Media Release - November 2, 2026 - Afro Caribbean Youth Awards: Celebrating Leadership, Culture, and Community

KINCARDINE, ON – On Saturday, October 24th, 2026, the recognition and celebration of Afro Caribbean youth living in Grey and Bruce Counties took centre stage at the fourth annual Afro Caribbean Youth Awards.

Held at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine, the event featured several speakers including Maya Marcus and Megan Roopnarine, co-founders of The Why Not Agency, who emphasize diverse storytelling and equity in Canada, as well as uplifting racialized groups and empowering women.

Pastor Wonder Chimvinga of Pine River United Church once again opened the evening with warm greetings and a unifying message that we are all one people.

Andrea Clarke, former Deputy Mayor of Municipality of Kincardine, now Deputy Judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, also spoke at the event about celebrating the different cultures within the Afro Caribbean community and the importance of providing a nurturing environment for youth to grow with the support from the whole community. She also emphasized the need for a foundation grounded in love and grace to build an inclusive community, urging us to reject sentiments that divide as opposed to unite us.

Emcees for the evening were four youths – Agape Chimvinga, Joshua Clarke-Grant, Ronan Harvey, and Jerryl Hibbert. Together, they presented awards to the following young community members in recognition and celebration of their achievements:

Recipients aged 5 to 13:

Recipients aged 14 to 18:

Recipients aged 19 to 25:

Bruce Power Leadership Awards and Scholarships

Karen Smith, Chief Human Resources Office and Senior Vice President at Bruce Power, presented the Bruce Power Leadership awards to four youth whose significant contributions to their communities have made their families, peers, and teachers immensely proud. The recipients were Kendrick Noble, Toni Okanlawon, Inioluwa Osinowo, and Chelby Morris. Each will receive a scholarship from Bruce Power to support their education and continue their journey of leadership and service. Smith congratulated the scholarship winners, as well as all the evening’s recipients, noting that their achievements are a testament to hard work and dedication. She looks forward to seeing the incredible impact they will continue to make in the future.

The Municipality of Kincardine would like to thank Bruce Power for their tremendous support of the Afro Caribbean Youth Awards, and for providing the four scholarships.

The 2026 Afro Caribbean Youth Awards would not have been possible without the hard work and support of these residents and community partners:

• Community residents Lee Evans, Sandra Harvey, Michelle Westwood, Andrea Clarke, and Dr. Maureen Oyaide-Ofenor
• Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre – Matt Smith and Sydney McArthur
• Bruce County Public Library – Michaela Posthumus
• Kincardine District Senior School – Watson Morris
• Municipality of Kincardine – Mackenzie Clarke and Lorie Fioze

Events like the Afro Caribbean Youth Awards remind us that inclusion is not about separation, but about recognition ensuring every young person knows their voice, culture, and contribution matter.

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