UWI Toronto Benefit Awards 2025: Bridging the Gap
About the Event
The University of West Indies (UWI) Toronto Benefit Awards is proud to announce its 2025 honourees for the 16th annual evening of recognition in support of scholarships for Caribbean students. The prestigious event will take place on Saturday April 26th, 2025 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 181 Wellington Street, Toronto at 5:30pm EST.
Theme and Purpose
This year’s theme, Bridging the Gap, reflects the UWI’s unwavering promise to Caribbean students and their communities. “This is a proud night for the Caribbean diaspora, and it does more than just bridge gaps; it builds and strengthens communities, uniting us in a shared vision of education, empowerment, and recognition of leaders and mentors who guide the way forward,” says Dr. Donette Chin-Loy Chang, UWI Toronto Benefit Awards Co-Patron.
Honourees
The 2025 honourees are:
* Luminary Award: Dr. Jason Drew Harrow (Kardinal Offishall) – Multi-platinum rapper and producer, Def Jam – Global A&R, Canada’s Got Talent judge
* G. Raymond Chang Award: Mr. Myron Garron and Mrs. Berna Garron – Canadian philanthropists, who have contributed millions to paediatric health and Canadian healthcare institutions
* Chancellor’s Award: Onyx Initiative – a non-profit organization founded by Wayne and Nigela Purboo designed to expand the recruitment pipeline and close the systemic gap in the hiring, retention and promotion of Black college and university students, and recent graduates for roles in corporate Canada
* Vice Chancellor’s Award:
+ Mr. Mark Beckles, Community Investment Initiatives – RBC Royal Bank, President & CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada)
+ Ms. Patricia DeGuire – Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, co-founder of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers and the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada
+ Ms. Leslie Woo, CEO at CivicAction, Founder of shebuildscities.org
Entertainment
Headlining the night’s entertainment is The Voice (season 5) winner, Jamaican singer-songwriter Tessanne Chin, who was also a UWI Toronto Benefit Luminary Honouree in 2014. Also performing are Thunder Dome Sounds featuring Eddie Bullen, Quincy Bullen, Tré-Michael Bullen and Belinda Brady, along with saxophonist Jesse Ryan.
About The UWI
The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region. In 75 years, the University of the West Indies has given birth to hundreds of brilliant leaders across dozens of sectors, worldwide. Many have gone on to enrich the Caribbean Diasporas, including Canada which has benefited greatly.
From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda, and its Open Campus, and 10 global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.
The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world.
Conclusion
The UWI Toronto Benefit Awards is a proud tradition that celebrates the achievements of outstanding individuals who have made a significant impact in their communities. The event is a testament to the power of education and the importance of recognizing and rewarding excellence.
FAQs
* When and where is the event taking place?
+ The event will take place on Saturday April 26th, 2025 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 181 Wellington Street, Toronto at 5:30pm EST.
* Who are the honourees?
+ The honourees are Dr. Jason Drew Harrow (Kardinal Offishall), Mr. Myron Garron and Mrs. Berna Garron, Onyx Initiative, Mr. Mark Beckles, Ms. Patricia DeGuire, and Ms. Leslie Woo.
* Who is performing at the event?
+ The event will feature performances by Tessanne Chin, Thunder Dome Sounds, and Jesse Ryan.
* What is the purpose of the event?
+ The event is to recognize and reward outstanding individuals who have made a significant impact in their communities, and to raise funds for scholarships for Caribbean students.