More than a hundred Londoners packed into downtown’s Wolf Performance Hall on Sunday afternoon to celebrate another year of achievements by members of local Black communities.

The fifth annual Essence and Culture Awards (ECA) were hosted by the London Afrocentric Arts Association (LACA) in the southwestern Ontario city. The event continues to find new ways to honour leaders in the community.

“We want to find the people who are doing things to make their communities better and make London better,” said LACA executive director Colin Caleb. “The end result is you come here, you get rewarded and people appreciate.”

The event initially started in 2022 as a way to uplift the local Black community in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Caleb said, but has since grown into a tradition that inspires the next generation of success stories.

“I’ve been in London for close to 30 years and it wasn’t always like this. I remember walking down the street and not being able to see as many Black faces. Now, you get to see them in different professions,” Caleb said.

“You see more heroes in our community and more role models. When you bring your kids here, they get to see who they can become.”

First Woman of the Year winner announced

Approximately two dozen awards were handed out during the ceremony. They included awards recognizing Londoners’ contributions to the arts, education, science, local events and community service. 

The ECA Woman of the Year award, a new category, was given to London police Deputy Chief Treena MacSween.

“I’m a little bit starstruck at the fact that my picture’s even in this program. I know there are other amazing women within the London community who are just as worth for this award,” MacSween said. “I’m humbled.”

MacSween pointed out that this year’s ECA took place on International Women’s Day, making her win all the more important.

“International Women’s Day is very near and dear to my heart for a bunch of reasons. I obviously work in a male-dominated profession and trying to move the needle and increase representation for women officers is really important to me.

“Also, I’m a mother of two daughters. I want my girls to know they can dream big, leap far, go wherever they want to go, and let their wings take them as high as they want to fly.”

Winners celebrate successes

Inspiring young people is a daily activity for Outstanding Educator award winner Mary Bamimore. 

A teacher at Fanshawe College, Bamimore said she thinks being born in Nigeria, raised in Saudi Arabia and going to school in Canada gave her a diverse perspective that resonates with her students. 

“I think it’s made me comfortable with difference,” said Bamimore. “I think it makes me approachable, it makes it easy to interact with people, and that was recognized. 

“I’m grateful for the recognition and this motivates me to do more – do more for the community and do more as a person as well.”

The event was co-hosted by Saidat and Gee Gethiga. Gethiga, a comedian, won an award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts.

“It’s just been a blessed night. My mom is here. Family and friends who saw me grow up in this city and they know I love this city are [also here,]” said Gethiga, who previously won an ECA for Entertainer of the Year. 

“Maybe the first one was a fluke, but this one solidifies it.”

In addition to the main category awards, The London Black Heritage Council and local Legion recognized additional members of the community. 

A full list of winners from the ECA categories is below:

• Afro/ Caribbean/ World Artiste of the Year: Callel
• Community Service – Group/ Organization: Black Youth Connect
• Community Service – Individual: Nadia McCormack-McIntyre
• DJ of the Year – Club/ Event/ Wedding: Fresh Czz
• DJ of the Year – East Region: Dava Ranks
• DJ of the Year – Online/ Radio: Starchild
• DJ of the Year – West Region: 8ball
• ECA Woman of the Year: Treena MacSween (Deputy Chief, London Police Service)
• Favourite Community Event: Emancipation Day (London Black Historical Council)
• Favourite Community Event – Festival: Island Fest
• Gospel/ Contemporary Artiste of the Year: London Kids Community Gospel Choir
• Hip Hop/ Rap Artiste of the Year: Cameron James
• Outstanding Contribution to the Arts: Gee Gethiga
• Outstanding Educator: Dr. Mary Bamimore
• Outstanding Contributions to Health/ Medicine/ Science: Dr. Isaac Luginaah 
• Rhythm & Soul Artiste of the Year: Tiffany Chantelle
• The New Horizon – New Artiste of the Year: Malik Palacio
• Youth Achievement – Post-Secondary: Joshua Williams
• Youth Achievement – Secondary School: Jayda Bowlin

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.