Black Canadians and professionals were honoured at the 41st annual Harry Jerome Awards Saturday, April 29.

Held at the Beanfield Centre in Toronto, the event featured hundreds of guests who came to celebrate Black excellence and this year’s honourees.

“We come together to celebrate the unwavering spirit of Black excellence, which has shone brightly even during these challenging times,” Ross Cadastre, head of the BBPA, said in a statement on stage. “The last few years presented unprecedented obstacles, yet our Black entrepreneurs have displayed remarkable resilience and adaptability. I am immensely proud of the BBPA’s role in offering support and resources that have helped our entrepreneurs navigate and thrive in a post-pandemic environment.

“We are encouraged by the growing number of companies that have (committed to) equitable hiring practices and cultivated inclusive environments for Black community members. This transformative shift has created new opportunities and fostered a sense of belonging for our people… As we embark on this memorable evening, I’m overjoyed to celebrate the award-winning recipients of the Harry Jerome Awards,” he added.

Nadine Spencer, CEO of the BBPA, also addressed the audience and was followed by Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, who delivered remarks in support of the Black community and entrepreneurs.

The night's first award went to Spider Jones, who was in attendance with friends and family.

Jones is an award-winning broadcaster, journalist, author, and speaker. He is also a former amateur boxer and a former three-time Golden Glove Champion, and he was inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996.

During the presentation, he discussed his life and dreams and his decision to go back to school at 34, which turned his life around.

“I failed grades 3 and 4 but always wanted to be in radio and I went through menial job after menial job, working in a warehouse, shining shoes or being a sparring partner for the great Muhammad Ali or George Chuvalo.

He added that they call him ‘Spider’ because his fast hands as a boxer made it look like he was throwing eight shots.

“My biggest inspiration comes from my wife — the wind beneath my wings.”

Other winners included:

• Agapi Gessesse – Decade Leader Award

• Agunbiade Seun Richards – Young Entrepreneur Award

• Andria Case – Media Award

• Colleen Ward – Technology Award

• Emma Todd – Professional Excellence Award

• Frantz Saintellemy – Business Award

• Jennifer Bernard – Health Sector Award

• Lindell Wigginton – Jerome Family Athletics Award

• Ngozi Paul – Arts Award

• Rosemarie Powell – Leadership Award

• Rick Gossling – President’s Award

• Deborah Richardson – Diversity Award

Sipheshile November, principal dancer at the National Ballet of Canada, performed at the event. The performance was followed by more award presentations and remarks from Mary Ng, minister of international trade, export promotion, Small Business & Economic Development.

Federal opposition leader Jagmeet Singh and Ontario NDP leader were on hand and presented a scroll to BBPA leaders Cadastre and Spencer. Also, a part of the evening included a fashion show, a gospel-singing performance, and an opera performance.

See some more photos and videos from the event below.