The awards were presented on Saturday, April 24th, 2010 in Toronto by the Black Business and Professional Association.
The awards are named after the late Harry Jerome, an outstanding sprinter who set several track-and-field records during the 1960’s and represented Canada in the Olympics, Pan-American Games and Commonwealth Games.
The premier Canadian track athlete of his time, Jerome’s athletic successes were partnered with scholastic excellence and social consciousness. Despite his relatively brief life, Jerome left all Canadians a proud legacy and a blueprint for success.
Kwesi Johnson was born in New Amsterdam, Guyana, where he spent the first five years of his life. At the age of 12, he developed a strong desire to contribute to community outreach. He also enjoyed exploring his surroundings, and these explorations brought him much joy. He saw the potential for the exploration of new and unchartered territories.
This dream soon became a reality, and was accompanied by a move to Kingston, Jamaica – and after a brief stopover in New York City, made a permanent landing at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. Growing up in the marginalized community of Malvern in Northern Scarborough had its share of challenges.
However, these challenges instilled in him a high level of discipline for the academics and compassion for community development. Having applied himself in whatever area of study he embarked on, he has been awarded numerous times for his hard work and dedication.
For example, at Centennial College he was awarded the Alumni of Distinction Award in 2008, and at Ryerson University, Gold Medal Award in 2009. Success has always been Johnson’s ultimate goal. After completing his Masters of Sociology in Education from the University of Toronto, Kwesi plans to pursue his PHD in International Child Studies.
He desires to use his academic success and extensive community engagement background to further develop practical ways of working with children and youth in the areas of motivation and resilience.
“If I can change the life of just one other human being, then life’s work will not have been in vain. My success in the academics will allow the passion for community development to remain ignited until this light shines no more,” remarked Kwesi.