By TOM GODFREY, Toronto Sun
Famous Canadians like jazz pianist Oscar Peterson and baseball Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins may soon have their stories carved in stone if a Black History Walk of Fame gets rolled out in Toronto.
Catholic School Board Trustee Rob Davis is pushing for a granite walkway, similar to the walks of fame in Hollywood and Toronto, to be located in the “Little Jamaica” area on Eglinton Ave. W., near Oakwood Ave.
He said each stone will be inscripted with the name of a person being honoured and why they were chosen by members of the black community.
“We are recognizing the contribution to Canada made by members of the black community,” Davis said. “We hope this will instill pride in young people.”
Davis, who is running against Councillor Howard Moscoe for Ward 15 in October’s municipal election, is hoping the walkway will one day become a tourist attraction. He said each person honoured on the walkway will be the subject of a video presentation accessible on the Internet and viewed on a cell phone.
“People will be able to use their web browser and see a video on-line,” Davis said. “Its like taking a tour.”
He said an advisory committee has been created with local residents and businesses to look at ways to proceed and select prominent people.
“The committee will decide who we will honour,” Davis said. “We are honouring people who have made a worthwhile contribution to Canada.”
Rosemary Sadlier, of the Ontario Black History Society, said she welcomes the plan to raise the profile of black heroes.
“Anything that helps raise the awareness of Canadians of black origin is really critical,” Sadlier said on Monday. “The plan is limited in scope but has lots of merit.”
Nick Alampi, chair of the York Eglinton Business Improvement Association, said he’d like to learn more about the proposal and how it can be implemented.
“Creating a gateway for tourists is great but at the end of the day there is the maintainence care,” Alampi said.
The association includes businesses along Eglinton Ave. W., near Oakwood. Organizers hope to raise funds from the private and business sector to pay for the project.
Source: http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/04/26/13728176.html
