The event featured a stirring keynote address from Catherine Chandler-Crichlow, Executive Director of the Centre of Excellence in Financial Services Education.
“We need to ensure that today our youth are active participants in the ‘innovation’ agenda of our province”, said Chandler-Crichlow. “RBC, through its support for youth, continues to demonstrate it’s commitment to an innovation agenda across Canada.”
The top twelve essays were all on display, and many of the top twelve essayists and their families were in attendance along with essay panel judges: Gerry McNeilly, Director of Ontario’s Office of Independent Police Review; Tanya Walker, 2013 Harry Jerome Award recipient; Kay McConney, former Consul General for Barbados in Toronto; and Ainsworth Morgan, founding Director of Pathways to Education and Vice Principal at Nelson Mandela Public School.
”The history of African Canadians is so essential to the Canadian narrative and an integral part of the broader Canadian story,” said Jennifer Tory, RBC regional president for Greater Toronto. “These students have done a wonderful job of honouring our rich national heritage.”
Students from across the GTA entered their essays on how black Canadians have helped to define Canada’s diverse heritage and identity through their achievements and contributions to the broader society.
