This month, we wanted to highlight a few Toronto heroes who broke down barriers to pave the way for the next generations of Black Canadians. From trailblazing doctors to history-making politicians, learn about some of the amazing Torontonians who have made their mark in their industries and beyond.
A) Annamie Paul
Annamie Paul started her involvement with politics early, working as a page in the Ontario Legislature at age 12. She is a Canadian activist, lawyer and former politician who was the first Black Canadian to be elected leader of a federal party in Canada, in October 2020.
B) William Peyton Hubbard
Born in Toronto in 1842, William Peyton Hubbard was a Toronto alderman from 1894 to 1914. A popular and influential politician, nicknamed Cicero for his oratory, Hubbard was one of the first politicians of African descent elected to office in Canada.
C) Portia White
Born in Nova Scotia in 1911, Portia White began singing in the church choir under her mother’s direction at age six. She would go on to become the first Black Canadian concert singer to achieve international fame and was considered one of the best classical singers of the 20th century.
D) Anderson Ruffin Abbott
Born in Toronto in 1837, Anderson Ruffin Abbott became the first Canadian-born person of colour to graduate from medical school, and heeventually became the first Canadian-born Black doctor in Canada. He studied at the Toronto School of Medicine, which later became affiliated with the University of Toronto.
E) Addie Aylestock
Born in Ontario in 1909, Rev. Addie Aylestock was the first Black woman to be ordained in Canada. As a minister of the British Methodist Episcopal Church in Toronto, Aylestock helped organize congregations in several communities in Ontario, as well as in Quebec and Nova Scotia.
F) Robert Sutherland
Born in Jamaica, Robert Sutherland came to Canada to study at Queen’s University. Graduating with honours in 1852, he was the first university student and graduate of colour in Canada. He went on to become the country’s first Black lawyer when he was called to the bar in 1855.