Renowned Ottawa criminal lawyer Lawrence Greenspon received the Black History Ottawa President’s award at the virtual launch of the 2021 Black History Month on Saturday 30 January 2021. Mr. Greenspon’s citation from Black History Ottawa President, June Girvan, read:
As we continue to highlight the U.N. Decade for People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice and Development (2015-2024), and celebrate the many achievements and valuable contributions made by, and on behalf of the Black community, we deemed it fitting to publicly recognize your leadership and community engagement: specifically your role in representing marginalized and vulnerable individuals against governments, institutions, insurance companies and corporations, alongside your many other community-building and advocacy activities.
In his response, Greenspon wrote:
I am truly honored to be recognized in this way. I needn’t tell you that Black History Month and the focus, awareness, engagement, and education that it embodies is Now more than ever, a critical tool to effect the change that has been so clearly called for…
Greenspon is a graduate of Ottawa University Law School and a member of its Honour Society.
In 1981, International Year of the Disabled Person, Lawrence Greenspon co-founded REACH, the Resource Education Advocacy Centre for the Handicapped and was a Chair and Board member of the organization for over 10 years.
He has been awarded the Gordon Henderson Award (County of Carleton Law Association) and the Advocates’ Society Award of Justice.
He has also chaired the United Way Community Services cabinet, CAYFO (Child and Youth Friendly Ottawa), the Multicultural Centre, the Jewish Community Centre, Motorcycle Ride for Dad and the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation.
In 2011, Lawrence inspired and created the Nordic Pole Walk for Cancer Survivor Care to support the programs and services of the new Maplesoft Centre in Ottawa.
He has volunteered by cycling, paddling, dancing (Dancing with the Stars for Easter Seals), Nordic Pole walking, playing hockey, boxing for Fight for the Cure, organizing, leading and auctioning for hundreds of charities in Canada, the Caribbean, Asia, the Far East and Africa.
He has been honoured as a CAYFO Champion and he has twice received the Golden Apple Award (the Ottawa Food Bank), the Quality of Life Award from St. Joe’s Women’s Centre, the Lifetime Achievement Award (Volunteer Ottawa) and the Community Builder of the Year Award (2008).
Sources: Black History Ottawa & Greenspon Granger Hill
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