"LET'S GET TOGETHER AND FEEL ALRIGHT"

.

Bass Player for Barrett Brackin and the Band who performed at the event

 Today is Bob Marley Day in both Kingston, Jamaica and Toronto Canada. (The rest of the world is jealous)

(article for Diversity Business Network website)

Rowan Barrett - Basketball Canada

 It was one  One Love in the Toronto City Council chambers this morning as the councillor Michael Thompson proclaimed February 6^th, Bob Marley Day in Toronto. There was  live music and dub poetry in City Hall following the proclamation and the Bob Marley Committee made 8 Bob Marley humanitarian award presentations to eight well-known Torontonians

“This marks the 22nd year that the  City of Toronto has official declared Bob Marley Day (which began with former Mayor Art Eggleton),” said Courtney Betty, Chairperson of the Bob Marley Day Committee. “  Bob Marley said One Love.  So, each year we take time to honour the best of the best, people - acting in the diversity spirit of Bob Marley’s One Love,- who have worked hard to make our City a better place for all.  As the diverse population continues its tremendous growth, it becomes even more critical that the doors of opportunities are open to all. "

The Bob Marley Award Ceremony was held in Committee Room 1 at City Hall (100 Queen Street).  Councillor Michael Thompson was joined by fellow councillors and many Caribbean nation trade commissioners to help the Bob Marley committee hand out the awards. 

The Class of 2013 (minus Drake)

Scheduled to receive the Bob Marley Award this year were:

Ben Hum - President and Co-founder of the NAAAP Toronto ((North American Association of Asian Professionals); Director of Business Development, Investwise Team, Dundee Wealth

Manuel Rodriguez - CEO and Founder of Unikron (leading video production company)

Marlon Reid - Vice President of Treasury Credit, Investment Banking, TD Securities

Pamela Appelt - Retired Judge of Court of Canadian Citizenship

Pradeep Sood- CEO of Starling Corporation; Founder of XactScribe  (Canadian based provider of Medical, Legal and Business transcription services)

Rowan Barrett - Executive Vice President of Senior Men’s Team at Basketball Canada

Scott Crowley - Regional Managing Partner of Advisory Services at MNP, LLP

Aubrey Drake Graham - Recording Artist, Universal Motown; Founder of OVO Records

Ben Hum receives his Marley Award

The singer Drake was not at the award ceremony.  Councillor Thompson accepted the award on his behalf. During and after the ceremony Barrett Brackin and the Band performed a selection of Bob Marley hits. Spoken word poetry will be performed by Al St. Louis.

Bob Marley is a global icon, a musical prophet, whose words and vision forever changed the world. His image and music evoke a rich legacy and emotional connection that transcends generation, ethnicity, gender, and geography. In today's high paced, tech-driven world, Bob Marley's message of unity, freedom, peace, empowerment and love have never been more relevant.