The Legacy Awards celebrate Black excellence in Canada

October 5, 2022

Excellence was regally celebrated at the Black Academy inaugural Legacy Awards in Toronto on September 23.

Television personality Kayla Grey, who in 2018 became the first Black woman to host a flagship sports highlight show in Canada when she debuted on SportsCentre, was the recipient of the Jahmil French Award named after the late Canadian actor most noted for his role as ‘Dave Turner’ in ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation’.

Barely able to contain her emotions, Grey thanked Black Academy founders Stephan James and Shamier Anderson for creating the awards that recognize Black Canadian talent and rising stars.

Brothers Stephan James (l) & Shamier Anderson conceived the idea for The Legacy Awards (Photo by Ron Fanfair)

The show was broadcast live during prime time on CBC and CBC Gem.

“Look at our beauty, our strength, what resides within these four walls,” the 29-year-old TSN sports anchor tearfully said. “And if that energy could talk, what would it say – how we move individually, collectively which leads me to ask, ‘What the heck are they so afraid of’? I am so grateful for spaces and nights like this one tonight because we are reminded of who we do it for, but most importantly, why we do it.

“Love, the labour of it. It is why we keep showing up doing the work, speaking up, creating, challenging, checking, demanding and sharing so much of ourselves. In my case, trying my best to create a safe space for others to share a piece of themselves in hopes that someone out there can see the value in doing the same. Guys, our stories are the gifts. They are the blueprint, messy just starting, still developing, revised or restarted. What an act of love to share your gift, regardless of its form with the world. Thank you to everyone who has trusted me with that.”

Award-winning actress, filmmaker and entrepreneur Fabienne Colas was honoured with the Visionnaire Award.

Fabienne Colas was the recipient of the Visionnaire Award (Photo by Ron Fanfair)

Canada’s first Black Governor General Michaelle Jean, who like Colas settled in Quebec after migrating from Haiti, made the presentation.

“To be a Black Francophone woman in Canada is to experience the intersection of multiple and unique perspectives,” she said. “…It allows us to see more subtleties of light and darkness, how shine and shadow meet and melt to create texture, story and meaning. I have really enjoyed being a proud native of Haiti…My ancestors initiated the first global wave of emancipation and decolonization, igniting the worldwide freedom movement still alive today. Here is one legacy we are here to honour tonight, the unapologetic creative power of Black Francophone women, a shared experience that gave rise to a unique spirit, a form of persistent creative resistance that knows how to turn predicament into achievement.”

To receive the award from Jean was special for Colas who was a Canada Top 40 Under 40 honouree in 2018.

Canada’s first Black Governor General Michaelle Jean was honoured to present the Visionnaire Award to Fabienne Colas (Photo by Ron Fanfair)

“I grew up watching Michaelle Jean presenting the news at Radio-Canada from Haiti when I was a little girl and my mom said, ‘Oh, she’s talented and she looks like a Haitian person,” she related. “I said, ‘If she is, one day if I go to Canada, I will like to meet her. I came to Canada in 2003 and in 2005, she became Canada’s first Black Governor General. I was like, ‘Ok, I will never be able to meet that woman because she is like far out of reach’. She has been a friend, mentor and a guide for me ever since. By her becoming the first Black Governor General, she led me and so much women of colour to dream a bigger dream for themselves.”

A teen model and actress who was crowned Miss Haiti in 2000, Colas came to Montreal three years later and landed roles in various cinematic productions. In 2008, she created and directed her first film, ‘Minuit’, a narrative feature on voodoo in which she also played the lead role.

She launched the Montreal International Black Film Festival in 2005 and the Toronto Black Film Festival eight years later.

Noting that cinema and television are mirrors of society that should reflect the demographic reality, Colas lamented the lack of diversity behind the camera.

“Whoever is behind the camera has a direct impact of what story is being told, how it is being told and who is cast in from of that camera,” she said.

Colas, who manages 12 film festivals, had a strong message for young people chasing their dreams.

“They will call you crazy, they will say you are outspoken and too over the top and everything else,” she pointed out. “You know what – other people’s opinion of you is none of your business. You keep going, you keep following your dreams because when the dream is big enough, facts don’t count. You go.”

Six-time Olympic medallist Andre De Grasse was recognized for his extraordinary athletic accomplishments.

Six-time Olympic medallist Andre De Grasse shows off his custom-made jacket on the Black carpet (Ron Fanfair)

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, he became the first Canadian athlete to win medals in the 100, 200 and 4x100-metre events. Four years later in Tokyo, he captured the 200-metre gold medal.

In thanking the Black Academy for the special honour, De Grasse also acknowledged his mother, Beverley De Grasse, for the sacrifices she made, his wife Nia Ali and their children, Tony Sharpe who was his first coach, his management team and other family members and friends.

Andre De Grasse & his mom Beverley De Grasse (Photo by Ron Fanfair)

“You guys keep me grounded and encourage me to be the best version of myself,” he said. “Thank you for the support through all my ups and downs…Though track and field is an individual sport, you really need a community in your corner to compete at such a high level. Thanks to everyone that supported me throughout my journey.”

Reality TV star Ika Wong won the Digital Creator Fan Choice Award.

In December 2020, James and Anderson, who are brothers, created the Black Academy that is an extension of B.L.A.C.K (Building A Legacy in Acting, Cinema & Knowledge) which they started in 2016 to facilitate the development of young and emerging Black talent in the entertainment industry.

“Andre, Kayla and Fabienne are leaders in their respective fields and in our community,” said James who won a Canadian Screen Award in 2017. “My brother and I are thrilled that The Legacy Awards are recognizing their amazing accomplishments, their dedication to their work and their passion for the community.”

Several prominent Canadian entertainers performed at the inaugural show at History, Canada’s newest entertainment venue.

Award-winning singer/songwriter/actress Deborah Cox (Photo by Ron Fanfair)

They included Deborah Cox, K-OS, Keysha Freshh, Kardinal Offishall, Fefe Dobson, Melanie Fiona, SATE, Savannah Re, Shantel May, Alicia Mighty, Izzy-S, Jully Black and Randell Adjei who is Ontario’s first Poet Laureate.

CBC has an exclusive three-year partnership with The Legacy Awards.