All posts on 2021

Recent events have left me sort of reeling. Story after story, socially and politically, local and national, has challenged almost all of what I have left in me. I have seen a lot; however, this week has been one gut punch after another. As a city, Montreal continues to tussle with increased incidents of violence. The senseless spate of crimes and racist acts begs the question, “ who are we? Who are as a nation, as a people, and more jarringly, what are we becoming? Recently in a scathing decision released by the Police Ethics Committee, police officer Michael Boutin …

If you haven’t yet met Kara Gomes, you will eventually, either in person or you’ll continue to read about her exploits as an entrepreneur or as a business strategist as she sometime describes herself. Recently Canadians got an opportunity to see the young Montrealer in action on CBC’s flagship investment reality show, The Dragons’ Den when Kara and her business partner Dave Elkabas were able to secure a $150,000 deal for the LVL UP Studio with Vincenzo Guzzo, the man behind the chain of cinemas in the Montreal area that carries his name. In going after the deal, the partners …

Rosie Awori (LJI) The recently concluded municipal elections on November 7, have seen an influx of new Black candidates being elected across Montreal. A large number of these trail blazers have been women, each packed with a wealth of experience to bring change to the table. Leading the pack is Dominique Ollivier who brings a career spanning over 30 years, in community development, project organisation and management. She decided to take the next step and is now the city councillor for Montreal’s Vieux-Rosemont district and now sits as Montreal’s number two as the president of the city’s executive committee, the …

Rosie Awori (LJI) There has been a cascade of victories for Black candidates in the recently concluded municipal elections on November 7, redefining representation in the city. Just off the island in Chateauguay Arlene Bryant thrust herself onto the political landscape with a convincing win in the recent vote. As part of the Equipe Eric Allard of Alliance Chateauguay, Bryant a mortgage broker by profession, snatched 67% of the votes to emerge city councillor in District 2. Allard received 53% of the votes cast to become mayor of Chateauguay and seven members of his team were elected. A long-time resident …

Succeeding in politics is as difficult as it is demanding. Beyond that, being a successful Black man in politics for over 20 years can seem almost impossible at times, but Dollard-des-Ormeaux city councillor Errol Johnson continues to make it happen. Johnson has been a city copuncil;lor since 1994 and today also serves as deputy mayor. He had initially ran office the two years prior to winning and despite others trying to encourage him not to run for a third consecutive year in fear that he would lose again, he refused to give up. He had a strategy. “I was trying …

Rosie Awori (LJI) The Quebec Board of Black Educators (QBBE) is inviting all Montrealers to place a special mark on Saturday, February 19, 2022 as the date will gather for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of an organization that have impacted the lives of so many in this city, across Canada and around the world. For five decades the QBBE has been providing supplementary courses at its summer schools or throughout the year by tutorials to assist students to navigate the Quebec education system, which at times can be treacherous to Black students. Over the years the DaCosta Hall and BANA …

Rosie Awori (LJI) On Saturday, October 30, a roomful of Montrealers braved the COVID-19 challenges and gathered at the Casa Grecque Restaurant in LaSalle to celebrate with members of the Cornucopia Association of Montreal as they marked the 41st anniversary of the organization. Among the guests were representatives of other community organizations as well as an impressive list of municipal politicians, all there to pay tribute to Cornucopia for maintaining more than four decades of community involvement . And as they have been doing for the several years, officers and members of organization used the occasion to provides bursaries and …

Change is inevitable. And nowhere is this necessary than in the political industry where some people seemingly become embedded in their positions, refusing to give way to proverbial new blood, ideas, often viable alternatives… where necessary. Problem is, many often view change as disruptive to the status quo: those people and things they’ve become accustomed to, are familiar with and want to maintain. The recent city of Montreal election is indicative of this. Case in question were the two incumbent mayors, including one vying to make a comeback after being unceremoniously shown the exit door by his second-time opponent in …

“An Evening with Silk Sonic” is the long-anticipated debut album from soul duo Silk Sonic. Composed of superstar singer Bruno Mars and critical darling Anderson .Paak. The duo’s incredible chemistry is put on full display for what would make a well-produced, all killer no filler LP. A relatively short album, totalling up to 31 minutes of run time, the nine-track record makes for a thrilling listen, with each track complimenting the terrific grooves and moods of the record. It opens up with a literal introduction of Silk Sonic and funk legend Bootsy Collins who serves as a hype man or …

It’s definitely beginning to look and feel like Christmas. Our centres are decorated ever so beautifully, Christmas music is on the airwaves and veteran dancehall artist Shaggy just dropped deluxe edition of his 2020 Christmas In The Islands album deluxe featuring Bunji Garlin on “We Three Kings’. The album, which seeks to share the Caribbean take on Christmas music with the world, comes with four new tracks meaning it now have a total of 19. Shaggy has been quoted as saying that his inspiration to do this Christmas album came from international recording star Sting. When he originally released it …