Chief Information Officer, City of Toronto & Founder, The Impact Centre

 

Rob Meikle is the Chief Information Officer for the City of Toronto. He is also the President & Founder, The Impact Centre and Kingdom House Christian Centre, where he serves as the lead pastor. Rob has received numerous industry recognitions for his outstanding leadership, including being named on the prestigious global CIO 100 honoree list, which recognizes the best Chief Information Officers globally. 

 

 

 

MEDIA AWARD  |  FITZROY GORDON

Founder & CEO, G98.7 FM

Olympian, Executive VP/ Assistant GM, 

Senior Men's Program, Canadian Basket Ball

 

Rowan Barrett played professional basketball for many years and is now the Assistant General Manager and Executive Vice President of the Senior Men's Team at Canada Basketball Association. Barrett played for the Canadian National Basketball team, with which he participated in the 2000 Olympics.Before becoming Executive Vice President of the Senior Men's Team at Canadian Basketball, Rowan served as Manager at Royal Bank of Canada.

     

 

Dr. Arikana Chihombori is the International Chair for African Union Diaspora Africa Forum. The forum's primary role is to support the African Union in encouraging Diaspora participation in the development of Africa. Dr. Chihombori is also chair of the African Union's African Diaspora Health Initiative (AU-ADHI). A Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Chihombori is the Founder & CEO of Bell Family Medical Centers, whose headquarters are in Tennessee, USA.

 

 

A Prolific Musical Ensemble

PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD  | TEWOLDE GEBREMARIAM

CEO  Ethiopian Airlines

 

Tewolde Gebremariam began his career at Ethiopian Airlines in 1985. He served in different capacities in the cargo traffic handling department and progressed through the ladder to Manager Cargo Traffic Handling. He was appointed as Regional Director for India and South East Asia base in Bombay and later on transferred to Jeddah as Area Manager for Saudi Arabia. Under his leadership, the airline has witnessed exponential growth, including expanding to Canada.

ENTERPRISE AWARD  |  AYO ALABI

President & CEO, Jodal Healthcare

 

  

HERITAGE AWARD  |  JAMAICAN CANADIAN ASSOCIATION (JCA)

A Community Service Organization. Audrey Campbell, President

 

The objectives of the organization are to deliver programs and services; provide a physical hub in the city and to advocate for the well-being of Jamaican, Caribbean as well as the larger African Canadian communities in the region. The Jamaican Canadian Association runs its own banquet facility and community centre in Toronto, Canada. Its current President is Audrey Campbell. 

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HUMANITARIAN AWARD  |  DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS /

MEDECINES SANS FRONTIERS (MSF)

Medical Relief Orgnaization

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AWARD  |   DR. ADEKUNLE G. AHMED

 

Dr. Adekunle G Ahmed is a forensic psychiatrist, the Clinical Director Southeast Forensic Services and the Director of the Anger Disorders Clinic at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa and he also has a cross appointment in the School Criminology, University of Ottawa. Dr. Ahmed also holds masters of law degree  from Osgoode Hall Law School.

VOLUNTEER AWARD  |   SEAN MAURICETTE A.K.A SUBLIMINAL

 

Through performing, lecturing, mentoring and film-making, Sean affirms his role as a leader. He is the host and keynote speaker for L.I.F.T. (Laying, Important, Foundations, Together). He was presented with the Medal of Appreciation from the United Nations Association of Canada. Sean is working on an independent documentary on Sickle Cell disease entitled, "INSIDE OUT: When Blood Hurts." It won the 2013 Innoversity Creative Summit's Short Film Pitch and the Best Overall Pitch. 

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD  |   BEVERLEY SALMON

First Black Female City Councillor in Toronto

 

Beverley Salmon was a municipal Councillor in Toronto for 12 years and continues to give leadership and volunteer support. She received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Ryerson University and the Queen Elizabeth 11 Diamond Jubilee Medal. She chaired the Black Liaison Committee of the Toronto Board of Education, providing anti-racism training for teachers. Her late husband, Dr. John Douglas Salmon, was Canada's first board-certified African Canadian surgeon.

 

RISING STAR AWARD  | DELE AJAYI (BLACKO BLAZE)

Singer and Producer

 

Multiple Award winning artist Dele Ajayi a.k.a. Blacko Blaze rose to international acclaim with his singles "Kajumbe" and "Beremole".Blacko Blaze has worked with music greats like King Sunny Ade and Shina Peters. He won Best Artist Award at the 2011 African Entertainment Awards. He has shared the stage with P-Square, 2Face, Olu Maintain, 9ice and Davido. Hi new album "KuruKogaga," a Microbell release. 

 

 

LEGEND AWARD  |   DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

Civil Rights Leader 

 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Civil Rights leader who advocated for equality using peaceful measures. In March 1963, King organized the March On Washington, where he delivered the historic "I Have A Dream" speech, one of the most significant speeches in history.On October 14, 1964, King received the Nobel Peace prize for fighting discrimination. In 1986, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established as an American holiday, now celebrated around the world. The Planet Africa Legend Award is set to be received by his daughter, Dr. Bernice King, CEO of the King Centre in Atlanta, USA.     

 

Dr. Bernice King, Daughter Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
To Speak At The 2013 Planet Africa Awards

 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND, 2013

 

Celebrating The Dream

A Special Tribute In Commemoration Of The
50^th Anniversary Of The "I Have A Dream" Speech.

 

Dr. Bernice King, daughter of Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will speak at the 2013 Planet Africa Awards, on Saturday, November 2^nd 2013. The legacy of Dr. King will be recognized with the presentation of the Legend Award, to be received by his daughter Bernice, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the King Centre in Atlanta, USA.

 

2013 marks the 50^th anniversary of the March On Washington, where the historic "I Have a Dream" speech was delivered. The 10^th annual Planet Africa Awards gala will mark this milestone with a red carpet gala from 6.00 PM at the International Centre in Toronto, Canada. The theme this year is "Celebrating The Dream".

 

Known internationally as one of the most powerful, motivating and life-changing orators on the circuit of speakers today, Bernice leaves her audiences standing and challenged to transform their world. The youngest daughter of the late Coretta Scott King and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Bernice first spoke spoke in her mother's stead at the United Nations at age 17. She has since spoken at the White House and other high profile places.

 

Since 2004, the Planet Africa Awards program has identified and recognized hard work, leadership and excellence, which produce role models, especially for our young people. The mission is to showcase deserving individuals, organizations, businesses and agencies that make a profound difference in the lives of people of African heritage globally. Tickets are on sale for just $150 each. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

 

Previous recipients include Kevin Williams, President & Managing Director of General Motors Canada; Nobel Prize Winner, Professor Wole Soyinka; movie and television star, Isaiah Washington; Nuclear Scientist, Dr. Sylvester Osamusali; YWCA International President, Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro; Olympic Gold Medalist Daniel Igali; entrepreneur and businessman Kwame Jackson from Donald Trump's Apprentice; as well as other highly accomplished individuals and organizations.

 

VIP Reception and Awards Show

 

Date:                Saturday, November 2^nd, 2013

Time:               VIP Reception at 6:00 pm; Dinner & Awards at 7.00 pm

Location:       The International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Toronto, Canada

Tickets:          Tickets are $150; advance orders going fast!

 

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ABOUT DR. BERNICE KING

 

Bernice A. King (Be A King) is the Chief Executive Officer of The King Center, which was founded by her mother Coretta Scott King in 1968. She is a graduate of Spelman College, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Divinity as well as a Doctor of Law Degree from Emory University. She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and serves on the HOPE Southeastern Board of Directors of Operation HOPE as well as the Board of the inaugural Regions Diversity Advisory Council for Regions Financial.

 

Dr. Bernice King served as a law clerk in the Fulton County Juvenile Court system, under Judge Glenda Hatchett, who was host of the nationally syndicated Judge Hatchett show. She has served as a mentor to a group of 5th grade girls at an inner-city Atlanta elementary school. She continues to serve as a mentor to young ladies at CSKYWLA. Bernice founded Be A King, whose mission is to re-brand and re-image generations of people to elevate the way they Think, Act, Live, and Lead.

 

This year, as she continued her parents' monumental legacy, she spearheaded the global events that took place in Washington DC, to commemorate the August 28, 2013, 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington as well as her father's famous "I Have A Dream" speech. In September 2013, she was an instrumental factor in helping Aboriginals and others in Vancouver, Canada, to understand the importance of forgiveness, unconditional love and reconciliation, when she spoke to a crowd of over 75,000 people.

 

Bernice has been featured on such shows as Oprah, BET Talk with Tavis Smiley and the Judge Hachett Show to name a few, as well as in such magazines as People, Ebony, Essence, Ladies Home Journal, Gospel Today and Charisma Magazine. She has also guest hosted a live lunchtime show on CNN. She is the author of Hard Questions, Heart Answers, an inspiring book. From 2010 to 2011, she did a weekly 90-minute radio segment entitled "Raise The Standard" on Praise 102.5 FM in Atlanta, with Rhodell Lewis.

 

About Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Civil Rights leader known for advocating for equality using peaceful measures. Dr. King has been recognized and celebrated globally for his contribution to the social and political consciousness of the world regarding the evils of segregation as well as the rights and dignity of all peoples. In March 1963, King organized the March On Washington, where he delivered the "I Have a Dream" speech, considered one of the most significant speeches in human history.

 

On October 14, 1964, King received the Nobel Peace Prize for fighting racial discrimination. Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. King was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. In 1986, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a U.S. federal holiday. The holiday is celebrated by many organizations as well as other entities around the world, including Canada. Hundreds of streets have been named in his honor. Dr. King's memorial statue on the National Mall of America was opened to the public in 2011.

 

About The Planet Africa Awards

 

The awards are presented by Planet Africa Group, a division of Silvertrust Media. Planet Africa Television is the only English language series of its kind, aired on OMNI Television, syndicated to BEN TV across Europe and to other stations. Planet Africa Magazine is on newsstands across Canada and is available in other parts of the world. The vision of the esteemed Planet Africa organization is to advance the aspirations of people of African origin and communities where they live. The awards engage the Crossover Mentorship Program, which was established in 2008, to build a community wherein young people lead healthy lifestyles, make positive contributions to society and become responsible citizens.

 

Inquiries: Tomike Salami or Wilma Guzman

Tel: 416 247 5777 | Email: [email protected]

www.PlanetAfricaGroup.com  |  www.SilvertrustMedia.com