By Twylan Greatest
Neighborhood Growth activist Kenneth Jeffers acquired the “Pioneer in Pan” award on the twenty seventh annual Snowflakes on Metal live performance.
Jeffers was a founding father of the Harriet Tubman Centre, the primary Black multi-service centre in Toronto, and launched a number of applications together with pan courses. With greater than 45 years’ expertise in proactive advocacy, group improvement, and strategic planning, Jeffers has been a life-long mentor for younger group members.
Talking on the award ceremony, Jeffers famous that his “journey” began as one in every of various “pan pioneers”, giving classes and organizing “blockos” – group road events. He recalled his contributions to Afropan Steelband, hopping from pan-yard to pan-yard, blocko to blocko, advocating for rights of pan gamers within the metropolis of Toronto.
Jeffers recall the go to of American singer Issac Hayes to the Centre: impressed by his first expertise of pan, Hayes invited the band to open his present on the O’Keeffe Centre. Jeffers additionally spoke of the go to of the Tubman Survivors Steelband to Ottawa for centennial yr.
A particular tribute was paid to the late “mas man” Ronnie De Vignes for his contribution to pan music. His spouse Nancy De Vignes accepted the award on behalf of her late husband.
“Particular Neighborhood Awards” went to Jeff Walcott, Selwyn Cowie and Garnett Andrews. Naz Palmer and Tatum Prince have been acknowledged with the “Lady in Pan” award. The “Lifetime Award” was offered to Winston “Pappy” Fredrick. The viewers was entertained with pan performances by Panatics Steelband Community, Oshawa Sounds of Metal, Toronto All Stars Metal Orchestra, Afropan Metal Orchestra and the Pan Fantasy Steelband.
The numerous efforts and contributions of Jeffers and others not solely helped to put the inspiration of the pan group we all know at present, nevertheless it additionally helped to instill love for pan and tradition.
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