Laureats 2010

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Laureats 2010

	February 2010 Don Jordon Don Jordan is the first Afro-Canadian president of ACTRA (The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television, and Radio Artists). He is also an actor, singer, choreographer, master dance teacher, and director. He is a native Montrealer who began his career at the age of 15 as the lead dancer on CFCF TV’s “Like Young Show” in the early 1960’s. He was the first Afro-Canadian in Quebec to be featured on a weekly television show lasting 6 years,
	March 2010 Henriette Kandula Henriette Kandula is a Quebecer originally from Democratic Republic of Congo and has been living in Quebec for more than 20 years. Holder of a Laval University Baccalaureate in Sociology, she earned a Sherbrooke University Masters in science with a cooperative development management option. Being an active woman, Henriette Kandula has been implicating herself in the community milieu, since 1993, on many levels. Right now, she is on many boards of directors for organisations like: Afrique au Féminin, an immigrant women’s center she she is president, ACCÉSSS (Alliance des communautés culturelles pour l’égalité et l’accessibilité aux soins de santé et des services sociaux; grouping more than a hundred community organisations) where she is vice-president and of Chantier d’Afrique du Canada (CHAFRIC) where she is general director.
	April 2010 JEAN PASCAL Jean Pascal, the World Boxing Council (WBC) Light Heavyweight Champion, makes Haitians as well as Quebecois very proud. On December 11th 2009, Jean Pascal defended his recently earned title in a rematch against Adrian Diaconu at the Bell Center. Pascal won by unanimous decision, like in his first fight against Diaconu. This fight has shown that Jean Pascal is not only the best in his category, but also a very courageous young man: he continued the fight with a shoulder wound suffered during the fifth round. He was able to go through 13 rounds against a strong Diaconu while grimacing and using only one arm. Boasting a 25-victories (16 by KO) to one loss record, Jean Pascal is undoubtedly one of the best boxers in Quebec history. At the end of 2009, “Ring Magazine” rated Pascal 65th best boxer in the world in their yearly top hundred rankings. Jean Pascal’s name is featured for the first time.
	May 2010 Steve Bastien Steve Bastien, actor and Haitian-born artist, chairs the board of African Rainbow, the organization dedicated to supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of African or Caribbean origin living in Quebec. Steve is both a pioneer and role model for black Quebecois openly living as gay. With his partner for over ten years, he challenges his black brothers and sisters to drop prejudices regarding homosexuality. His example and his activism demonstrate that one can live his homosexuality, feel good about oneself and be an asset for the entire community. He is regularly invited as a speaker on the issue of double discrimination, homophobia and racism. Empathy, respect for difference and listening are fundamental values of his work with youth. His lifestyle accords sexual and cultural diversity their rightful importance. Steve has become a model for all young people.
	June 2010 Simone Lissade-Métellus In the Black communities of Montreal – and beyond - Simone Lissade-Métellus is a great source of inspiration for numerous reasons: she is very involved in the communities, always ready to lend a hand, dynamic, respectful, and… stylish! Born and raised in Haiti she came to Montreal in 1965, after a stay in New-York, with her husband Jérôme and their children. The family immediately became very involved in their new city, volunteering in diverse activities in the larger community as well as within the young Haitian community. For over twenty years Simone pursued her teaching career while studying and keeping a somewhat traditional household. She received numerous degrees at McGill University (B.A. in Education in 1979 and a Special Education Degree in 1985) and also completed several certificates and specializations at McGill as well as Université de Montréal.
	July 2010 Will Prosper Will Prosper is one of the founders and spokespersons of the citizen’s group Montréal-Nord Republik (MNR) a group renowned for its contribution in starting the public inquiry in the case of the murder of Fredy Villanueva. MNR’s objective is to reunite Montreal-North’s community and to make Montreal’s population aware of the economic, social, cultural and sometimes political insecurities of the area. Will Prosper is also the initiator of Hoodstock, an event created to “organize and elevate” as is its slogan says. Hoodstock is the first social forum to take place in Montreal-North., a 2-day event that includes a musical show done with the participation of socially-aware artists.
	August 2010 Elisabeth Verona Vargas Elisabeth Verona Vargas was born in Santa Cruz, Trinidad & Tobago. She migrated to the U.S.’ Virgin Island in Ste-Croix and studied nursing. Upon graduation, she found work in Tortola (British Virgin Islands). Elisabeth then migrated to Canada in 1970. She never stopped volunteering throughout all of her activities. Mrs Vargas was honored for her dedicated involvement in the community by police station PDQ 15. Mrs Vargas has served as Chairperson of the Board of the Little Burgundy Coalition for the past 12 years and is still very active in the community.
	September 2010 Jean-Ernest Célestin Born in Haiti, Commander Jean-Ernest Célestin has worked for Montreal’s Police Department (SPVM) since 1991. He has been chief of Precinct 15 since January 2008. He is the first black commander. When he started as a police officer, he saw action as a double agent with the narcotics squad. His rose in the ranks to become a senior agent in the Rosemont/Petite-Patrie district. He joined the North Intervention Unit following a stint with the tactical group. Célestin is also a member of the ceremonial group of SPVM since its creation in 1992. Involved in the community, he stands out as a respected professional. Long ago he learned the importance of bridging the gap between the community and its police force. In 1992, Commander Célestin started playing on the SPVM soccer team. He has helped sensitize fellow police officers to the varied ethnic communities living in Montreal. He was chosen as a select team player for the Haitian Soccer League.
	October 2010 Amina Gerba Amina Nleung Gerba arrives in Canada in 1986. In 1991 she has completed a BA in Tourism Management (Marketing) and an MBA (Marketing and Services) in 1993. From 1992 to 1995, she works for Canadian companies helping them develop business opportunities in Africa. Upon realizing that the potential of this market is almost unknown to the companies she works with, she decides to create her own consultation firm Afrique Expansion Inc. In 1998, Ms Gerba creates her own biological shea butter cosmetics line. Kariderm is now available in over 400 locations in Canada, the United States and in Africa. The Association des productrices de beurre de Karité (shea butter) went from 20 to 2000 employees in 10 years. Ranked among Quebec’s 25 most influential women of the year 2008 in Les Affaires newspaper, Ms Gerba is a member of numerous boards of directors (Fonds Afro-entrepreneurs, Conseil Canadien pour l’Afrique et African Business Round Table).
	November 2010 Ed Vertus He introduces himself as a “Machan’n griyo” ! (griyo vendor). He sells griyo. He sells a lot of griyo. He sells his griyo to everyone and anyone. Ed Vertus is an ambassador for the Haitian culture. Over the past 6 years, through Kalalu’s and Flap Flap’s (first Haitian food franchise) cuisine, he has introduced more than half a million people to Haitian culture! His interest for the restaurant business comes from a desire to share his culture with others. He invites everyone to re-discover gastronomic pleasures from Haiti and the Caribbean, promising an extraordinary culinary travel! With Kalalu and Flap Flap he created trademarks within his community. When it comes to Haitian restaurants, he is THE reference!
	December 2010 Fabienne Colas Actress, director and producer Fabienne Colas gives herself heart & soul to bring independent cinema to the international scene, especially Black and Haitian cinema. This is one of the reasons why she founded the Fabienne Colas Foundation, who has created the annual cultural event “Haïti en Folie” and The International Black film Festival of Montreal (FIFBM), formerly known as Haitian Film Festival of Montreal. This Festival is now an important part of Quebec’s cultural diversity by promoting independent Canadian and foreign cinema. In March 2009, in a desire to strengthen relations between Quebec and Haiti, Fabienne Colas created the Quebec Film Festival in Haiti. The first edition was a huge success. The Haitian ministère à la Condition Féminine et aux Droits des Femmes (Status of Women and Women’s Rights) presented her with and Honour and Merit Award for her great contribution to the promotion of Haitian movies abroad.
	January 2011 Tyrone Benskin As Black Theatre Workshop’s Artistic Director, Benskin hopes to rediscover some of the lost stories and heroes of our culture and bring them back into the light through the art of storytelling. Over the last 25 years, British born Tyrone Benskin has distinguished himself amongst his peers in the entertainment world. From the title role in the “Phantom of the Opera” to the 71-year-old former slave Nelson Johns in the award winning “Wade in the Water”, Benskin has repeatedly shown his ability to play a wide range of challenging roles with depth and humanity. From the stages of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and the National Arts Centre, to the big screen and in his Canadian, American and International television roles, Benskin succeeded in making an indelible impression.

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