January 31, 2025
The highly anticipated University of West Indies (UWI) Toronto Benefit Awards is proud to announce its 2025 honourees for the 16th annual evening of recognition in support of scholarships for Caribbean students. The prestigious event will take place on Saturday April 26th, 2025 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 181 Wellington Street, Toronto at 5:30pm EST.
Hosted by The University of the West Indies (UWI), top ranked among the world’s best universities, this year’s theme, Bridging the Gap, reflects the UWI’s unwavering promise to Caribbean students and their communities.
“This is a proud night for the Caribbean diaspora, and it does more than just bridge gaps; it builds and strengthens communities, uniting us in a shared vision of education, empowerment, and recognition of leaders and mentors who guide the way forward,” says Dr. Donette Chin-Loy Chang, UWI Toronto Benefit Awards Co-Patron.
This not-to-be-missed night on the Toronto social calendar cultivates a high-profile guestlist of corporate executives, public personalities and community members committed to giving back to the Caribbean.
Here are the 2025 Honourees:
● Luminary Award: Dr. Jason Drew Harrow (Kardinal Offishall) – Multi-platinum rapper and producer, Def Jam – Global A&R, Canada’s Got Talent judge
● G. Raymond Chang Award: Mr. Myron Garron and Mrs. Berna Garron – Canadian philanthropists, who have contributed millions to paediatric health and Canadian healthcare institutions
● Chancellor’s Award: Onyx Initiative – a non-profit organization founded by Wayne and Nigela Purboo designed to expand the recruitment pipeline and close the systemic gap in the hiring, retention and promotion of Black college and university students, and recent graduates for roles in corporate Canada
● Vice Chancellor’s Award:
○ Mr. Mark Beckles, Community Investment Initiatives – RBC Royal Bank, President & CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada)
○ Ms. Patricia DeGuire – Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, , co-founder of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers and the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada
○ Ms. Leslie Woo, CEO at CivicAction, Founder of shebuildscities.org
Headlining the night’s entertainment is The Voice (season 5) winner, Jamaican singer-songwriter Tessanne Chin, who was also a UWI Toronto Benefit Luminary Honouree in 2014. Also performing are Thunder Dome Sounds featuring Eddie Bullen, Quincy Bullen, Tré-Michael Bullen and Belinda Brady, along with saxophonist Jesse Ryan.
The UWI Toronto Benefit Awards has awarded more than 1,000 scholarships to Caribbean students. For the 16th consecutive year, Scotiabank is the lead chair and sponsor. Primary sponsors for this year’s event are Dr. Donette Chin-Loy Chang, Sprott Inc., the Hibbert Family Foundation, BDO and the Raymond Chang Foundation.
The Patrons of the UWI Toronto Benefit Awards are Dr. Donette Chin-Loy Chang, Mr. Kevin Hibbert and Mrs. Ann-Marie Hibbert, all passionate supporters of higher education and the UWI Student Scholarship Fund.