From a head boy to an editor, Neil Armstrong has always been on a path of leadership.
At the Jamaica’s Independence and Jamaican Canadian Association’s Anniversary Gala: Celebrating 60 years of Greatness, he, among four others, were recipients of the Community Service Awards, August 13, at the Jamaican Canadian Centre, in Toronto.
Journalist Neil Armstrong collects his Award from Chris Campbell, Vice President of the Toronto Carpenters’ Union Local 27.
Armstrong was well received by patrons of the auspicious occasion as he is well-known in the community, especially supporting and contributing factual items to any periodical subject matter that is Jamaican.
In fact, he was a member of the editorial team of the book, Jamaicans in Canada: When Ackee Meets Codfish, published in 2012. A strong supporter of initiatives that celebrate Black communities in Canada, the editor of the Jamaican Weekly Gleaner (North American edition) and the now-defunct Black Pages Directory, is the literary coordinator of the annual Black and Caribbean Book Affair and the monthly literary salons, organized by Blackhurst Cultural Centre in Toronto, formerly A Different Booklist Cultural Centre.
Journalists Sophia Findlay of Sofi Style and Neil Armstrong
The journalist, who has worked in radio, newspaper, and television, is often called upon to do book reviews as he is an avid reader, as well as a keen listener, which augured well for him during his roles as news, and program director, at CHRY Radio at York University.
During his acceptance speech, Armstrong spoke fondly of his late grandfather, a shoemaker, who operated his business on Deanery Road, Vineyard Town, in Kingston, and who he says was instrumental in piquing his desire to become a wordsmith, mainly because he would sit near his work stool to read the Gleaner, the oldest newspaper in the Caribbean, now 188-year-old.
“My grandfather encouraged my reading of the paper, and my parents nurtured that love. My late mother taught me kindness and to be always willing to help someone along the way. She was the exemplar of those qualities,” he shared to hundreds in the audience.
The Brampton resident was a head boy at St. Jago High School, the secondary educational institute he attended during his formative years living in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, Jamaica. He expressed gratitude for his parents’ guidance, which in essence paved the way for his first job at Jamaica’s Social Security Ministry, right after high school, then later, as a junior librarian at the Kingston & St. Andrew Parish Library.
Though not inclined to be in the spotlight he says, “I was pleasantly surprised when I read the email informing me about it,” but nonetheless is humbled and felt honoured for the public demonstration by the 60-year-old Jamaican Canadian Association, which is celebrating a diamond Jubilee as the island home, Jamaica
“Thank you, JCA for this award… I accept it and honour my mother while doing so. She provided a steady pathway for me to follow. The proverbial village is strong and will always be supportive. I will continue to play my part in it,” stated the media advocate, graciously from the podium.
“My father, who could not be here tonight, taught me to always strive to do my best. My siblings, extended family, and friends (and I count among them many from my childhood), provided a strong support for me over the years,” Armstrong concluded, to a thunderous applause.
Jamaica Canadian Association 60th anniversary recipients and active JCA foundation members.
Back row, left to right: Adria Babbington, Sandra Whiting, Hyacinth Wilson, Eunice Graham, Kathy McDonald, Roy Williams, Camille Hannays-King and Neil Armstrong
Seated, left to right: Bruce McDonald, Bernice Bailey, Pam Powell
Missing are Francella Moore, Wilbert Johnson and Michelle Davis
The three other Community Service Award recipients are: leader Camille Hannays-King, unionist Andria Babbington, and equity advocate Kathy McDonald.
In the meantime, four individuals were given awards for ‘35 Years of Continuous Service and Lifetime Achievement’ — Sandra Whiting, Bruce McDonald, Francella Moore, and Eunice Graham. Wilbert Johnson was recognized for 25 years of continuous membership, Michelle Davis took the President award, and Hyacinth Wilson received the Volunteer of the Year.
Keynote speaker was Jamaica-born Dr. Mary Anne Chambers, who was named in April the 10th Chancellor of the University of Guelph. She is a former Scotiabank senior Vice-President and former Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Minister of Children and Youth Services. Also, Dr. Chambers is Chair of the Board of Grace Foods Canada Inc.
Her memoir, From the Heart, has recently been published by Dundurn Press, which she read to eager listeners, during her address. The evening ended with a bang with the class act of live music extraordinaire, The Arsenals Ska Band, and sound system Soul to Soul.
Sophia Findlay is a Toronto-based journalist, who is a society columnist, lifestyle connoisseur, custom content curator, podcast host, social media blogger and mother of two, who aims to inspire through her news, reviews, and on-the-ground reporting.
Her Sofi Style column also appears regularly in the Jamaica Gleaner North America Online Branded publication.
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