Recently the Jamaican Canadian Centre played host to an exciting event where the Caribbean community, along with the Toronto’s first Africentric School, celebrated the retirement of their principal Mr. Luther Brown. The evening was hosted by actor Marcia Brown and the guest include Lloyd Wilks, Consul General of Jamaica in Toronto, singer Jay Douglas, along with a number of children both performing and speaking about Mr. Brown.

The celebration highlighted the contribution of a genuine community builder and an educator’s career that has had a great influence on the of people he has touched, nurtured, developed and mentored.

The events saw colleagues and students that he had inspired, including one who is now one of three Deputy Directors of Education, speaking about the impact of Luther Brown on their careers. Luther has led the Africentric Alternative School for several years and has made a tremendous impact on that institution.

This was evident in the school’s 10th Anniversary Celebrations and Graduation in June. At that event the first cohort of kindergarten students admitted to the school, graduated from grade eight. Accolades were bestowed on Mr. Brown by a diverse group of community members including stalwarts in the field of education and the entertainment industry.

Victor Tipper Henry, who co-hosted the radio program “The Crucible” with Brown, came to praise the respected educator, while Jimmy Reid serenated the audience.  Jay Douglas then assembled all the entertainers on stage to deliver a rousing rendition of Bob Marley’s “One Love.”

The unflappable Luther Brown, true to his reputation, kept his composure even as the love poured forth from those he had mentored; even as his wife spoke of his commitment to family and community, and daughters recalling the great times they had growing with him.

Luther Brown had done his part now as he moves on to more challenges in education – the field for which it seemed he was made for.

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