The University of The West Indies Toronto Benefit Awards Announces 2022 Honourees

One Caribbean…Global Impact is the theme of The UWI’s largest fundraiser in Canada

May 10, 2022 (Toronto, ON) – A NASA aerospace engineer, a Canadian Olympian, a world renowned fashion photographer and one of Canada’s most powerful women are among this year’s honourees at the 13th Annual University of the West Indies Toronto Benefit Awards on Saturday June 25th, 2022 at the Ritz-Carlton, 181 Wellington Street, West in Toronto, Red Carpet at 5:30pm, Awards at 7:00pm.

The night of celebration highlights inspiring individuals and organizations that represent the Caribbean with excellence on the global stage and aligns with this year’s theme of One Caribbean…Global Impact.

This is the University’s largest fundraising event in Canada and helps provide scholarships to empower students with education that shapes future generations of the island nations.  Over the past 12 years, 650 scholarships have been granted and almost $3M CDN has been raised.

The 2022 Honourees are: 

• Chancellor Janice Fukakusa, OC – Business leader and philanthropist, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)

• Mr. Andre De Grasse – Six time Olympic medallist and 200M Olympic Champion

• Mr. Basil Watson, CD – World Renowned Sculptor

• Mr. Walter Chin – World Renowned Fashion and Celebrity Photographer

• Dr. Shakuntala Haraksingh-Thilsted – Global Lead for Nutrition and Public Health at WorldFish, 2021 World Food Prize

• Dr. Camille Wardrop-Alleyne – Aerospace Engineer and Space Scientist

• Pan American Health Organization – Specialized International Health Agency

“With this year’s selection of honourees, we are showcasing not only the influence and impact of the Caribbean on the world, but also that the island nations have ancestral connections to places such as Africa, South Asia and Asia,” explains Dr. Donette Chin-Loy Chang, UWI Toronto Benefit Awards Co-Patron.

Caribbean countries live in a constant state of vulnerability affected by climate change, health crises and other economic, environmental and social issues. “The University is to be credited for its continued focus on providing first class education,” said Elizabeth Buchanan-Hind, Executive Director of University’s Institutional Advancement Division.  “Given the enormous challenges encountered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the welfare of students remains the primary concern of the Institution.”

The Patrons of the UWI Toronto Benefit Awards are Dr. Donette Chin-Loy Chang,  Mr. Andrew Chang, Ms. Brigette Chang and Dr. Wesley J. Hall.

The event is once again proudly supported by lead sponsor, Scotiabank, for the 13th consecutive year.