TORONTO - For the first time, the Service’s Black and French Community Consultative Committees combined to organize this year’s Black History Month event showcasing young people at their best.

Aspiring law enforcement officer Brian Daley was the Master of Ceremonies, 16-year-old high-school student Redjina Jean-Paul delivered the keynote address in French and English and youth gang prevention/intervention worker Wendell Adjetey was the recipient of the Keith Forde Youth of Excellence Service Award.

Launched last year to honour the legacy of the Service’s first black deputy chief, the award is bestowed on a young person, who best exemplifies leadership, community involvement and the best and brightest that society has to offer.

“It’s quite special and an honour to receive this award bearing the name of Keith Forde, who is a trailblazer in our community and someone who has a keen interest in youth,” said Adjetey, who works in a federally funded youth program in the Jane-Finch area.

Jean-Paul, a Grade 11 student who moved to Toronto 11 years ago from Montreal, said she was nervous when she was approached to deliver the keynote speech.

“After overcoming that initial fear, I looked at the opportunity as a great way to showcase teenagers and the good things they are doing in the community,” said the aspiring diplomat.

“I am so glad I accepted the chance to do this.”

The Lycee Francais de Toronto student encouraged adults to reach out to youths whenever they can and provide them with a helping hand at the Jan. 26 kickoff to Black History Month.

“We are put aside because of our lack of experience and we become uninterested because we are not taken seriously,” said Jean-Paul.

“We are filled with ideas, energy, determination and potential, but do not know sometimes how to make that count because we are constantly being reminded that being younger means you bring less to the table. We are frustrated and somehow must find a way to become adults when we can barely find ourselves as teenagers.

“…If you as adults can help a young person become more creative and educated, do it. A smile or a nudge in the right direction is enough to make a difference. We have dreams and with your help, we can achieve them.”

The theme of this year’s celebration was “Valuing Our Youth: Securing Our Future.”

Chief Bill Blair expressed his satisfaction in being in the presence of energetic young people who sang, danced and provided inspiring messages.

“Our young people are our most important and greatest hope for the future,” he said.

“We have a responsibility to inspire and support them in our community so they can be successful citizens. Our responsibility is to make sure their future is assured.”

Retired Sgt. Terry James came up with the idea of hosting an annual Black History Month celebration at police headquarters in 1984. The longest-serving black female officer joined the Service 20 years after Jamaican-born Larry McLarty broke the colour barrier, becoming the Service’s first black cop in 1960.

“It took courage and it took absolute commitment to making a difference for Larry and some of the early pioneers to join the Service which was not a terribly friendly organization when they first came in,” Blair said. “They have transformed our Service.”

Blair also paid tribute to Forde and Peter Sloly, the Deputy Chief in charge of Divisional Policing Command, Supt. Dave McLeod and S/Insp. Tony Riviere who are the 31 and 33 Division unit commanders, S/Insp. Mark Saunders – the first black officer to head the Homicide squad, Insp. Reuben Stroble, who is the Legal Services unit commander, and Sonia Thomas, who last year made history by becoming the Service’s first black woman to reach the rank of Inspector.

“They are in those positions not only as proud members of the black community, but also as outstanding police leaders,” Blair said. “We have great leaders who are changing our organization in so many positive ways.”

The Service’s board Chair Alok Mukherjee said Black History Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the invaluable contributions made by the black community to the city, Canada and the Toronto Police Service.

“We are here as well to look to the future,” he said. “Our board shares the belief that it’s critical that we invest in our youth, that we work with them to develop future community leaders and that we do all we can to ensure there is a future for them.”

Students from the Saint Jean de Lalande Elementary School Choir sang the national anthem, as well as two other songs, at the event that was attended by community leaders and diplomats.

Content in partnership with Toronto Police Services.