30 years on, John C. Holland Awards continue to shine light on ‘great work’ in Black community in Hamilton

As the John C. Holland Awards mark 30 years this weekend, one of its founding members says the event has played a crucial role in helping to amplify Black history in Hamilton.

Evelyn Myrie and Marlene Thomas Osborne were co-chairs of the awards' inaugural committee. Myrie said from the inception, the event has “shone light” on people who have been “doing great work” in the community but have not been acknowledged.

“It was a great need that was identified and … the work that the award is still doing, presenting support to young people through scholarships, it’s been phenomenal,” Myrie told CBC Hamilton ahead of this year's event.

The awards take place Sunday evening at the grand central ballroom of Liuna Station. 

“They are moving forward in celebrating youth, celebrating leaders and really cementing the Black contributions to Hamilton.”

Myrie spent 20 years on the committee, serving as chair for a number of those years.

In her interview with CBC News, Myrie paid tribute to Ray Johnson, a professor at McMaster University at the time, who came up with the name in John Holland’s memory, acknowledging that Holland was “a Hamiltonian of wonderful reputation.”

Myrie said there was a need for recognition of the Black community in Hamilton and the John C. Holland Awards have helped to “highlight the contributions, and celebrate the wonderful achievements” of Black people.

“We don't hear enough of these stories, we don't hear enough of the narratives of young Black youth doing phenomenal work and achieving great things academically as well, so this platform allows us to shine the light on these young people as well as other members of the community who are driving change, who are making a difference in the community,” said Myrie.

Myrie — who now serves as president of the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association — was recognized in November when McMaster University presented her with an honourary doctorate for her community advocacy and trailblazing community work.

“I was tremendously humbled,” she told CBC News. 

“I've done community work all my life and I didn't expect this. I feel very good … that my social justice work is being acknowledged and rewarded at the academic level.” 

Current chair of the John C. Holland Awards, Terri Bedminster shares Myrie's view on the important role the awards play in the Black community, while noting that the awards are now more youth centered.

“Often our stories are of struggle and overcoming and less about joy and achievement, and so we want to change that narrative in a way that is empowering and can really uplift our youth to continue doing the work that has been done for so very long,” she said.