International Recording Artist & Four time Juno & MMVA Awards winner KARDINAL OFFISHALL to host the 2012 Planet Africa Awards, Oct 27th at Roy Thomson Hall! The Toronto bred star has criss-crossed the globe performing in some of the most prestigious stadiums, arenas and festivals, winning fans over worldwide.  Kardi first created his worldwide buzz through incredible rhymes carefully laced with patois, which was fresh to the world’s music scene. In 2008, Kardinal joined forces with Akon and his Kon Live Music/Interscope imprint. This musical marriage gave birth to millions of songs sold and chart topping singles around the world including “Numba One” and of course the smash hit “Dangerous” featuring Akon. Kardinal Offishall is a four-time Juno award winner, multiple ASCAP award winner and Socan award winner.  He also holds four MMVA’s under his belt, along with epic MMVA performances. This year, the Planet Africa Awards is even bigger and better than ever before with the new addition of a Celebrity Emcee for the exclusive VIP Pre Awards Dinner hosted by Canada’s funny man Jay Martin. Jay Martin, labeled by Toronto Star as “Canada’s rising Comic” in the early years, has worked with such greats as Jamie Foxx, Brian McKnight and Russell Peters.  Martin’s infectious appeal has spread across the Caribbean and the U.S. Jay Martin has produced shows with headliners such as Eddie Griffin, Tommy Davidson and cedric the Entertainer. Recipients of 2012 Planet Africa Awards Professional Excellence | Ray Williams Managing Director, National Bank Ray Williams is a Managing Director of National Bank Financial. He is responsible for the Risk Management Solutions Group, which delivers market risk solutions to Governments and Financial Institutions. He is also a former president of the Urban Financial Services Coalition.   Nelson Mandela Humanitarian Award | Senator Don Meredith Community Advocate and Founder, GTA Faith Alliance. The Alliance is an organization whose mandate is to empower through faith and education, by implementing programs and activities designed to deter at-risk youth from embarking on a life of crime.   Planet Africa Media Award | Vivica A. Fox Hollywood Actor and Producer. Vivica is star of the hit TV series Missing and has served as one of the lead producers of the series. She has starred in many television programs and films. Vivica is an NAACP Image Award recipient, among other accolades.   Enterprise Award | Isaac Jr. Olowolafe President and CEO, Dream Maker Corporation. Isaac is a recipient of the Top 30 Under 30 Award from the Toronto Board of Trade. His company has managed over half a billion dollars in real estate and related investments.   Leadership Award | Douglas Orane Executive Chairman of Grace Kennedy. Under Orane’s leadership, Grace Foods has grown to become one of the Caribbean’s largest and most dynamic corporate entities, with over 60 subsidiaries and associated companies in the Caribbean, North and Central America, the United Kingdom and now in Africa. Marcus Garvey Memorial Award | Dr. Christopher Morgan President, Black Health Alliance. Dr. Morgan was instrumental in advocating for Taibu Health Centre, a healthcare facility with a mandate to develop and provide specialized programs and services to the African Canadian community and others in the Greater Toronto Area.   Heritage Award | Brainerd Blyden-Taylor Founder, Nathaniel Dett Chorale Brainerd is the founder of Canada’s first professional chamber choir dedicated to the creation and performance of Afrocentric music of all styles.   African Renaissance Award | Dr. Edward Galabuzi Professor and Activist. Dr. Galabuzi has worked in the Ontario government as a Senior Policy Analyst on justice issues, and he is a former provincial coordinator of the Ontario Alliance for Employment Equity. He is a Professor of Political Science at Ryerson University.   Sports and Athletics Award | Shelly Ann Brown Olympian and Bobsledder. She founded and directed Camp Education and Direction for Intelligent and Fit Youth also known as (E.D.I.F.Y). She is a true inspiration of Olympic proportions. She has made a commitment to change the lives of Canadian youth.   Entertainment Award | Zach Orji Legendary Nollywood Actor and Humanitarian Zach has starred in over 200 movies in Nollywood, Nigeria’s fledging film industry. Known as one of the industry’s coolest guys, he is also a successful businessman, who has worked to improve the lives of the less privileged in Africa.   Volunteer Award | Frances Delsol Community Leader and Associate Director at Bell Canada Frances is the President of Council of Caribbean Associations and President of the Commonwealth of Dominica Ontario Association – CDOA. She is also an Associate Director at Bell Canada.   Rising Star Award | Majid Michel African movie Actor and Producer A native of Ghana, Majid won the Best Actor Award at the African Movie Academy Awards for 2012. He is one of the industry’s most sought-after stars, both in Ghana as well as in Nigeria.   Academic Achievement | Geoffrey Kasonde Achiever despite hurdles Geoffrey Kasonde is a survivor of domestic violence. His father shot and killed is brother and sister and is serving a life sentence. His mother died of cancer a couple of years later. His only other brother died of sickle cell anemia, which he also suffers from, yet Geoffrey exemplifies the strength of the human spirit.   Development Award | Pauline Christian President, Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA). Pauline is also the Founder, CEO and President of Best Lifestyle Residence, a retirement home in the county of Simcoe, Ontario. She has also worked at Bell Canada for over 20 years.   Science and Technology Award | Dr. Abraham Katampe Renowned Scientist and Inventor Dr. Katampe is a scientist in a company of inventors like the Wright Brothers, inventors of the airplane. His achievements are an inspiration to many across the United States of America. He is the proprietor of Iya Technologies, a biotechnology research and development firm.   Lifetime Achievement Award | Reverend Alvin Nicholson Chair, African Canadian Christian Network (ACCN) ACCN is an organization established to assist Black youth lead violence free and productive lives through funding initiatives by Churches in the Toronto area. ACCN has given out millions of dollars to fund programs in the community.     RECIPIENTS OF THE DIVERSITY AWARDS   Diversity Award for Global Impact Belinda Stronach, Founder, Belinda Stronach Foundation. Belinda’s foundation has undertaken the Spread the Net campaign in partnership with UNICEF Canada, to distribute over half a million anti-malarial mosquito bed nets to various countries across Africa.   Diversity for Compassion Harpreet Sethi, CEO, Grand Victorian Centre and Radisson Plaza Mississauga Sethi is the President of Black Diamond Entertainments & Founder of Sethi Foundation. He has won numerous awards such as ‘Hotelier of the Year’ by MidWeek Media Group, ‘Builder of the Year’ by Builders Architect Magazine, ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ by Indo Canadian Chamber of Commerce. His philanthropic endeavors include presenting a gift of $500,000 as a charity to the William Osler Health Centre.   Diversity Award for the Advancement of Equity Jennifer Tory, Regional President, RBC Royal Bank Jennifer has supported many community causes. She is currently the Chair of Sunnybrook Hospital’s $470 million Capital Campaign. She also serves as a Director of the Toronto International Film Festival and the Toronto Board of Trade.   Diversity Award for Changing Lives Peter Sloly, Deputy Chief, Toronto Police Service. Deputy Chief Sloly has worked with various Community organizations to provide leadership in empowering youth and curbing youth violence. An avid soccer player, he is dedicated to harmony and excellence.   Diversity Award for Public Service His Worship Frank Scarpitti, Mayor of the City of Markham Under Mayor Scarpitti’s Watch, Markham gained City status. As mayor of one of the most diverse cities in the world, he is dedicated to promoting equity and harmony in Markham and beyond.   Diversity Award for Transformation Senator Ann Cools, Trail Blazer Senator Cools is the first Black member of the Senate of Canada. Over the years, she has committed herself to making a difference in the lives of Canadians. SPECIAL TRIBUTES   Special Community Icon Award Charles Roach, Lawyer and Civil Rights Activist Roach was instrumental in advocating for many Americans who were fleeing persecution in the United States during the Civil Rights era. He is also one of the co-founders of Caribana. His achievements and impact are far reaching.   African Icon Award Marcus Garvey, Legendary Leader Garvey was a proponent of the Pan-African movement. His political and social philosophies remain a part of the consciousness of the world today. This contributed to the commencement of the Civil Rights era in the United States and the independence movements across Africa.   In Memoriam Dr. Herbert H. Carnegie, Hockey Legend Dr. Herbert Carnegie passed on to glory in March 2012. He was one of the best hockey players that Canada produced, but could not play in the National Hockey League because of the colour of his skin. He went on to found the Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation, among other initiatives.]]>