Holland Awards honour stars of Hamilton's black community

The co-founders of Black Lives Matter (BLM) Toronto and a USA Today bestselling author were among those honoured at the 2018 John C. Holland Awards in Hamilton Saturday night.

The awards, now entering their 22nd year, honour people from the area's black community who are making significant community contributions.

"Most exciting is being recognized with Pascale Diverlus," tweeted BLM Toronto co-founder Rodney Diverlus, who won the Evelyn Myrie Political Action Award alongside his sister.

"Siblings by blood, comrades in struggle, co-conspirators and co-agitators. Well done sis!"

Author Kayla Perrin took home the Arts, Arts Industry and Entertainment Award. Perrin has published dozens of books, spanning genres from romance to suspense.

The Hamilton Black History Committee and is named in memory of Rev. John C. Holland, who was the son of a runaway slave and became a minister at Hamilton's iconic Stewart Memorial Church.

He was named Hamilton's Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 1953, and was the first black person to be named a citizen of the year anywhere in Canada.

Here's the complete list of winners from last night's event:

• Nelson Mandela Scholarship: Joelsa Domingos
• Lincoln Alexander Scholarship: Kayonne Christy
• Raymond G Lewis Scholarship: Alec Purnell
• YWCA Scholarship: Kudakwashe Chakanyuka
• Marlene Thomas Scholarship: Chigwe Worenwu
• Rev. George Horton Scholarship: Vivica Letang
• Dr. Ethilda Johnson Bursary: Angelique DeSouza
• Audre Lorde Scholarship: Jordan Mathurin
• Evelyn Myrie Bursary: Sharon Nwamadi
• Arts, Arts Industry & Entertainment
• Award: Kayla Perrin
• Business & Professional Achievement
• Award: Dr. Lorna Marguerite Browne
• Black History Committee Award: Marcella Fontaine
• Ally Award: Judith Bishop
• Evelyn Myrie Political Action Award: Pascale Diverlus
• Evelyn Myrie Political Action Award: Rodney Diverlus