Black History Month laureates: Skipper Dean

Soul singer Skipper Dean says Montreal has a thriving black community with plenty of strong role models. However, he points out, there's still work to be done to ensure the city welcomes everybody.

• CBC's coverage of Black History Month Montreal
• Black History Month laureates: Madwa-Nika Cadet

Throughout February,Homerunwill bring you feature interviews with some of the 2015 Montreal Black History Month laureatesmembers of the black community who have had a major impact on Quebec society through their achievements.

The organization that runs Black History Month events in Montreal notes that long-time performer Dean's"showmanship and his rapport with his audience really set him apart fromhis contemporaries."

We've asked the laureates to answer the same five questions about their experience growing up, living and working inMontreal.

Who has inspired or influenced you the most?

Locally: Oliver Jones, Don Jordanand Trevor Payne. Internationally:Sam Cooke, Brook Benton, Marvin Gaye, Chuck Jackson, Jerry Butler, Etta James, Dinah Washington, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald to name a few. These wonderful people had a huge affect on my life in song and in the way I interacted with people.They inspired feeling in terms of how I sing my songs, courage, pride and endurance.

"Montreal's black community" means different things to different people. What does community look like to you?

The black community is still a vibrant and thriving community with many talented and industrious people who have contributed muchto the city of Montreal.

The city has changed in many ways over the years. We've lost many of our heritage buildings in the community, including the NCC [Negro Community Centre], a building wheremany of us owea great debt. We wereproud of ourselves, educated about lifeand instilled with the belief we could accomplishanything we set out to do.

I am personallythankful for the wonderfulpeople thatloved and taught uswhen we were growing up.

Who in Montreal's black community do you turn to when you need advice or want to talk something through?

Rev. Darryl Gray, Don Jordan and, most of all, my best friend Tony Yearwood have all assisted me in some of my major projects.They have always helped me seethrough the blind spots that were cloudingwhateverissues I was having.

In music, I look to my fellow entertainers as well, as we share many of the sameexperiences in the business.

Have you experienced racism in Montreal? How has that shaped you?

As a child and growing up, there were many instances of racism. Although, Montreal was always a very open city compared to many others. But still today,as with the case of Freddie James which was on the news last night, the police andothers still feel they havethe right to judge people by the colour of their skininstead of the content of their character.

How well do you think Montreal deals with its diverse communities?

The first time I've protested in years was against the charter of rights and values of the Parti Qubcois. In many instances, I feel Quebec can be a closed society.

Tune intoHomeruneveryThursday in Februaryto hear interviews with the 2015 Montreal Black History Month laureatesliveand check out our weekly web series.