Comments
We almost never get to see African-Canadian history in the making and we almost never get to meet its makers. Instead, we have to use the year's shortest and coldest month, February, to remind ourselves why Rosemary Brown was important, why Oliver Jones is significant, just who Sylvia Hamilton is, anyway, and how many Black people are in the House of Commons or the Senate. [This] majestic, classy, informative, and savvy masterpiece of research and style, Who's Who in Black Canada, means you, we, don't have any excuse for ignorance anymore about who's doing what where and about how to reach that stellar, African individual who's out there, accomplishing, despite the cold and the loneliness that the world's second-largest country gives us — just for a challenge.
...[This] solid, encyclopedic tome has done what all the Royal Commissions and house parties couldn't do: bring us all — our diverse, multicultural all — together. Here, Black attorneys and Black athletes and Black artists are all united. We must thank...with the loudest, big-up applause, for showing us — and naming for us — our best and brightest while they're still alive to enjoy it.
Dr. George Elliott Clarke, Ph.D.,
LLD (Hon.), D.Litt. (Hon.)
Associate Professor, English
University of Toronto & Laureate
Governor-General's Award for English, 2001
Every once in a while, something happens that helps a people define their place in society. Release of the Who's Who in Black Canada is such an event. Finally there is documented and concrete proof that the black race is a positive contributor to the Canadian experience. The book also provides a positive roadmap for black-Canadian youth as they aspire to succeed while seeking complete integration into the Canadian society.
Jude Igwemezie, Ph.D., P.Eng.
President
Applied Rail Research Technologies
Brampton, Ontario
An invaluable reference book for all federal, provincial and territorial governments interested in 'colouring' their ranks and their advisory committees. Here are the bios of outstanding Black Canadians who have much to contribute to public policy in this country.
Gloria Baylis, Founder & CEO
Baylis Medical Company
Montreal, Quebec
Congratulations! you are to be commended for the idea and having the fortitude to stay with it and getting it done...Time should confirm the value of your efforts.
Brian C. Alleyne
Clinical Epidemiologist & Lecturer
University of Alberta
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your wonderful and comprehensive work compiling this extensive directory.... I am amazed with the number of personnel you were able to contact across the country.
Kirk Mark, M.Ed.
Advisor, Race and Ethnic Relations
Toronto Catholic District School Board
Congratulations on producing such an informative, well needed, elegant book. Well done!
Carole Law-Bancroft
Music Teacher & Examiner
Royal Conservatory of Music
Toronto, Ontario
I would like to congratulate you on your recent publication of this comprehensive biographical directory of outstanding Black-Canadian achievers. Black-Canadians continue to make significant contributions to the public service, and I am pleased to see that some of these exceptional individuals have been profiled in your book.
Jim Judd
Secretary of the Treasury Board
and Comptroller General of Canada
Treasury Board of Canada
I... compliment you on producing such a commendable representation of Black contribution to our great country, Canada. It exemplifies the very fact that we as a race did not just come to Canada, but played, and still play a very strong part in the building of our nation. It also demonstrates deep family values, which is the core of any country. I haven't been able to put it down.
Robert Williams "Bud" Jones, CD
Historian and Lecturer
Anne Packwood Quebec Afro-Canadian Research Institute
Brockville, Ontario
Congratulations on the publication of the directory, Who's Who in Black Canada. I am really delighted that finally a Black has taken the initiative to do a serious documentation of Black success stories. I hope you will update it periodically because there are many Blacks who, after seeing your serious work, are now interested in identifying themselves or know a Black who accomplished or broke the racial barrier in Canada. Frankly, I was skeptical when I initially learnt about your project and did not want to participate in an 'amateur' endeavour. Seeing the directory, I am very pleased and regret not participating but ... I will definitely do so next time.
Name withheld
London, Ontario