THE 2020
EXCELLENCE AWARD
RECIPIENTS
Presented By
AFROGLOBAL TELEVISION
Saturday, November 21st, 2020
LIVE STREAMING AT 2.00 PM EST
VIP EXPERIENCE 4.00 PM EST
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The 2020
MARCUS GARVEY AWARD
H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo
President of Ghana
Chair, Economic Community
of West African States
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His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo is the President of the Republic of Ghana and the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He has been in office since January 7th, 2017. He served as Attorney General from 2001 to 2003 and Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2003 to 2007. He declared 2019 as The Year Of Return for the Diaspora, to encourage visiting and investing in Ghana. It was linked to the 400th anniversary of slaves landing in the Americas. From January to September 2019, there were 237,000 additional visitors, a rise of 45% from the previous year, with major increases from the USA and the UK.
H.E. Akufo-Addo was nominated for the 2020 Marcus Garvey Memorial Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program by Dr. Julius Garvey, son of the legendary Marcus Mosiah Garvey, who inspired Ghana’s founding father, Kwame Nkurumah. The Black Star Line, Ghana’s first shipping line, the Black Stars soccer team, and the Black Star in Ghana’s flag were inspired by Marcus Garvey, Jamaica’s first national hero. Akufo-Addo Akufo-Addo’s has been credited for the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) with unemployed graduates and more. He has embraced technology in governance, expanded accountability and restructured regional governance, creating six (6) new regions.
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The 2020
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Wes Hall
Founder, Kingsdale Advisors
KSS Group and BlackNorth
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Wes Hall is the Executive Chairman & Founder of Kingsdale Advisors and KSS Group of Companies. He founded the BlackNorth Initiative, where CEOs of hundreds of Canadian companies have signed up for the Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Racism. Leaders commit to dismantling anti-Black racism and to create empowering opportunities for Blacks. Wes owns QM Environmental, Titan Supply, and Harbor Club hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, one of St. Lucia’s premier resorts. The Globe & Mail called him one of Canada’s “most influential powerbrokers” and Canadian Business magazine named him one of the “most powerful business people”.
Wes was the EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009 and 2011. He received the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors’ (ICD) and Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. In 2017, he received an honorary doctorate both from the University of the West Indies. In 2020, he was appointed to the Ontario Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce. He is a director of SickKids Foundation, Pathways to Education and was Board Chair of Difference Capital, Director at Equity Financial, Longford Energy, Wellgreen Platinum and the Exempt Market Dealers Association. Wes receives the 2020 Leadership Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.
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The 2020
GLOBAL IMPACT AWARD
Usain Bolt
The World’s Fastest Man
Olympic & World Record Sprinter
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Usain St. Leo Bolt is one of the most naturally gifted athletes the world has ever seen. He created history at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, when he achieved the ‘Triple Triple’, three gold medals at three consecutive Olympic Games, which made his name to be imprinted in the history books as the world’s fastest man. Before his 30th birthday, Usain completed the triple feat to cement his legacy as a legend. In addition to his nine Olympic Game gold medals, Usain won eleven World T&F Championship titles. He currently holds world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m with times of 9.58 secs, 19.19 secs and 36.84 secs, respectively.
Usain holds the three fastest times ever run 9.58, 9.64 and 9.69. In 2008 in Beijing, he set a new 200m world record, taking 0.02 off Michael Johnson’s previous mark with a time of 9.30 secs. On the world’s all-time list, Usain holds five of the top ten times ever in the 200m. Usain is an ambassador for top global brands, including Puma, Hublot, Tracks & Records, Champion Shave and others. The Usain Bolt Foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities through education and cultural development for a positive change. Usain receives the 2020 Global Impact Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.
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The 2020
SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY AWARD
Dr. Eugenia Duodu
Chief Executive Officer
Visions Of Science
Network For Learning
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Dr. Eugenia Duodu is the CEO of Visions of Science Network for Learning, a charitable organization that empowers youth from low-income communities through meaningful engagement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). She devotes her time to community as well as global outreach initiatives, and participates in various boards, organizations, and councils. She is an advocate for education and creating equitable opportunities for youth to achieve their full potential. Eugenia holds an HB.Sc. in Chemistry and Biology as well as a PhD in Chemistry, both from the University of Toronto.
Dr. Duodu is the Co-Founder of Creating Global Citizens, through which she helped furnish a library in Ghana, among other initiatives in Uganda, Tanzania, Jamaica, and Trinidad. In 2018 at a TEDxYouth@Toronto event, she shared her science journey in the "The 'Unlikely' Scientist” talk. Dr. Duodu received an Adel S. Sedra Distinguished Graduate Award, a $25,000 fellowship. In 2012, she was awarded the Harry Jerome CIBC Academics Award by the Black Business & Professional Association. She was also recognized as one of the 50 faces of the University of Toronto Mississauga, for community influence. Dr. Duodu receives the 2020 Science & Technology Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.
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The 2020
RENAISSANCE AWARD
Dr. Maulana Karenga
Creator of the Pan-African Holiday Kwanzaa
Professor and Chair, Department of Africana Studies
California State University, Long Beach
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Dr. Maulana Karenga is professor and chair of the department of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach. He is also the creator of Kwanzaa, an African American and Pan-African holiday and the author of the authoritative book on the subject: Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture. A distinguished scholar in Black Studies (Africana Studies), he holds two Ph.D.’s and is author of numerous scholarly articles and books, including: Maat, The Moral Ideal in Ancient Egypt: A Study in Classical African Ethics. Also, he is a recipient of numerous prestigious awards for scholarship, leadership, community service and contribution to African world culture, including the Paul Robeson-Zora Neale Hurston Award and the C.L.R James Award.
An activist-scholar, Dr. Karenga has had a far-reaching effect on Black intellectual and political culture since the 1960s and is the executive director of the African American Cultural Center and chair of The Organization Us and the National Association of Kawaida Organizations. As part of his pan-Africanist and international activities, Professor Karenga served as chairman of the African American delegation to the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, Lagos, Nigeria; chairman of the delegation of educators/activists of the Organization Us to Cuba; and the Inaugural Lecturer in the Mazisi Kunene Lecture Series, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Dr. Karenga receives the 2020 Renaissance Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.
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The 2020
ENTERTAINMENTAWARD
David Oyelowo
Hollywood Star
Director & Producer
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David Oyelowo is a Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Emmy-nominated actor and producer. He gained acclaim as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Ava DuVernay’s Selma. He earned a Golden Globe Award nomination. He has starred in other blockbuster films, including Disney’s Queen Of Katwe alongside Lupita Nyong’o; The Butler, where he played the son of Oprah Winfrey’s character; Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln with Daniel Day-Lewis; the critically acclaimed independent drama, Middle Of Nowhere, which earned him NAACP Image Award and Independent Spirit Award nominations, and Jack Reacher opposite Tom Cruise.
David produced and starred with Angelina Jolie in the film Come Away, which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. David made his directorial debut with The Water Man, under his Yoruba Saxon Productions, ShivHans Pictures and Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. As a stage actor, he appeared as the title character in Othello. His David Oyelowo Leadership Scholarship supports under-privileged girls in Africa. In 2016, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2016. David receives the 2020 Entertainment Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.
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The 2020
ENTERPRISE AWARD
Dennis Mitchell
Chief Executive Officer, Starlight Capital
& Co-Founder, Black Opportunity Fund
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Dennis Mitchell joined Starlight Capital in March 2018 as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer. He has over 20 years of experience in the investment industry and has held executive positions with Sprott Asset Management, serving as Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager. He has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Sentry Investments where he oversaw the firm's investment management team and investment funds totalling over $18 billion. He is the Co-Founder of the Black Opportunity Fund, a dynamic partnership between businesses, philanthropists, foundations, and the Black community.
Dennis has been featured by many media organizations as an expert, including BNN Bloomberg, The Globe And Mail, CBC TV, The Edge, A Leader’s Magazine and many others. He received the Brendan Wood International Canadian TopGun Award in 2009, 2010, and 2011, and the Brendan Wood International 2012 Canadian TopGun Team Leader Award. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and earned a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University in 2002, and an Honors Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1998. Dennis receives the 2020 Enterprise Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.
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The 2020
HERITAGE AWARD
Neema Mugala
Founder and Director, Sifa Choir
Associate, Malaika, Cheza
& Voices of Praise
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Neema Mugala is the Founder and Director of Sifa Choir, an acapella group based in Ottawa. Sifa Choir has been sharing its love of African music for over three decades. Born in Tanzania, Neema came to Canada in 1976 as a child of a diplomat. She started singing publicly at the tender age of 7, in grade school, cultural events, and in her family. She started Sifa Choir in 1985, while studying at Carleton University, to promote African culture in the community. She became a member of groups like World Music Group; Malaika, an African-influenced, dance band; Cheza, the funky and energetic gospel group; and Voices of Praise. She has sang with the Juno award-winning singer, The Mighty Popo.
Neema has sang on 12 different CDs, composed and arranged over twenty songs. She has participated in hundreds of performances, and has extensively toured Canada, the US, and Europe. Highlights of her career include performing for Nelson Mandela, Robert Plant, opening for Black Umfolosi, Paul Anka, Soweto Sings, the Nylons, and sharing the stage with Hugh Masekela. In 2011, Neema created a solo band. The band has since performed regularly at major events and festivals in both English and Kiswahili. Neema receives the 2020 Heritage Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.
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The 2020
RISING STAR AWARD
Brandon Gonez
Reporter & Anchor
CP24, Toronto's Breaking News
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Brandon Gonez is a reporter and anchor at CP24, delivering daily coverage of the most significant breaking news unfolding across the Greater Toronto Area. He joined CP24 in January 2019 from CTV’s Your Morning, where he woke up Canadians with updates as weather anchor. Brandon began his career as a video journalist for CFTK-TV News, before being promoted to senior reporter and fill-in anchor for the nightly news in Terrace, B.C. He covered the missing and murdered Aboriginal women story and liquefied national gas (LNG) sector. He then joined the Global News team in Regina, Saskatchewan as a reporter and anchor, before moving into the role of reporter and weather anchor at CTV News in Barrie.
Brandon hails from Brampton. He holds a B.A. degree in Communications from York University and a certificate in Television and Radio broadcasting from Seneca College. While at York University, he co-founded a YouTube talk show, which made him realize that he enjoys telling stories and talking with people. Gonez enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially his nephew, Noah. In his spare time, he likes to travel, watch Raptors games, play basketball and tennis. His off screen and on-screen energy has been described contagious. Brandon receives the 2020 Media Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.
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The 2020
LIFETIME
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Joan Pierre
Founder & President
Joan Pierre & Associates
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Joan Pierre is the founder of Joan Pierre & Associates. She has over twenty-five years of experience in event planning, project management, marketing, arts and administration, sponsorships, public relations and production management. Her career has enabled her to work throughout Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. She has been actively involved in the design and implementation of major festivals and events in North America, including the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games with the Cuttin’ Style Caribbean Fashion, Caribana, African Heritage Music Festival in New Orleans, Atlanta Music Festival, The African Canadian Achievement Awards, and The 1994 World Championship of Basketball in Toronto.
Joan has also served as a consultant to many organizations since 1986. These include the 2014 and 2015 Mirvish Production of The Lion King, Caribana, Adam Vaughan’s Campaign in 2006 and 2010, RCMP Community Policing Conference in London, and the Ethnic Studies Conference, York University. She is a recipient of the 2015 ACAA Leadership Award and the BBPA 2015 Women of Honour recognition. Joan developed a certificate program in Event Planning and Event Management for the Continuing Education department at York University. Joan receives the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.
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The 2020
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
LEGACY AWARD
Marlon Reid
Director, Business Effectiveness
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
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Marlon Reid serves as Director, Business Effectiveness, CIBC Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; Designated Complaints Officer (DCO); and is on the Steering Committee of CIBC’s Black Employees Network. He was Vice President at TD Securities, where he also served in the Diversity Leadership initiative. He has served as President of Urban Financial Services Coalition (UFSC, now Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals), and as Chair of the Corporate Advisory Board. Marlon is a Director & Treasurer for the 100 Strong Foundation, which aims at transforming Black youth into successful Black men.
Marlon has served at the Art Gallery of Ontario, YMCA Leadership Council for Innovative Education, the Financial Services Advisory Board of the Rotman School of Management, the Toronto Public Library Foundation Board and as President of the Toronto Regional Council of the University of Ottawa. Marlon served as coach for the only Canadian team competing in the National Black MBA Association’s Leaders of Tomorrow MBA Case Competition. He holds a commerce degree from York University, law degree from University of Ottawa, and a Master of Finance degree from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. Marlon receives the 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.
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The 2020
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Evelyn Myrie
Founder, EMpower Strategy Group &
President, Afro Canadian Caribbean Association
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Evelyn Myrie is the Principal and Founder of EMpower Strategy Group. She has held leadership roles in government, business and the non-profit sector, including as Executive Director of the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, and Director of Peel Newcomer Strategy Group. She served in leadership roles at Status of Women Canada and Heritage Canada, including as regional director for South West Ontario. In 2013, she organized Hamilton’s first diversity recognition initiative and launched the Diversity onboard program. She is a founding member and past Vice President of Women’s Enterprise Skills Training Center.
Evelyn has served as President of the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association; member of the Mayor’s Roundtable Against Hate; Chair of Hamilton Black History Committee; Co-Chair and Executive Director, Hamilton Centre For Civic Inclusion; and Chair, African Canadian Legal Clinic. Evelyn established the John Holland Institute for Leadership, an afro-centered leadership and mentorship program for youth. She created “And Still I Rise”, a traveling exhibit on the history of African Canadian workers, and led the creation of the “The Soul of Black Folk” virtual museum. Her honours include the Order of Hamilton, 100 Accomplished Black Women Award as well as the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals. Evelyn receives the 2020 Community Service Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.
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The 2020
PROFESSIONAL
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Adebayo Jones
Fashion Designer, Consultant
& Television Series Host
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Adebayo Jones is a London-based fashion designer, style consultant, and television host, associated with glamour, elegance, style and exquisite fashion. Known as the "King Of Couture", he has dressed celebrities, socialites and some of the most esteemed women in the world, including a Miss World, European and African royalties, first ladies, as well as music, film, television and stage stars. Adebayo has hosted charity fashion shows and supported The British Red Cross, UNICEF Nigeria, Imperial Breast Cancer Research Fund, Alzheimer's UK, Nwanko Kanu Heart Foundation, Pink Ball Fund Sierra Leone and The Heart Campaign.
Adebayo works with educational institutions to raise the next generation of fashion industry leaders. He has developed a mentoring scheme for students at Nottingham University. Adebayo has served as Executive Producer and Host of The Golden Button fashion series on Afroglobal Television and Host of Style With Adebayo Jones on BEN TV. He received the Fashion Name Of The Year Award at the European Summit Business Festival in France; AFIA Fashion Global Icon Award, and the Gold Medal Award from the President and First Lady of Sierra Leone. In October 2020, he was listed as one of Sixty Outstanding Nigerians in the last six decades by Guardian Newspapers. Adebayo receives the 2020 Professional Achievement Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.
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The 2020
NELSON MANDELA
HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Kamala Jean Gopie
Change Agent
Educator & Philanthropist
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Kamala Jean Gopie has served as an educator, politician and philanthropist. She was President, Jamaican Canadian Association, 1979-1980; Chair, Urban Alliance on Race Relations, and founding Director, Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) in 1982. She received the Order of Ontario, served as a Governor of the University of Toronto, and on the Federal Immigration and Refugee Board. Kamala was instrumental in organising a dinner for the legendary Desmond Tutu in Toronto. The University of Toronto offers a Kamala Jean Gopie Award. She is a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Kamala’s philanthropy includes Beatrice House, a homeless shelter; Harbourfront; Sick Kids; Royal Ontario Museum and the Toronto International Film Festival. She holds a BA and a Master of Education degree from the University of Toronto. She served as an elementary school teacher, librarian, equity consultant and a university lecturer. An underprivileged Malawian young man in Capetown, South Africa, led her to work with People Bridge to build a school, water borehole and others in the village of Malosa in Malawi. The school was named after her. It became a relief centre after cyclone Idah. Kamala receives the 2020 Nelson Mandela Humanitarian Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.
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The 2020
VISIONARY AWARD
Chris Campbell
Equity & Diversity Representative
Carpenter’s District Council of Ontario
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Chris Campbell is the Equity and Diversity Representative at the Carpenters' District Council of Ontario. In this role, he ensures that the union’s commitment to creating a safe and rewarding industry for the more than 30,000 tradespeople is achieved. A dedicated community champion, Chris migrated to Canada with the dream of becoming a civil engineer and later joined the Carpenters’ Union in 1989, two years after his arrival. He has since worked on major initiatives, including condominiums, airports, hospitals, power plants, refineries, office towers, organizing non-unions, and negotiating collective agreements.
Today, Chris sits on several boards and committees in the construction industry and in the community, including the Carpenters’ Union Benefits and Pension Plan Board of Trustees, and the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN). He plays a major role in recruiting youth to careers in construction. He received the 2017 Harry Jerome Volunteer Award. Prior to migrating to Canada, Chris played rugby for the Jamaican National schoolboys’ team while attending St. Andrew Technical High School in Kingston. The father of 5 has been married to his wife Sandrine for over two decades. Chris receives the 2020 Visionary Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.
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The 2020
MEDIA AWARD
Patricia Marie Scarlett
Founder, Media Business Institute
& Scarlett Media Group
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Patricia Marie Scarlett is the founder of Media Business Institute, which provides real-life knowledge and training to equip independent producers with the information and knowledge needed for a solid foundation in order to succeed in the media industry. Her experience in the industry began at TVOntario (TVO), where she worked primarily in the international sales department, with the responsibility of opening up the Latin American market. She initiated and successfully closed TVO’s first educational broadcast and educational non-broadcast sales in Brazil.
Patricia has developed many relationships with producers and broadcasters, which have let to professional achievements, including her representation of Ataranjuat: The Fast Runner, winner of the Camera D’Or at the 2001 Cannes International Film Festival. She has comfortably won many hats as entrepreneur and consultant. She founded Scarlett Media, a consulting company. Her production credits include Of Cod & Rum: The Newfoundland Connection; RasTa: A Soul's Journey; Rastafari, Then and Now: A Message From Jamaica; Crazy Opera, an animated Christmas Special, and Mighty Machines, Season 2, where she was Executive Producer. Patricia receives the 2020 Media Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.
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THE 2020
EXCELLENCE AWARD
Presented By
AFROGLOBAL TELEVISION
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST, 2020
LIVE STREAMING AT 2.00 PM
VIP EXPERIENCE 4.00 PM
DO NOT MISS OUT | BUY YOUR TICKET
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Featuring, great entertainment, keynote speech by Dr. Julius Garvey, son of the legendary Marcus Garvey, award presentations and more. Live streaming at 2 PM, virtual experience with VIPs and the recipients at 4 PM. Tickets are $50 available at Eventbrite.ca.
HIGHLIGHTS
Date: Saturday, November 21st, 2020
Venue: Virtual Live Steam & VIP Experience
Tickets: $50 at www.eventbrite.ca
Afroglobal Television, a 24-hour global super channel, presents the awards gala with other partners. The sixteen recipients of each year are role models for youth in the Crossover Mentorship Program.
INQUIRIES:
info@afroglobaltelevision.com
www.AfroglobalTelevision.com
TICKETS
www.Eventbrite.ca
Search: Excellence Awards 2020
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