Arts, Media and Entertainment Award - Farley Flex










Farley Flex is of an elite breed of icons in the history of the Canadian music industry. His career in the business began more than twenty-five years ago as a young event promoter, but was truly launched through his role as the manager of Maestro (Fresh Wes), Canada’s most successful urban artist.

As a founding member of FLOW 93.5 FM (Milestone Radio), Canada’s first urban radio station, Flex became a part of another major step forward in the nation’s urban industry

In 2003, Flex was named as one of the four judges of Canadian Idol, CTV's national hit talent search program. Through the combination of his musical insight and the strength of his on-camera personality, he was able to help make Canadian Idol the most viewed television series in Canadian history for four consecutive seasons.

While he is quite known for the previously mentioned roles, Flex is also a Board member of VideoFACT, he served on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA), and as a juror for the Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Records (FACTOR). He has also served as a consultant to companies looking to understand the nation’s urban market and has played the lead role in presentations to the CRTC for two other urban stations in Canada.

Flex is the founder of Plasma Management & Productions Inc, and co-founder of Plasma Pictures Entertainment and Plasma Corporation, an integrated media company with a focus on producing and developing music, film and television projects. Artists under his company include Gary Beals, Toya Alexis, Belinda Brady, and Ammoye.

Flex has managed to parlay his celebrity status into what he refers to as “the most rewarding part of his career”, motivational speaking, where he speaks to young audiences across the nation, from the core of Toronto to the periphery of Canada’s Aboriginal Reserves.

Technology and Innovation Award - Dr. Victor E. Gooding

It is only in recent years that the reality of satellite technology has come to enter into the popular consciousness and into everyday life: whether it is satellite radio, satellite television, or satellite surveillance – innovation in this field touch most of our lives daily.

The work and career of Victor E. Gooding is a major contributor to this reality in our nation. Born in Barbados, he attended the Caribbean Meteorological Institute in Barbados, later working as a weather scientist at the Barbados Meteorological Office.

In 1969, he immigrated to Canada to attend Sir George Williams University in Montreal (now Concordia University). Throughout his entire academic career, including the completion of his Masters’ degree and PhD at Queen’s, Dr. Gooding received prestigious scholarships and awards of merit – not to mention innovations on communications technologies (e.g. new insight into the design of optimum communications transmission systems).

In addition to his academic exploits, he also played varsity soccer for four years, garnering MVP honours in 1973 and the Association of Alumni Award in 1973 as the top graduating athlete; he also set a number of national and school records in track and field.

In 1980, Dr. Gooding left Queen’s University to join Telesat Canada as a Senior Engineer. Telesat had been established in 1969 by the Federal Government and was operating its first set of satellites, the Anik A and Anik B series.

Dr. Gooding continued to move through the ranks, receiving numerous promotions and contributing to groundbreaking projects in communications technology.

He currently works as a Broadband Satellite specialist at Telesat Canada, the country’s leading satellite owner, operator and communications services provider.

His successful patent application for an innovative satellite system models was drawn from over twenty-seven years of experience in the telecommunications industry. This achievement was recognized last year by a Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE) First Invention Award.

In addition to his academic accolades and his invaluable contributions to satellite technology, Dr. Gooding has also carried on his love for sports. For the last twelve years he has maintained significant community involvement as a soccer coach, and is raising his two teenaged daughters with his wife. Notably, he also participated in the 1976 Olympics as a member of the Barbados National team.

Lifetime Acheivement Award - Dr. Leebert A Wright

Born in Jamaica, West Indies, Dr. Leebert Wright came to Canada in 1951 to study at McGill University.

After graduating, he assumed the position of Clinical Biochemist at the Montreal General Hospital with a cross appointment in the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University. Such arrangements continued after arriving in Toronto, where he held a director level position with a Toronto hospitals and played vital roles in major universities.

Following his M.Sc. in Biochemistry he worked as a biochemist in the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control before going to the University of Toronto to continue his studies in the Department of Pathological Chemistry. His outstanding work won him the Allan Hoffman Memorial Award.

While establishing a enviable career, Dr. Wright became a member of the Canadian Society of Clinical Chemistry (CSCC) where he had the opportunity of his life to work with some of the most outstanding scientists in the country dedicated to improving healthcare in Canada.

In 1971, Dr. Wright became President of the CSCC. His leadership and creative energies were directed towards research and development of a range of reference methods and tests for substances such as cholesterol, testosterone and other chemicals that directly affect the well-being of millions of people across Canada.

He also influenced the standardization of Clinical Chemistry in Canada while Chairman of influential national scientific bodies.

For his contribution to Clinical Chemistry and his advocacy both nationally and internationally the CSCC awarded Dr. Wright its most prestigious award, the Ames Award for outstanding contribution to the field of Clinical Chemistry.
He is also a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Clinical Biochemists and the National Academy of Clinical Biochemists in the United States.

Although retired, Dr. Wright remains actively engaged not only with the CSCC and a range of community organizations.

Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Ouida Marina Wright

The life of Dr. Ouida Marina Wright is one dedicated to education, and has touched more lives in this country than most will ever realize.

Throughout nearly fifty years of professional life, Dr. Wright held many influential positions ranging from teaching, consultative, supervisory and administrative positions in both elementary and secondary schools. These positions varied geographically from Jamaica, to Quebec and Ontario. She also held positions in the faculties of education at McGill University and the University of Toronto.

At McGill University, first as lecturer and then as Assistant Professor, Dr. Wright taught and conducted research in reading and the language arts, and she chaired the committee which developed the Master of Education (Teaching of Reading) degree as well as the Diploma in Reading granted by the Quebec Department of Education.

For fifteen years, Dr. Wright was a Superintendent of Curriculum in the Toronto Board of Education where she helped develop and supervise a wide range of policies, including race relations, multiculturalism, mathematics, health, science and music. During this portion of her career she initiated, coordinated and contributed to the Toronto Observation Project comprising a team of principals, consultants and teachers which developed curriculum materials based on theories of child development and learning acquisition to help meet the needs of the one of the most ethnically, racially, culturally and linguistically diverse cities in the world.

Her work in curriculum won her the Colonel Watson Award for curriculum development and the Canadian Women in Science Award for outstanding contribution to mathematics and science. .

Born in Jamaica, West Indies, Dr. Wright was educated at St. Andrew High School. Though she applied much of her expertise in Canada, her high school honoured her by inviting her to be a panelist at the school's 75th anniversary celebrations.

Dr. Ouida Wright retired in 1995 as Assistant Deputy Minister of Anti-racism, Access and Equity in Ontario's Ministry of Education and Training, in which she had the responsibility for the implementation of the provincial government's policies regarding these issues in elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions.

Health Services Award – Dr. Kwadwo Asante

Dr. Kwadwo Asante is a Pediatrician and Medical Director of the Asante Centre for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

Dr. Asante was born in Ghana, West Africa, where he obtained his early education. Later on, he won a scholarship to the University of British Columbia for undergraduate science studies and a B.Sc. degree. This was followed by medical training in the University of Glasgow, Scotland, after which, he returned to Canada for specialist pediatric training in Vancouver and Montreal.

To gain more practical experience in pediatric care, Dr. Asante chose to work in Northern British Columbia, a practice which soon grew to include responsibility for children in the Yukon. He soon came to take on this serious, but preventable, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which he realized was the cause of physical and developmental handicaps. He was one of the first physicians in Canada to study and write about the recognition and prevention of FAS.

Dr. Asante has continued to work in pediatrics, and has devoted his efforts to educating physicians, other health personnel, educators and the public about FAS. He has given numerous talks and workshops on the subject, traveling extensively in Canada, the United States, as well as internationally.

The Asante Centre for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome was opened in 2000 with the help of concerned parents and professionals, and was named the Asante Centre to recognize his work. The Centre provides assessments, diagnosis and support for children, youth and adults and the families of those with FAS.

Among the many awards and honors bestowed on Dr. Asante in recognition of his contributions to the health of children in Canada are his election as “Senior Member” of the Canadian Medical Association in 2000, an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Northern B.C.in 2004, and the award by the Governor General of Canada of the Meritorious Service Medal in 2005.

Trailblazer Award – Dr. Jean Augustine


















Much of the path that the life of Dr. Jean Augustine has taken is ground that had not been stepped on before her.

From 1993 to 2005 Augustine was a Liberal member of the Canadian House of Commons, representing the riding of Etobicoke—Lakeshore.

In the 1993 federal election, Augustine became the first African Canadian woman elected to the Parliament of Canada and subsequently the first Black woman in a federal Cabinet. She also served three terms as Chair of the National Liberal Women's Caucus.

She is a former member of Cabinet, and a former school principal. Notably, Augustine served as the Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Jean Chretien from 1994 to 1996.

In February 2002, Jean Augustine was elected Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. On May 26, 2002 Jean Augustine was appointed Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women). In December 2003, she was re-appointed to the new Cabinet as Minister of State (Multiculturalism and Status of Women). In 2004, she was appointed to the position of Assistant Deputy Chairs of Committees of the Whole, making her the first African Canadian to occupy the Speaker's Chair in the Canadian House of Commons. She was also the Minister of State for multiculturalism, and the status of women until
2004.

Jean Augustine holds a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Education and Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Toronto.

Through fundraising efforts, Ms. Augustine supports the Jean Augustine Scholarship Fund, which assists single mothers to undertake post-secondary study at
George Brown College.

On November 28 2005, Augustine announced her intention to retire and that she would not be a candidate in the 2006 Canadian election. While she is no longer directly involved in Canadian politics, the imprint of her presence and contributions will be felt in this nation for generations to come.

Business Award - Chief Emmanuel C. Mbulu


Adversity struck hard and early in the life of Chief Emmanuel C. Mbulu. Having been born in Igbodo, Delta State, Nigeria, he was only twelve years old when his father, a Chief, was brutally murdered just before the Nigerian civil war. He was severely impacted by his father's death.

Rather then be embittered by the situation, Chief Mbulu focused on living a virtuous personal life and inspiring the same in those he influenced.

In the years that would follow, he would arrive in Canada and was able to obtain an Honours BA in Economics from York University in Toronto, and a Masters of Business (MBA) and Public Administration (MPA) from Southwestern University in Washington, D.C..

As an entrepreneur, Chief Mbulu's influence extends throughout North America, to the African continent, and worldwide. He owns several companies in Canada, the United States, and Nigeria. As well, he is the President and CEO of Tone-A-Matic International Inc.

The value of his expertise has become quite recognized in business and social circles, leading to service on several corporate and community boards, including the Community Foundation of Mississauga, among many others.

In addition, Chief Mbulu is a special adviser to His Royal Highness The Obi (King) Of Igbodo Kingdom: he is a member of the Obi-Counsel, and is also his overseas representative.

His philanthropic work has both a national and international focus. His domestic involvements are highlighted by a York University scholarship being his name, the Annual African Canadian Teen Summer Jam, and his support of the Rainbow Ball.

Internationally, he has been instrumental in building numerous schools and churches abroad, with his efforts focused on Nigeria.

This saavy business man and advocate of community improvement has became a part Canada’s historical fabric after the approval of "Chief Mbulu Way" as a street name in Mississauga.