Tuesday 3 March 2015
Ten black community leaders were among those inducted the City of Ottawa Wall of Inspiration, in acknowledgement of their initiative and outstanding community engagement. These Community Builder Award recipients have shown exemplary service to the community through their volunteer work. They are committed to building a stronger, healthier and safer Ottawa for everyone. More than 100 people attended the ceremony, which was hosted by United Way campaign co-chair Mark Sutcliffe and Recognition Team member Sarah Onyango. At the event, Deputy Mayor Bob Monette, United Way’s Chair of the Board Frank Bilodeau and Community Builder of the Year recipient Elizabeth Vered unveiled the newly inscribed names of the 2014 Community Builder Award recipients at the wall at Jean Pigott Hall. Community builders this year include Mike Neill from the Distress Centre, entrepreneur and philanthropist Susan Murphy and 12 year-old fundraiser Paige Thurlbeck, among many more. See the full list of 2014 Community Builder Award recipients.
Eglan has been part of the Jamaican Ottawa Community Association for more than 30 years, giving her time to various committees. In addition, she finds time to volunteer with The Friendly Corner group and their Wild about Walking event at the St. Laurent Shopping Plaza. Eglan also volunteers through the The Friendly Corner providing home bound seniors with exercise programs. Most recently, Eglan assisted the Friends of the National Youth Orchestra of Jamaica with their fundraising concerts to help the youth choir come to Canada.
Donette Grant-Anderson
Donette is extensively involved in a number of different organizations across the city. She plays a key role in fostering positive Canadian-Jamaican relationships and is passionate about the community in which she lives and works. She has volunteered with the Jamaican (Ottawa) Community Association, the Jamaica Diaspora Canada Foundation and the Community Police Action Committee to name a few. She’s also lent her time and talents to help with countless initiatives and events and can often be found volunteering with her church, or assisting children in need with their reading and writing skills.
Judith Headley
Judith has been a part of the Jamaican Ottawa Community Association (JOCA) for more than 11 years. She’s held several executive positions with the association, including Acting President. Judith is a great leader and ensures key events for JOCA, including their Canada Day event, are a great success. In addition to the time she gives to JOCA, Judith also volunteers with the Caribbean Union of Canada, the Afro Caribbean Cotillion and West Indian Transit Club.
Mylcha Kerr-Faucher
A grandmother, a volunteer and a committed member of the Ottawa community, Mylcha Kerr-Faucher wears many hats. For over 25 years, this grandmother of three has volunteered her time and wisdom to various organizations including the National Capital Alliance on Race Relations, the Urban Rural Mission and Ottawa Police Services. She also supported OCISO with their Domestic Program and worked with the Focus on Black Women and the Congress of Black Women. Mylcha has been instrumental in a number of initiatives and events, including the Jamday Festival, the Annual Brunch, the Heroes Banquet and the “Adopt a Gran” program through her continued work as a volunteer for the Jamaican (Ottawa) Community Association Inc.
Stefan Keyes
Stefan is a journalist, singer, and actor who has volunteered and supported his community for more than 10 years. Stefan works tirelessly to give back to the city by donating his time and energy to community organizations such as the arts education group MASC, the Michaelle Jean Foundation, Ottawa Community Housing, Black History Ottawa, Rhema Christian Centre, the Ottawa School of Speech and Drama, and the Jamaican Ottawa Community Association.
Lennox Puckerin
Lennox Puckerin has been an influential force in the community for many years. Lennox began his music career at the tender age of 15 and has shared his talent ever since by mentoring young men looking to break into the DJ scene in Ottawa. The voice of many popular programs on CHUO and CKCU, Lennox also formed “Youth of Today”, an organization that supported young break dancers and DJs in Ottawa. Youth of Today gave aspiring young artists in our city an outlet to perform their talents without any intervention from authorities. Outside of his music career, Lennox has volunteered for the Jerry Lewis Telethon, the Jamaican (Ottawa) Community Association Inc. and Club SOCCA. In 2007, Lennox was honoured by the Ontario government for 20 years of community service. He has also received a number of awards recognizing his volunteer work and his contribution to the music scene of Ottawa and beyond.
Moses Robinson
Moses, or Robbie as he likes to be known, joined the Jamaican Association in 1977 and has been an active volunteer with the association ever since. Moses also volunteers with St. Margaret’s Anglican Church and St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa. Moses is known for always being there for his fellow colleagues and is always more than happy to lend a helping hand with our community.
Mohammed Said
Mohammed Said has volunteered for over 13 years and is involved with a number of different organizations across the city. He served as director on the boards for the Southeast Ottawa Community Health Centre, the Hunt Club Riverside Community and the Sudanese Community Association of Ottawa. Through the Children’s Aid Society (CAS), Mohammed is involved with a pilot project initiated in collaboration with the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration in London, Ontario. The objective of the project is to support Muslim families involved with CAS and reduce the number of Muslim children in care. Mohammed is approached by many professionals in the community because he is seen as an expert with child welfare services and he fosters positive relationships for Children’s Aid in the community.
Renford Thomas
Renford volunteers his time with many organizations including ParaTranspo, United Way and the Jamaican Ottawa Community Association. With all three organizations he has sat on various boards and committees to support the good work that they do. As part of an annual tradition, every Labour Day weekend, Renford volunteers his time serving food at McNabb Park, which has earned him the nickname “corn man” for serving up fresh cooked corn to people at the park enjoying the last weekend of summer.
Lurline Wright
Lurline has been an active volunteer in the Ottawa community for many years and continues to support various charities. She is a long-time member of the seniors group at The First Unitarian Church, where she volunteers her time to prepare special lunches for the seniors. Lurline is also an active member of the Jamaican Ottawa Community Association, serving on the executive team in a variety of capacities. She is an integral part of the association and has helped bring signature events such as Jam Day and the Annual Heroes Gala to Ottawa.
Source: United Way Ottawa Photos copyright Black Ottawa Scene
