ARTIST & ANTI HUNGER ADVOCATE ANGELA MCKENZIE MARKS 2003 AFRICAN AMERICAN/CANADIAN HERITAGE MONTH WITH HARRY JEROME AWARD NOMINATIONS

African/Canadian in New York City Sings for Someone's supper

Harry Jerome was the premier Canadian track athlete of his time, whose athletic successes were partnered with scholastic excellence and social consciousness. Despite a relatively brief life, Jerome left all Canadians a proud legacy and a blueprint for success. Born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 1940, Harry Jerome and his family eventually moved to North Vancouver in the 1950s. The Jerome family - Harry Sr., his wife Elsie and their five children, were the only Black people in their conservative neighborhood. Being somewhat shy, Harry chose to avoid the limelight even after his athletic legend began to grow. The Canadian Press often mistook his quiet demeanor for arrogance and aloofness.

Under the weight of the country's expectations and assumptions, Harry went on to set the standard as the world's fastest man, with records in the 100 meters, 100 yard dash and indoor 60 meters. He also helped to establish a world record in the 4 x 100 meter relay. Throughout his distinguished athletic career, Jerome received numerous accolades at the University of Oregon and represented Canada at two Pan American Games and twice at the Commonwealth Games. But his finest moments would come at the Olympics, where he would represent Canada on three occasions. Looking back, the Commonwealth Games were often the site of Harry's most difficult athletic setbacks, culminating in injury and disappointment almost as often as victory. Ironically, these obstacles would set the stage for his greatest athletic successes, displaying the true power of his determination and will to succeed. At the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia, Jerome suffered a career threatening injury, completely severing his left quadriceps muscle; most orthopedic surgeons said that he would never run again.

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HARRY JEROME AWARD FOR ANGELA MCKENZIE - 2

In spite of the negative reports of "quitter" emanating from the Canadian press, Harry concentrated on his return. Months of quiet determination, physiotherapy, and courage set the stage for what would later be known as "the greatest comeback." In 1964, Jerome returned to track and field's largest stage, the Tokyo Olympics. Bearing a 30-centimeter scar on his left thigh - a testament to the severity of his injury - Jerome would capture bronze in the 100 meters and narrowly missed a second medal in the 200 meters.
Proving that this success was no fluke, he would follow his Olympic showing with gold medal performances at both the Pan American and Commonwealth Games. Despite his athletic successes, Jerome was always conscious of the challenges facing African Canadians. At the University of Oregon, he coupled his athletic achievements with scholastic success, earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Science.
He also parlayed his athletic notoriety into opportunities for others, "using his fame and contacts he made in the sports world to get equipment for young athletes who could not afford them." Jerome also did extensive work in an effort to create opportunities for Blacks beyond sports. He was a vocal opponent of the misrepresentation of African Canadians in Canadian television, asking that licenses be suspended "if stations could not justify neither having Blacks as on-air personalities nor airing stories about the African Canadian community." He was equally concerned about the opportunity for economic development among African Canadians. He fought to remove wage discrimination barriers against Blacks, and strove to improve the mainstream's perception of the African Canadian community - in one instance, he wrote to the major department stores and questioned the lack of Black models in their catalogues and as clerks in their stores. Despite his stature in the greater community, Jerome never forgot about his own upbringing or his role in bringing about change. After his retirement from active competition in 1968, Jerome went on to work with the Federal Ministry of Sport. Using his considerable talents, he designed a series of cartoon manuals for coaching instructions and game rules for children, and created the Premier Sports Program for use in schools in British Columbia. Jerome also revolutionized track and field with the introduction of weight training for sprinters. He was named British Columbia's Athlete of the Century, and, in 1971, received the Order of Canada as a testament to his achievements. In 1982, Harry Jerome died suddenly at the age of 42.
Despite his untimely passing, he left a considerable legacy that is a source of pride for all Canadians. In 1988, a huge statue was erected in his honor along the sea wall of Vancouver's Stanley Park, and both the University of Oregon and province of British Columbia bear recreational facilities in his name. In 1978, Canadas Black Business and Professionals Association (BBPA) established the Harry Jerome Awards and the Harry Jerome Scholarship Fund to recognize African Canadians who are aspiring for greatness in their lifetimes.
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Harry Jerome Award for Angela McKenzie - 3

One such aspirant is Angela McKenzie. A talented singer and grass roots advocate, McKenzie experienced hunger and poverty when she moved to New York City from Toronto, Canada a few years ago. Instead of viewing her hardships as wholly adverse, she was inspired to blend her musical ability and experience as a UN consultant, to establish anti-hunger advocacy non-profit, The AMcK Initiative, Inc. The organization raises awareness of Americas growing hunger crisis through the performing arts. Throughout 2002 a number of concerts/food drives were staged and the first event of 2003 is set for May 10, to benefit The Food Bank For New York City. Sponsors include; arts publication The Village Voice, Charles de Montebello Sound Studios, office supply giant W.B. Mason, Street News, a publication distributed by the citys homeless and a special contribution by Molson Canada. More information about The AMcK Initiative events will be available online at www.theamckinitiative.org.

Last February, McKenzie was elected UN-sung Hero by The WB11/WPIX-TV for her music and philanthropy, and now in 2003, she is nominated for the Harry Jerome Award in both the Arts and Community Service categories. According to McKenzie, Most folks who are nominated for awards say it doesnt matter if they win or lose, its just great to be nominated!" She adds, Well, I hope to win because, not only will my mother and hometown friends be proud of me, it would be a great opportunity for my colleagues and me to talk more about our anti-hunger mission."

McKenzies organization is a member of Hunger Free America (HFA) - a national coalition of hunger alleviation advocates and a project of Hollywoods Entertainment Industry Foundation. Co-founded by acclaimed actors Jeff Bridges and Bo Derek, HFAs ultimate goal is to eliminate hunger in the United States - especially childhood hunger. AMcK is also a member of The Center on Hunger and Poverty, which is housed at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts.

In Canada, the Harry Jerome Award is held in equal regard to Americas NAACP Award. Previous awardees include athlete Ben Johnson and Jazz musician Oscar Peterson. The 2003 Awards will take place on April 26 at the Metro Toronto Convention Center and is co-sponsored by the Black Business and Professionals Association and Via Rail Canada. Perhaps McKenzie will join the winners circle on this day.

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