a network of Aboriginal community service agencies in the city.
Allison has dedicated her career to creating healthy and inclusive communities. She has received numerous awards, including the Order of Ottawa and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, for her efforts.
community-based, holistic care.
An advocate for Aboriginal child and youth
mental health, Allison sits on various health policy development tables. She is
co-chair of the Champlain LHIN’s Aboriginal Health Circle Forum, a founder and continuing member of the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition, a network of Aboriginal community service agencies in the city.
Allison has dedicated her career to creating healthy and inclusive communities. She has received numerous awards, including the Order of Ottawa and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, for her efforts.
2013 DreamKEEPERS Citation for Outstanding Leadership: Brian Charania
Mansoorali (Brian) Charania
Thousands of Ismaili Muslims were among the Asians expelled from Uganda in 1972 by Idi Amin. While other countries balked and protested, Canada was making room for about 6,000 of the suddenly penniless refugees, among them a large contingent of Ismailis. Since 1994, Mansoorali Charania, known as Brian, has traveled the Queensway each morning and afternoon through the winter months,
rescuing broken-down drivers by offering a boost, a cell phone or a warm coffee -- completely free of charge. In the capital, they call him the Angel of the Highway.
Thousands of Ismaili Muslims were among the Asians expelled from Uganda in 1972 by Idi Amin. While other countries balked and protested, Canada was making room for about 6,000 of the suddenly penniless refugees, among them a large contingent of Ismailis. Since 1994, Mansoorali Charania, known as Brian, has traveled the Queensway each morning and afternoon through the winter months,
rescuing broken-down drivers by offering a boost, a cell phone or a warm coffee -- completely free of charge. In the capital, they call him the Angel of the Highway.
2013 DreamKEEPERS Life Achievement Award : Patricia Bebia Mawa, President of Planet Africa Group, Toronto
Patricia Bebia Mawa is the Host and Producer of Planet Africa Television, a
weekly television series that is broadcast across Canada on OMNI Television. It
was the first English language television series on African heritage and current
affairs produced in Canada and syndicated worldwide. Patricia is also the
Managing Editor of Planet Africa Magazine, a publication focusing on African
success stories, experiences and aspirations. In addition, Patricia serves as
Producer of Arise on CTS Television and Destiny Television on Grace TV.
Patricia was the production coordinator for “The Routes of Freedom”, a
documentary film produced for the Government of Ontario by Planet Africa to
commemorate the 200th year of the Abolition of the British Slave trade Act. She
is also the producer of the biography series; ‘The Luminaries”Prior to coming to
Canada, Patricia was the Host of "Lunch Date" a daily talk show, and “Thinking
About You” on DBN Television in Lagos, Nigeria.
Listed in "Who’s Who in Black Canada", Patricia holds a Bachelor of Science
degree in Political Science and a Multimedia diploma from Algonquin College of Science and Technology, in Ottawa.
A recipient of the Toronto Police Community Service Award, Patricia was instrumental in the creation and implementation of the Crossover Mentorship program, a 13 weeks mentorship program run by Planet Africa Group.
weekly television series that is broadcast across Canada on OMNI Television. It
was the first English language television series on African heritage and current
affairs produced in Canada and syndicated worldwide. Patricia is also the
Managing Editor of Planet Africa Magazine, a publication focusing on African
success stories, experiences and aspirations. In addition, Patricia serves as
Producer of Arise on CTS Television and Destiny Television on Grace TV.
Patricia was the production coordinator for “The Routes of Freedom”, a
documentary film produced for the Government of Ontario by Planet Africa to
commemorate the 200th year of the Abolition of the British Slave trade Act. She
is also the producer of the biography series; ‘The Luminaries”Prior to coming to
Canada, Patricia was the Host of "Lunch Date" a daily talk show, and “Thinking
About You” on DBN Television in Lagos, Nigeria.
Listed in "Who’s Who in Black Canada", Patricia holds a Bachelor of Science
degree in Political Science and a Multimedia diploma from Algonquin College of Science and Technology, in Ottawa.
A recipient of the Toronto Police Community Service Award, Patricia was instrumental in the creation and implementation of the Crossover Mentorship program, a 13 weeks mentorship program run by Planet Africa Group.
2012 recipient of the DreamKEEPERS Citation for Outstanding Leadership
June Girvan
June Girvan has devoted her life to nurturing, protecting affirming and giving voice to children and young people. June moved from Kingston, Jamaica to Canada in the 1950s. She has invested her talents and resources to bettering the lives of newly arrived Canadians, vulnerable children in the school system and youth at-risk. She established the J’Nikira Dinqinesh Education Centre which offers programs that commemorate and celebrate the pioneers who championed anti-slavery, human rights and social justice in Canada. June initiated a program at Carleton University to expand students’ experience and understanding of inclusive citizenship in multicultural societies. The June Girvan Bursary is awarded annually to a graduate student researching a topic related to reconciliation.
Source: United Way/Centraide Ottawa
Source: United Way/Centraide Ottawa
2012 recipient of the DreamKEEPERS Life Achievement Award
Jüstin Laku
Justin (pronounced Hüstin) is a Sudanese-born Canadian, raised in Sudan and
educated in Sudan, Egypt, Germany and currently pursuing Ph.D. His
research interests focus on the role of African diaspora in development in
Africa and the Myth of International Development Assistance in Africa. Hüstin
has published several articles dealing with African politics, human rights, international relations and various other topics.
Internationally, Hüstin was a staff member of the United Nations Mission in Iraq, Sudan, and a former advisor to the Canadian Secretary of State for Africa and Latin America and Asia Pacific at Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International trade and currently member staff of Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA) in Ottawa. Hüstin is founding member of African Diaspora Association of Canada. He helped created Sudan Health Care Project (SHCP) to improve Public Health Care in South Sudan through Knowledge Transfer, Professional Development and Capacity Building. Through SHCP, Hüstin collected and sent 5000 medical textbooks, medical equipment and medical supplies to Juba health institute, Juba teaching hospital, and Juba University. Moreover, SHCP equipped 13 medical clinics around Juba the capital of government of South Sudan (GoSS).
Moreover, Hüstin has lectured on Sudanese issues in the United States, Canadian universities, the Canadian military academy in Kingston, Rome, Berlin, Innsbruck, Geneva, London, Slovenia and Amsterdam. As a member of an advisory body on Sudan, Hüstin also works closely with the UN, foreign actors and other governmental agencies on issues related to Sudan.
educated in Sudan, Egypt, Germany and currently pursuing Ph.D. His
research interests focus on the role of African diaspora in development in
Africa and the Myth of International Development Assistance in Africa. Hüstin
has published several articles dealing with African politics, human rights, international relations and various other topics.
Internationally, Hüstin was a staff member of the United Nations Mission in Iraq, Sudan, and a former advisor to the Canadian Secretary of State for Africa and Latin America and Asia Pacific at Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International trade and currently member staff of Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA) in Ottawa. Hüstin is founding member of African Diaspora Association of Canada. He helped created Sudan Health Care Project (SHCP) to improve Public Health Care in South Sudan through Knowledge Transfer, Professional Development and Capacity Building. Through SHCP, Hüstin collected and sent 5000 medical textbooks, medical equipment and medical supplies to Juba health institute, Juba teaching hospital, and Juba University. Moreover, SHCP equipped 13 medical clinics around Juba the capital of government of South Sudan (GoSS).
Moreover, Hüstin has lectured on Sudanese issues in the United States, Canadian universities, the Canadian military academy in Kingston, Rome, Berlin, Innsbruck, Geneva, London, Slovenia and Amsterdam. As a member of an advisory body on Sudan, Hüstin also works closely with the UN, foreign actors and other governmental agencies on issues related to Sudan.
The DreamKEEPERS Life Achievement Award is a glass, gold-blasted, desk-top memorial that has been presented in past years to the Rt. Hon. Michaëlle Jean, Michael “Pinball” Clemons, Hon. Jean Augustine, Hon. Alvin Curling, Marlene Jennings, Sen. Donald Oliver, Rev. Dr. Anthony Bailey, Howard McCurdy, Grandfather William Commanda, Joanne St. Lewis, Black Theatre Workshop, Ottawa Mayor Bob Chiarelli and Rt. Hon. Joe Clark, among others.
Criteria for the DreamKEEPERS Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is given annually, on the occasion of Martin Luther King Day celebrations in the Nation’s capital, to an individual or individuals [or organization(s)] which have demonstrated themselves to be a role model in Canada and beyond for the values, and have promoted in their lifetime the principles, of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. such as:
Social Justice
Minority Rights
Racial Harmony
Spiritual Values
And the advancement of his dream of the ‘Beloved Community’
Criteria for the DreamKEEPERS Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is given annually, on the occasion of Martin Luther King Day celebrations in the Nation’s capital, to an individual or individuals [or organization(s)] which have demonstrated themselves to be a role model in Canada and beyond for the values, and have promoted in their lifetime the principles, of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. such as:
Social Justice
Minority Rights
Racial Harmony
Spiritual Values
And the advancement of his dream of the ‘Beloved Community’