By Lincoln DePradine

Rosemary Sadlier – educator, author, public speaker, social justice advocate, and one of the driving forces in getting formal recognition of Black History Month in February and Emancipation Day in Canada in August – is the first recipient of a new award established by residents of Durham Region.

The “Madiba Lifetime Achievement Award’’ was unveiled at this year’s Durham Black History Month celebration.  Madiba is the ancestral name that was used among South Africans to refer to former President Nelson Mandela.

Sadlier expressed “deep gratitude’’ on receiving the inaugural Madiba Award, calling it an “amazing honour’’.

“I have worked for decades to try to bring greater attention to the contributions, achievements and wonderful experiences of people of African descent in this country,’’ Sadlier, a former president of the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS), said at the award presentation.

Cultural Expressions Art Gallery Inc. has been the lead presenter, for the past 15 years, of the celebration of Black History Month (BHM) in Durham.

This year, a BHM celebration committee headed by Esther Forde as chair, collaborated with several partners and sponsors to host the event that was held virtually over two days.

The BHM celebration committee and the art gallery were able to secure the assistance of Elexicon Energy, which sponsored one of two awards presented at the event.

Others involved in the Durham BHM celebration included the Town of Ajax; City of Pickering; Durham Children’s Aid Foundation; Congress of Black Women; Durham Black Coalition; Durham Regional Police Services Board; Durham District School Board; Durham Region; Rotary Pickering; and Rotary Ajax.

Prior to the presentation Sadlier, Forde announced that Patrice Barnes was the 2022 winner of the annual award of the BHM celebration committee. The award, given to Barnes, is also called Madiba.

According to the committee, Barnes’s award – sponsored by Elexicon Energy – “honours a leader of African ancestry in Durham Region, whose experience embodies Nelson Mandela’s values, vision, and a commitment to overcome barriers in his long fight for freedom and equality’’.

Barnes, a Durham District School Board trustee, has also been a member of the Durham Regional Police Services Board and a director on the Ontario Public School Board Association.

Barnes is a “true community advocate and education champion who has had a real impact on the lives of so many, particularly those within the Black community. She’s a true inspiration to everyone whose lives she has touched’’, said Indy Butany-DeSouza, CEO and president of Elexicon Energy.

Barnes, who is expected to be a Progressive Conservative Party candidate in Ajax at this year’s Ontario election, was thankful for the award.

“I really appreciate it,’’ she said. “I’m so humbled and honoured to be presented with this award. The legacy of service and excellence it represents is truly inspiring. I truly enjoy being in service to the Region of Durham and, especially, the people of Ajax. I look forward to continuing to serve and I look forward to continuing to make a difference within our community.’’

Sadlier, who served as OBHS president from 1993 to 2015, told the Durham BHM celebration committee members that she was “really so very honoured that you have all felt that my contributions over time merit this lifetime achievement award. I tried always to have the greater good at heart and thank you for seeing that in what I’ve done’’.

Meanwhile, Cultural Expressions Art Gallery is inviting Grade 12 students in Durham to apply for post-secondary arts scholarships that it is offering.

The scholarships are valued at $1,000 each and applicants must be studying at a Canadian college or university for a degree leading to a career in the arts.

Application forms, with all eligibility criteria, are available at the website, www.durhamblackhistorymonth.com

The deadline for submission of applications is April 25.