On Saturday, October 25th, 2025, the recognition and celebration of Afro Caribbean youth living in Grey and Bruce Counties took centre stage at the third annual Afro Caribbean Youth Awards.
Held at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine, the event featured several speakers including
Dr. Eugenia Addy, CEO of Visions and Science, dedicated to equitable STEM access and community transformation. Dr. Addy, featured on the Afrocentric mural at the Davidson Centre, gave a powerful and informative speech about her love for science, the importance of breaking barriers, and the need for diversity in all spaces but particularly in scientific research.
Pastor Wonder Chimvinga of Pine River United Church once again opened the evening with warm greetings, continuing a beloved tradition by teaching the audience to say “Zvakanaka kuva pano,” which is Shona (a Zimbabwean language) for “it’s nice to be here.”
Emcees for the evening were three local youths – Serena Hunter, Rowland Hartwick, and David Ofenor – as well as Andrea Clarke, Deputy Mayor for the Municipality of Kincardine. Together, they presented awards to the following young community members in recognition and celebration of their achievements:
Recipients aged 5 to 13:
Recipients aged 14 to 18:
Recipients aged 19 to 25:
· Fredia Faith Mboe · Anastasija Mona Lisa Veljović
Bruce Power Leadership Awards and Scholarships: Daniel Playfair, Vice President of MCR Future Unit Preparation Projects at Bruce Power, presented the Bruce Power Leadership awards to four youth whose significant contributions to their communities have made their families, peers, and teachers immensely proud. The recipients were David
Ofenor, Joliciah Williams, Katarina Veljović, and Fredia Faith Mboe. Each will receive a $1250 scholarship from Bruce Power to support their education and continue their journey of leadership and service. Playfair congratulated the scholarship winners, as well as all the evening’s recipients, noting that their achievements are a testament to hard work and dedication. He looks forward to seeing the incredible impact they will continue to make in the future.
The Municipality of Kincardine would like to thank Bruce Power for their tremendous support of the Afro Caribbean Youth Awards, and for providing the four scholarships.
The 2025 Afro Caribbean Youth Awards would not have been possible without the hard work and support of these residents and community partners:
· Community residents Lee Evans, Sandra Harvey, and Michelle Westwood
· Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre – Matt Smith
· Bruce County Public Library – Michaela Posthumus
· Kincardine District Senior School – Watson Morris
· Vine Eye Care, Walkerton – Dr. Maureen Oyaide-Ofenor
· Bluewater District School Board – Avion Campbell
· Municipality of Kincardine – Deputy Mayor Andrea Clarke, Lorie Fioze, and Mackenzie Clarke
