Posts tagged Toronto

Salutations Everyone! I hope you all are excited, because we can see evidence that spring is coming! If you did not read my last article, the long and the short is that I had a life-threatening blood clot in one of my veins, and now I am on anticoagulants. But I have some great news! One day, I was leaving the hospital after one of my follow-ups and received an email stating that I had been awarded funding to travel to Trinidad for a research symposium at the University of the West Indies to present my PhD research. The topic …

When it comes to comedy shows in Montreal’s Black community, one promoter stands out: Widma Jean Jacques, better known as Big Will. Since his college days in the late 1990s, Big Will has been producing entertainment events focused on delivering high quality shows at affordable prices, ensuring audiences of all backgrounds can enjoy top notch performances. In recent years, he has shifted his focus to comedy, organizing dozens of shows that bring communities together through laughter. Working alongside his business partner Cliff, Big Will continues that mission with the upcoming Funny By Nature 9th anniversary showcase. Celebrating nearly a decade …

On November 17th, 2025, representatives of more than a dozen community and diaspora organizations converged on the headquarters of the Ligue des Noir du Quebec on Decarie Boulevard in Montreal. The press conference was organized by Mr. Marvin Rotrand, Executive Director of United Against Hate Canada. The mission? To lobby the Mayoress of The City of Montreal, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, to assist with the acquisition of place names in Montreal for black citizens of Quebec who’d made significant contributions to the city in various disciplines. On this occasion, three names took front and center of the initiative: Dan Philip, Noel …

Montreal, November 02, 2025 — In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica on October 28, the Jamaica Association of Montreal (JAM) has launched a coordinated relief initiative to support affected communities across the island. In consultation with the Jamaican High Commission in Ottawa, as well as other grassroots organizations and partners in the Montreal corporate community, the Association is organizing the collection of monetary donations, essential goods, and health supplies to assist those impacted by the hurricane. For all questions regarding relief efforts, the public is encouraged to contact the Jamaica Association of Montreal at …

Fall is here and the echoes of summer festivals and late night gatherings fade, what remains are the images that kept those moments alive. From packed festival’s, BBQ to buzzing night events, much of what f illed our social media feeds came through the eyes of photographers. They are the storytellers behind the lens, the ones who transform temporary smiles, celebrations and vibrant nights into lasting memories. This fall, I would like to spotlight three who helped define how Montreal remembers this summer. Murddock, PsynDragon, and Brian Kotler of MTL Glamour Shots. I’ve had the chance to work with Murddock, …

Evangelist Dejah Smart Moses calls herself “a shy girl with a servant’s heart.” Her first book, Becoming Her, debuts on August 1, 2025, shaped by years of ministry, mentoring and a steady faith she’s carried since childhood. “I was 11 when I got saved in Jamaica,” she said to the CONTACT. “I’ve not been perfect, but I’ve maintained my faith.” She moved to Canada in 1995, “17, almost 18,” and settled quickly into church life. “People saw something in me I didn’t yet see in myself,” she added. “They used to call me the ‘Pentecostal girl.’” Service came first: choir, …

Montreal, July 1st, 2025 Canada Day in Montreal took on a special meaning this year as two of the city’s top promoters, NiteLife Ent and Production Sounds came together to present Island Twist, a celebration of Caribbean culture, music, and legacy. In the heart of the festivities, International DJ and crowd favourite Riggo Suave, also known as The Stage God, was officially honoured for his impact on Montreal’s Caribbean entertainment scene. A plaque was presented by Production Sounds in front of a packed audience of supporters, fellow DJs, and fans. Riggo Suave, based in New York, has been Djing across …

By Desirée Zagbai A new mobile app called the ‘Business Reference App’ is set to launch on May. 30, 2025, during a public event at Concordia University’s D3 Innovation Hub. The app is designed to simplify the process of supporting and discovering Black-owned businesses in Montreal. The app was developed by the web app agency, Smartegy, with support from CSMARI (Community Support Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Initiative). There were also collaborative efforts from the DESTA Black Community Network, the Ujamaa Initiative for Black Entrepreneurship (UIBE), and the Community Service Initiative at the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University (CSI). Through …

Get ready for the Second Annual Club Zed Playwrights Festival, hosted by the Black Theatre Workshop (BTW) from May 14-17, 2025! Black Theatre Workshop (BTW) is Canada’s longest running theatre company dedicated to the works of Black and diasporic communities. The company strives to create greater cross-cultural understanding by challenging its audience and the status quo. Expanding the representation of Black Canadian artists, BTW bridges cultural divides – uniting hearts, minds and communities. BTW’s community focused Club Zed Festival, which is now in its second year, is dedicated to nurturing the voices of Black Canadian playwrights through a Black perspective. With …

Canada and America. ——Borders Apart– Immigration at Heart During my senior years in high school, I developed a love for history. This is due in large measure to my late high school teacher, who was entertaining, encouraging and enlightening. As I began to learn about some of history’s greatest tragedies, I would sometimes wonder what went through people’s minds, especially ordinary people who were witness to extraordinary events. History seen through anyone’s eyes is inherently subjective, not to mention subject to all kinds of inaccuracies. Trying to understand people’s perspective, and to decipher their motivations, is endlessly fascinating to me. …