The Hon. Jean Augustine in the News:
The following are some recent news articles on Jean Augustine, her work, or various causes and initiatives in her name.
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Date: March 21, 2022
Article: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Friends,
Today is a very important day – March 21st – the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination as declared by the United Nations. It commemorates the day in 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa, when police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws”.
Each year, this day recognizes that the injustices and prejudices that are rooted in racial discrimination take place every day.
This 2022 year’s theme is “Voices for Action Against Racism”. It stresses the importance of meaningful public participation and advocacy to prevent and combat racial discrimination. It also reaffirms how important it is for us to fully respect the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and the protection of civic space. Lastly, it recognizes the very real challenges racial discrimination imposes on people each and every day.
In short, the theme urges us all to feel empowered to speak out and mobilize against of racial discrimination and injustice; and to help protect others who have the courage to speak out.
In Canada, this date is an opportunity to reflect on the fact that while progress has been made, Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities and religious minorities in Canada continue to face racism and discrimination every day.
It is also a day to re-commit our efforts to combat all forms of racial discrimination, injustice, systemic racism and hate to ensure a world where everyone is respected, safe, and has equitable access to contribute meaningfully to all aspects of society.
So this is a day for residents of Canada and others around the world to speak out and vocally reject all forms of racism, discrimination, and hatred. But we also have to take action.
As I look back over the years of my own involvement on the frontlines of advocacy, I can tell you that we have indeed made some progress in Canada and around the world. We have gained some ground in our efforts to fight systemic racism and injustice. But there is still much more to do.
Today, far too many people still face discrimination and hate based on the colour of their skin, their background, or their faith. So today, March 21st, is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to building a more just and inclusive society – one free of the scourge of racism and discrimination.
It is a fact that the COVID‑19 pandemic has laid bare and exacerbated social and economic exclusion and inequity for Black Canadians, Indigenous Peoples, and other racialized and religious minority communities. We have our work cut out for us.
We must continue working together to address systemic repression whenever and where-ever it rears its ugly head.
As we continue on in the United Nation’s International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-24), we must be mindful of the urgency with which we must work to combat all forms of anti‑Black racism.
This includes tackling inequities in the social, health, and economic well‑being of Black Canadians – including the criminal justice system.
As a community, it is especially important that we remain committed to doing all it takes to give our young people every opportunity to compete fairly – every opportunity to succeed.
We need to root out racism in our schools, our healthcare system, our places of work, and our institutions of social support. We must become leaders in advocating for improved outcomes. In so doing, we empower our communities, build awareness and change attitudes. We all have a role to play.
I have always believed that each person, through self-improvement and helping others, has an obligation to make a difference for good in the world.
By encouraging each other to become better individuals – – better partners; better mothers and fathers, and ultimately, better citizens; we build a better community. That includes finding, encouraging and including allies in the good work.
So, today, March 21st – the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we recognize that we have come a long way. This is good. But we still have a ways to go.
Let’s make sure our sleeves are stilled rolled up. There is good work ahead that we can do together to help build a safer, fairer, and more inclusive country and world for everyone.
Thank you.
Jean
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Date: February 25, 2021
Media Release – Jean Augustine – Bridge for Change:
$203,330 Raised in 25 Days for The Jean Augustine Chair The 25K in 25 Days Fundraiser Exceeds Its Goal Thanks to the Community, Accenture Canada, Wes Hall and York University
February 25th, 2021 (Toronto, ON) – The Honourable Jean Augustine put the call out on February 1st to the community to match a generous donation of $25,000 by Accenture Canada in support of the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora at York University and they answered the call and surpassed it! $26 665 was donated in 25 days and with Accenture matching it, more than $50,000 has been raised. “This is a proud moment for me – especially because we did this in Black History Month,” says Dr. Augustine. “The community and our corporate allies stepped up and their investment in the Chair will improve the education and the lives of Black students and their families.”
An additional generous donation of $50,000 was made by the Wes and Christine Hall Family Foundation bringing the community donations to $101,655. York University committed to matching community donations dollar for dollar up to $1 million when the Chair fundraising was launched over a decade ago, which means the grand total raised is $203,330.
Wes Hall is the Executive Chair and Founder of Kingsdale Advisors and challenged others with the means to meet or better his $50,000 contribution.
“On behalf of my family, we are proud to be able to contribute to funding that supports the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora at York University. Dr. Augustine has been a true trailblazer and instrumental in creating positive change for Black Canadians,” said Hall, who is also the Chair of the Black North Initiative. “It is an honour to be part of this initiative to further advance the education and the lives of Black students and the overall enrichment of our community.”
At the age of 83, Dr. Augustine has raised $1.8 million in community donations matched by York University for the endowment of the Chair. A total of $3 million is needed for it to continue in perpetuity. Accenture Canada is the first corporation to join Dr. Augustine with a significant contribution, and she is hoping that other allies will help her reach the $3 million goal.
“Diversity makes us stronger, smarter and more innovative, and that’s why Accenture is honoured to support Dr. Augustine – an inspirational force who continues to make an immense impact on the lives and education of Black and other racialized Canadians through research, policies and programs,” said Jeffrey Russell, president of Accenture in Canada.
This month’s $25,000 challenge was impactful as this is the 25th anniversary of Black History Month becoming officially recognized by the Canadian government. A motion that was single-handedly pushed by Dr. Augustine and received unanimous consent in the House of Commons.
The Jean Augustine Chair is one of only two university endowed Canadian Chairs dedicated to research and knowledge mobilization efforts in Black and other racialized communities. In recent years it has become an important research hub accessible to community agencies to actively inform policies and programs across Canada.
To learn more or support the future of The Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora visit – https://www.jacendowmentfund.ca
Media Contact: Fennella Bruce | FKB Media Solutions | Fennella@FKBMedia.com
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Date: February 1, 2021 — MEDIA RELEASE
To learn more or support the future of The Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora visit – https://www.jacendowmentfund.ca/ Follow the 25 Days of Jean on Instagram
Contact: Spencer Sweeney | FKB Media Solutions | Spencer@FKBMedia.com
About Accenture Canada
Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services — all powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 506,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com
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Date: December 4, 2020
Announcement: In lieu of the Hon. Jean Augustine’s Status of Women Commission event on December 7th, we are excited to share Ms. Augustine’s full audio speech on the Commission on the Status of Women (40 year anniversary).
To listen to Ms. Augustine’s full speech, please stream below:
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Date: October 25, 2020
In the News: Mayor Bevilacqua presents Jean Augustine with the Key to the City of Vaughan.
Watch the full presentation below:
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Date: July 8, 2020
In the News: Spice Island Cultural Day Association of Quebec celebrates Grenada with a Summer Virtual Festival; July 11, 2020 from 1pm-9pm.
A showcase of young entrepreneurs in the Diaspora will be facilitated by Honorable Dr. Jean Augustine, Canadian politician and community leader.
For more information please click on the link below:
https://themontrealeronline.com/2020/07/montreal-spice-island-cultural-festival-july-11-2020/
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Date: June 26, 2020
Announcement: City of Vaughan Mayor, Maurizio Bevilacqua, to present the Hon. Jean Augustine with Key to the City.
To read the official press release please click on the link below:
https://www.vaughan.ca/news/Pages/Mayor-Bevilacqua-to-present-Jean-Augustine-with-Key-to-the-City.aspx
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Date: May 7, 2020
In the News: The Hon. Jean Augustine comments in TVO article “‘Our young people are struggling’: Supporting youth in need during COVID-19”
To read the TVO article please click on the link below:
https://www.tvo.org/article/our-young-people-are-struggling-supporting-youth-in-need-during-covid-19
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Date: May 1, 2020
In the News: Toronto.com – “GoFundMe campaign launched to save Etobicoke’s Jean Augustine Centre”
The Jean Augustine Centre has been providing after-school programming to girls in Toronto’s South Etobicoke area since 2014.
To read the Toronto.com article please click on the link below:
https://www.toronto.com/news-story/9966482-gofundme-campaign-launched-to-save-etobicoke-s-jean-augustine-centre/
To Donate to the GoFundMe campaign, please visit the link below – your support is truly appreciated:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/jean-augustine-centre-fundraiser
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Date: March 5, 2020
In the News: Mississauga.com – “CACD Black History Month celebration 2020”
To read the Mississauga.com article please click on the link below:
https://www.mississauga.com/community-story/9876324-cacd-black-history-month-celebration-2020/
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Date: February 27, 2020
In the News: Ontario.ca – “The 2018 Appointees to the Order of Ontario.”
“The first Black woman elected to the House of Commons, Hon. Jean Augustine served as MP and Cabinet Minister from 1993 to 2006. She has contributed to Canada’s official multiculturalism policy and the Metro Toronto Anti-Drug Strategy, and served on boards in the areas of education, health care, and housing.”
To read the full Ontario.ca article please click on the link below:
https://news.ontario.ca/mtc/en/2020/02/the-2018-appointees-to-the-order-of-ontario.html
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Date: February 25, 2020
In the News: Guelphtoday.com – “Jean Augustine tells U of G gathering how she got February declared Black History Month”
To read the Guelphtoday.ca article please click on the link below:
https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/jean-augustine-tells-u-of-g-gathering-how-she-got-february-declared-black-history-month-2118610
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Date: February 8, 2020
In the News: CBC Radio – “Retired MP overcame hurdles to secure Black History Month designation”
To read and listen to the CBC segment please click on the link below:
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thehouse/chris-hall-was-ottawa-right-to-quarantine-canadians-evacuated-from-wuhan-1.5454763/retired-mp-overcame-hurdles-to-secure-black-history-month-designation-1.5454782
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Date: January 31, 2020
In the News: National Union of General and Public Employees – “Black History Month 2020”
To read the NUGPE article please click on the link below:
https://nupge.ca/content/black-history-month-2020
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Date: January 30, 2020
In the News: NewmarketToday.ca – “York police proud to celebrate 24 years of Black History Month”
To read the NewmarketToday.ca article please click on the link below:
https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/police-beat/york-police-proud-to-celebrate-24-years-of-black-history-month-2057423
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Date: December 10, 2019
In the News: TVO.org – “The big endorsement, Part 5: Mitzie Hunter”
To read the Steve Paikin article, please click on the link below:
https://www.tvo.org/article/the-big-endorsement-part-5-mitzie-hunter
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Date: November 20, 2019
In the News: “Women’s Executive Network Selects Jean Augustine as 2019 Accenture Inclusion Vanguard Award Winner”
To read the Women’s Executive Network article, please click on the link below:
https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/women-s-executive-network-selects-jean-augustine-as-2019-accenture-inclusion-vanguard-award-winner-839393967.html
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Date: November 20, 2019
In the News: Financial Post – “Inclusion Vanguard Award”
To read the Financial Post article, please click on the link below:
https://business.financialpost.com/executive/executive-women/inclusion-vanguard-award-2
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Date: November 7, 2019
In the News: “Canadian Ethnic Media Association 41st Annual Awards Gala November 15, 2019”
To read the CEMA’s article, please click on the link below:
https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canadian-ethnic-media-association-41st-annual-awards-gala-november-15-2019-880262900.html
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Date: June 11, 2019
In the News: Vaughan.ca – “Mayor Bevilacqua meets with Hon. Jean Augustine”
To read the Vaughan.ca article, please click on the link below:
https://www.vaughan.ca/news/Pages/Mayor-Bevilacqua-meets-with-Hon-Jean-Augustine.aspx
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Date: February 28, 2019
In the News: Fort McMurrary Today – “Gallery: Fort McMurray celebrates Black History Month”
To read the Fort McMurrary article, please click on the link below:
https://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/news/local-news/gallery-fort-mcmurray-celebrates-black-history-month
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Date: February 27, 2019
In the News: Ottawa Citizen – “Molepo: Ottawa school boards must do more to teach Black history”
To read the Ottawa Citizen article, please click on the link below:
https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/molepo-ottawa-school-boards-must-do-more-to-teach-black-history
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Date: February 7, 2019
In the News: Toronto.com – “Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment now a charity”
To read the Toronto.com article, please click on the link below:
https://www.toronto.com/news-story/9151914-jean-augustine-centre-for-young-women-s-empowerment-now-a-charity/
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Date: February 4, 2019
In the News: Nunatsiaq News – “Jean Augustine kicks off Black History Month in Iqaluit”
To read the Nunatsiaq News article, please click on the link below:
https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/jean-augustine-kicks-off-black-history-month-in-iqaluit/
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Date: February 1, 2019
In the News: CBC News – “5 Black-Canadian leaders who inspired a generation.”
To read the CBC article, please click on the link below:
https://www.cbc.ca/cbcdocspov/m_features/5-black-canadian-leaders-who-inspired-a-generation
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Date: September 25, 2018
In the News: Simon Fraser University News – “Keeping the spirit of Gandhi alive: Jean Augustine to receive Thakore Visiting Scholar Award”
To read the Simon Fraser University article, please click on the link below:
https://www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stories/2018/09/human-rights-advocate-jean-augustine-thakore-visiting-scholar.html
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Date: August 17, 2018
In the News: Unifor – “Hon. Jean Augustine presented with Unifor’s Nelson Mandela Award”
To read the Unifor article, please click on the link below:
https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/hon-jean-augustine-presented-with-unifors-nelson-mandela-award-691133361.html
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Date: June 1, 2017
In the News: Brampton Guardian News- “Jean Augustine Secondary School — JASS”
To read the Brampton Guardian article, please click on the link below:
https://www.bramptonguardian.com/opinion-story/7348111-jean-augustine-secondary-school-jass/
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Date: February 17, 2017
In the News: Brampton Guardian News- “Jean Augustine Secondary School meets the real Jean Augustine”
To read the Brampton Guardian article, please click on the link below:
https://www.bramptonguardian.com/news-story/7146665-jean-augustine-secondary-school-meets-the-real-jean-augustine/
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Date: February 1, 2017
In the News: The Oshawa Express – “Region launches Black History Month celebrations”
To read The Oshawa Express article, please click on the link below:
https://oshawaexpress.ca/region-launches-black-history-month-celebrations/
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Date: January 26, 2016
Announcement: CBC News – “Former politician Jean Augustine gets Brampton school named after her”
To read the CBC article, please click on the link below:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/jean-augustine-peel-1.3421426
