Roll out the Black carpet and put your melanated hands together!
The highly anticipated second annual Legacy Awards came and went, but not without giving some of Canada’s top players in the music, entertainment and sports industry their well deserved flowers.
Canada’s one and only award show honouring Black voices took place on Sunday evening at History and was live streamed on CBC and CBC Gem.
The second edition of The Black Academy’s award show featured performances, award presentations and tributes dedicated to both established and emerging Black Canadians talent.
The 90-minute special was hosted by award-winning TV host and singer Keshia Chanté.
The Black Academy is also co-founded by Scarborough, Ontario natives Shamier Anderson and Stephan James.
“Legacy means generation, beauty, strength, inspiration, paving the way and flowers. It’s a combination of so many things,” Anderson told Now Toronto on Sunday.
“It’s called the legacy awards because it’s for us, by us,” he continued.
A highlight of the night was when Jully Black received the 2023 Icon Award for her outstanding career and lasting popularity, as well as for her allyship outside of just the Black community.
READ MORE: ‘I didn’t change the anthem, I spoke the truth,’ Jully Black on her viral rendition of ‘O Canada’
“We have come a long way and there’s more than enough Black excellence to celebrate,” Black shared.
Some other awards that were handed out last night include the 2023 Emerging Artist Award Recipient to Lu Kala and the Athlete Award to professional basketball player Kia Nurse.
If you missed the award show, you can watch it live here.
