The Hamilton Black History Committee is pleased to announce the "Call for Nominations for the 16^th Annual Rev. John C. Holland Awards. 

Nomination packages will be accepted no later than January 16, 2012
Please download application form or call 905-527-5651

Who was John Christie Holland? 

Reverend John Christie Holland was born in Hamilton in 1882 to parents who escaped slavery from southern United States and made their home in Hamilton. For 33 years he worked as a railway porter (one of the few jobs opened to Black men during that time).

Despite racial discrimination and bigotry, Reverend Holland worked his way up through the ranks to become head Porter and later to the position of private car attendant with the TH&B Railway.

In 1924, he became an ordained Minister and served as Pastor of Hamilton's Steward Memorial Church. The church has been designated an historic site by the Ontario government because its solid history and connection to the infamous Underground Railroad.

Reverend Holland was well loved by Hamiltonians from all walks of life and in 1953 he was honored as Citizen of the Year, the first African Canadian to be given that recognition. In 2003, he was inducted (post humously) into Hamilton's prestigious Gallery of Distinction.

The Rev. John C. Holland Awards were established in 1996 as a part of Hamilton Sesquicentennial celebrations. An initiative of the Hamilton Black History Committee, these awards serve to recognize the significant contributions of African Canadians to our entire community.

Members:

Evelyn Myrie,Chair,

Dr. Fred Ofosu

Marlene Thomas-Osbourne

Bashir Kurfundi

Michael Highgate
Roger Ferreira
Anne Miller
Marilyn Galloway

The Awards 

These awards were established to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our community, with a particular focus on the contributions of African Canadians to the social, economic, and cultural life of our entire city.

 Since its inception in 1996, these awards have received broad support from the community. Each year hundreds of Hamiltonians join with the Black History Committee to acknowledge and celebrate excellence. A decade later these awards have become one of the premier events in our community and a valued symbol of achievement.