The first weeks of February, the 9th Annual RBC Black Diamond Ball hosted a series of events which highlighted, catered to and supported the Canadian Black community. These events generate revenue and showcase the exceptional contributions of Black-owned and operated Canadian businesses. This year’s pre-gala events, Before the Ball at The Well, featured an exhilarating singing competition and music workshop, a mental health and entrepreneurial session, and The Housing Market and the Future of Black Wealth: Legacy and Transfer seminar. Shawn Cuffie, Operations Director for ArtXperiential Projects, producers of the Black Diamond Ball highlights, “RBC continues the tradition of holding workshops and featuring Black businesses through our RBC Black Business Marketplace which will be set up in The Well during all Before The Ball events”. Masterclasses were held in the RBC’s newest branch, The Well on Front Street. 

The Vocalist competition is a new feature of this year’s pre-event festivities. Competitors performed renditions of classics for judges: Tia Gordon, artist manager; Randy Chung, CBC producer; Michelle Allman-Esdaille, founder of The Hook & Company; and dance music icon, Simone Denny. Toronto-born choreographer and TV personality, Hollywood Jade brought humour and style to this affair. Hollywood Jade is a notable figure on RuPaul’s Drag Race Canada. The winner of The Vocalist took home a cash prize of $4000 and performed live at the Black Diamond Ball.

Before the Ball at The Well offers Torontonians an opportunity to familiarize themselves with Black-owned small businesses, showcase Black arts and increase the visibility of BIPOC and 2SLGBTQI+ communities. RBC aims to support business owners, post-pandemic, while offering emerging artists an avenue to break through barriers in their sectors.

The Black Diamond Ball has become a signature gala in Toronto for its acknowledgement of the contributions of Black community members, initiatives and Black talent. Guests in attendance at this year’s event include journalist and television host, Tracy Moore. Moore always makes an impression with her vivacious personality and eye-catching ensembles. Hollywood Jade turned heads in his conspicuously well-tailored, double-breasted iridescent suit. Political powerhouse, Mitzie Hunter, was elegant in lace and pearls and DJ Donovan kept everyone moving throughout the night. “At RBC, we believe we’re only as strong as the communities around us. Our partnership is about a shared commitment and vision to support and highlight Black businesses, creative arts and mental health – to make a real impact in the community,” says Tyson Jones, Regional Vice-President, of Commercial Financial Services at RBC.

The Black Diamond Ball is produced by not-for-profit organization, ArtXperiential Projects; ArtXperiential Projects was founded in 2015 to recognize the contributions of Black culture, showcase artists, and support Black youth and Black-owned businesses across Canada. The RBC Black Diamond Ball celebrates the contributions of the Black community with a gala at the end of Black History Month annually; together the community and its supporters honour youth and community members alike with awards, by showcasing businesses in the marketplace and fostering an environment for emerging artists and professionals to engage with a large scale audience. The Black Diamond Ball is televised to an audience of more than 75,000 people.

RBC works continuously to develop and curate initiatives which explore and celebrate the vibrancy of cultural diversity within Toronto. These initiatives foster diversity, inclusion and equity year-round encouraging a sense of belonging within Toronto-based communities. All photos for this event were courtesy of Pierro Mathiabo (@pierromathiabophotography).

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Describe your charity/non-profit in a few sentences.

Pink Triangle Press has been at the forefront of the LGBTQ2+ rights movement for nearly five decades, primarily through our journalism activities, beginning with our seminal publication, The Body Politic which began in 1971. The Body Politic was included in Masthead Magazine’s list of 25 most important Canadian publications and Toronto Life’s list of top-ten moments in LGBT History. The Body Politic was superseded by our Xtra chain of community newspapers in Toronto, Vancouver and Ottawa and now lives on in our website.

What problem does it aim to solve?

LGBTAQ2+ rights and equality

When did you start it?

Pink Triangle Press was founded in 1971 as a volunteer collective and remains a not-for-profit governed organization.

What was the situation like when you started?

The LGBTQ2+ community faced rampant societal discrimination and even police brutality.

How has it changed since?

In Canada, much progress with Charter recognition human rights legislation, etc, but there is still much to do, particularly in supporting LGBTQ2+ youth and other marginalized communities, and of course, in the rest of the world there still exists extreme repression and brutality and even regression in “advanced” societies, e.g. Poland, Russia, etc.

What more needs to be done?

First world citizens need to elect fair and just governments and keep pressure on them to advance global human rights.

How can our readers help?

Support LGBTQ2+ organizations that fight for social justice in any way they can – financially, politically, through social media, etc.

Where can we follow you?

Our community chain of magazines can be found at xtramagazine.com

PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?

Rainbow Railroad 

The post Charitable Choices: Promoting LGBTQ2+ Rights with Pink Triangle Press appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Over 500 artists submitted work this year to try for the final 15 and accompanying prize money which totals $85,000. The 1st place winner will receive $25,000, two runners-up will get $15,000 each and the 12 finalists that remain will each go home with $2,500. The winners will be announced in Toronto on September 20th, 2016 at the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery next to Harbourfront Centre.

Here are the Toronto artists that are in the final 15 of the RBC Canadian Painting Competition.

Learn more about the competition from their website.

Wallis Cheung

Alex Fischer

Stephanie Hier

Hanna Hur

Keita Morimoto

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