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Black History Month YP | 2024 Wednesday Evening Presentations

Wednesday Evenings, 7:00 p.m. Online Only | Zoom
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January 31
Winston LaRose, Toronto, ON

Born in Guyana in the late 1930s, community activist Winston LaRose has led a formidable life. Over the decades, he has witnessed history as it happened, from the overthrow of colonialism and rise of Black political leaders in Africa to an unforgettable day in Washington, D.C., when he joined the demonstrators at the Million Man March.

An avid videographer, he documented many of these historic events with his camera. The CBC Docs Pov documentary, Mr. Jane and Finch turns the camera back on LaRose, a leader in his own right.

For the last 25 years, he's been the director of the oldest community organization in Toronto's Jane-Finch neighbourhood, an area known for its diverse immigrant population. At the Jane-Finch Concerned Citizens Organization (JFCCO), LaRose and his team help residents navigate issues like police brutality and deportation. His advocacy work led to his run for public office in the 2018 Toronto municipal election. While he did not capture his seat, LaRose remains an active community leader.

February 7
Paula de Ronde, Toronto, ON

Paula de Ronde, Caregiver, author, speaker, advocate is a retired librarian. She is the founder of Arts & Culture Jamaica, Inc (ACJAM) an organization that promotes the unique heritage and culture of Jamaica. She has been recognized in her profession receiving the Ontario Library Association's Distinguished Service Award as a caregiver - Heroes in the Home Award and is a 2022 Honouree 100ABC Women. (100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women). She was selected as a JA60TO Game Changer, an initiative to celebrate Jamaica's 60th Independence. Anniversary.

An avid traveller and prolific writer/blogger, Paula spent 11 and a half years as a caregiver to her husband, Bert, and concomitantly, as an ardent advocate for caregivers.

Using humour, nuggets of wisdom and deep compassion, Paula will share her lived experiences as a caregiver. She has catalogued her journey in "My Bert Has Alzheimer's: Caregiving is Living for Two". The memoir is honest, heart rending yet utterly uplifting. It is also a wonderful love story.

February 14
Tony Kenneth Miller, Owen Sound, ON

Tony Kenneth Miller was born and raised in Owen Sound just as the American civil rights movement began and before the phrase "black pride" was first spoken.

His experiences growing up, suffering from racism and poverty led him to become fascinated with his African roots. It drove him to try and understand why and how this separate, yet together, society existed. He went to H.B. Beal Secondary School and Fanshawe College in London ON, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and the Ontario College of Art. After completing his education, Miller worked as a professional photographer, lithographer, and graphic designer, and recently returned to the Owen Sound area.

Working with acrylics, lino, watercolours, graphite, etching, pastels, oils, and wood cuts, as well as sculpting in concrete and found objects his work has been shown in over forty solo and group shows. Tony's work is currently on exhibit at the Yorkminster Park Gallery until March 29th.

YPBC Black History Month | 2024 >

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