Lana Ogilvie

Ricardo McRae — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:30:05 +0000

Super Model & TV Host, Born: Toronto, ON Lana Ogilvie is one of Canada's most internationally known models. In 1992, she became the first Black model to sign a multi-year contract with Cover Girl cosmetics company, and she appeared in the 1994 Sports Illustrated Swimsuits. Lana has modelled for a variety of magazines including Elle, Vogue, Glamour, Flare, Mademoiselle, Essence, and Harpers Bazaar. She has also appeared in advertisements for Gap, Banana Republic, Guess Jeans, Victoria’s Secret, and John Ga... Read more..

Peter Sloly

Ricardo McRae — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 04:30:45 +0000

Deputy Chief, Toronto Police Service, Toronto, ON. Born: Jamaica.

Deputy Chief Peter Sloly is in his 23rd year with the Toronto Police Service. Presently, he is in charge of Executive Command, which has over 400 civilian and uniform staff along with an operating budget of over $31 million. Executive Command is comprised of 4 pillars and 9 business units which include; Professional Standards Investigative Unit, Professional Standard Risk Management Unit, Legal Services, Corporate Communication... Read more..

Ricky Neckles

Ricardo McRae — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 04:30:19 +0000

Public Speaker / Community Servant / President, Neckles Global Enterprise Inc. (NGE) & Co-Founder, TNTech Canada Inc., Vancouver, BC. Born:St. Andrew’s, Grenada. As an Entrepreneur, Public Speaker, and Community Servant, the name Ricky Neckles is synonymous with excellence and leadership. His academic performance at the University of Toronto earned him the role of Business Development Analyst during his twelve-month internship at Nortel Networks. When Ricky graduat... Read more..

Fitzroy “Fitz The Whip” Vanderpool

Ricardo McRae — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 04:30:20 +0000

Boxer (Retired) / Coach / Trainer / Owner / President, Vanderpool Boxing & Fitness, Kitchener, ON. Born: Trinidad & Tobago.

Fitzroy Vanderpool is a boxing champion who has won national and international boxing titles. During his professional career from 1993-2005, he had a record of 24 wins (13 by KO), 6 losses, and 4 draws, and became World Boxing Council Cabofe Champion (2002); Canadian Welterweight Champion (1996); World Boxing Federation Inter-Continental Champion (1997); Worl... Read more..

Dr. Ouida Marina Wright – In Memoriam

Ricardo McRae — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 04:30:22 +0000

January 1928 - April 2011

Educator / Assistant Deputy Minister (Retired), Ontario Ministry of Education and Training, Toronto, ON. Born: Jamaica.

Dr. Ouida Wright, over the course of a lengthy professional career, held positions in teaching and administration in elementary and secondary schools in Jamaica, Ontario, and Quebec, as well as in universities in Quebec and Ontario. She also served as Assistant Deputy Minister in the Ont... Read more..

Dr. Nigel Thomas

Ricardo McRae — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 04:30:31 +0000

Writer / Professor (Retired), Université, Laval, QC. Born: St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

Dr. H. Nigel Thomas is a recently-retired Professor of American Literature at the Université Laval and an author of many publications including short stories, critical studies, poems and novels.

Dr. Thomas is one of the few authors to openly write and/or talk about being gay in the Caribbean. He spearheaded many initiatives in Montreal, where he lived from 1968-... Read more..

Sylvia Parris

Ricardo McRae — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 04:30:42 +0000

Educator / Social Justice Advocate / Policy Consultant, Nova Scotia Department of Education & Private Consultant, SVParris Consulting, Halifax, NS.

Sylvia Parris is a consultant in the Department of Education with the Nova Scotia provincial government. There she supports policy implementation and analysis, and provides professional development experiences for department, school boards and staff. Her skills and expertise have been utilized by other government departments such... Read more..

Kevin “Jedi” Barton

Ricardo McRae — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 04:30:34 +0000

Director / Content Producer / Brand Stylist, Toronto, ON. Born: Scarborough, ON.

Kevin “Jedi” Barton created the largest Urban Music department at Universal Music Group Canada. “Universal Urban” marketed and promoted high-profile artists such as, Eminem, Jay-Z, Method Man & Redman, DMX, Brian McKnight, Shaggy, Mary J. Blige, Lil Jon, Snoop & the EastSidaz, Common, The Roots, Kardinal Offishall, Tommy Lee, Jully Black, LL Cool J, 50 Cent, Black Eyed Peas, Eve, and many other in... Read more..

Muhtadi Thomas

Ricardo McRae — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 04:30:16 +0000

Percussionist / Founder / Artistic Director, Muhtadi Drumming Festival, Toronto, ON. Born: Trinidad & Tobago.

Muhtadi Thomas immigrated to Canada from Trinidad and Tobago in 1974. As one of Canada’s premier percussionists, Muhtadi plays djembe, bongos, congas, timbales, steel pan, and a wide assortment of other percussion instruments. He has performed extensively, both nationally and internationally; however, much of his career has been devoted to teaching the art of drumming in communi... Read more..

Dr. Afua Cooper

Ricardo McRae — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 04:30:57 +0000

Poet / Author / Historian, Toronto, ON. Born: Jamaica.

Dr. Afua Cooper is a celebrated and award-winning poet, author, historian, curator, performer, cultural worker, and recording artist. Her poems have been anthologized in national and international publications, and translated in several languages, and she has published five books of poetry, including the award-winning Memories Have Tongue. Her newest book of poetry, Copper Woman, is a work in which she attempts to bring... Read more..