“Icons come from Jane and Finch.”

It was a fitting end to a memorable speech from Canadian singing legend Jully Black, who took home the Icon Award at the second-annual Legacy Awards, held in Toronto at the popular city venue History.

To open the show, she performed some of her greatest hits, including “Queen,” “Sweat of Your Brow,” and “Seven Day Fool.”

Following the performance, Congolese-Canadian pop artist Lu Kala performed her hit song, “Pretty Girl Era.” Kala took home the evening’s Emerging Artist Award.

Then, singers Jackie Richardson, Thompson Egbo-Egbo, and ballerina Jasmine Renée Thomas performed Oscar Peterson’s “Hymn to Freedom.” The show concluded with a performance of the Rascalz classic, “Northern Touch,” by Taaylee G, Tamir, YSN Fab, and Zach Zoya.

Julien Christian Lutz, a.k.a. Director X, took home the 2023 Trailblazer Award recipient, and actor and filmmaker Tonya Williams received the 2023 Visionary Award. They were among the names honoured on Sept. 24 for the event, which celebrated the excellent contributions of Black Canadians.

“Sometimes we forget how far we’ve come because we’re too in the moment,” Lutz said during his speech. “Because … it wasn’t that long ago we were fighting to be considered human beings. So, stand up, Black Canada, hold your head up high, speak with your powerful voice, and say, ‘This is our history, this is our legacy, this is our country.’”

Meanwhile, professional basketball player Kia Nurse was presented with the Athlete Award, given to her onstage by her sister, Tamika. In addition to winning gold in the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in 2015 and 2017, Nurse represented Canada at the Olympic Games and was a starter in the 2019 WNBA All-Star Game. To give young women opportunities, Nurse launched the basketball academy Kia Nurse Elite and delivers basketball analysis on TSN off the court.

Canadian singer Keisha Chanté hosted the event. This year's awards topped last year’s show in its second season with increased production value, live performances, tributes, and authenticity. Its continued focus on Black excellence and being unapologetic sparked pride in audiences in person and among those watching.

“Growing up, for me, I didn’t see myself on television,” Chanté told CBC on the show’s black carpet. “You want to feel like you’re counted, like you’re part of things. So, it is important to see yourself on television and know that it’s possible. “When you don’t see it, you don’t think it’s possible.”

Even better, Chanté, James, and Anderson engaged in a Jamaica vs. Trinidad rap battle, which was well-received. The performance was an extension of a similar performance from the previous year, when Anderson and James distributed Jamaican patties to spectators — off the cuff, creative and cool.

The 90-minute show was produced by Black Academy, an initiative Anderson and James launched in December 2020 to support Black creatives, and broadcasts in partnership with CBC and CBC Gem.

“I think the community needed this,” Anderson told CP24. “This is really for us, by us. It’s our responsibility, but we believe it’s been a group effort.”