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Beverly Mascoll and Mascoll Beauty Supply Ltd. Beverly founded “one of Canada’s largest businesses for haircare and beauty products for women.” Mascoll faced challenges getting business loans but eventually made her business run by first selling products from her car in 1970. The business grew to become a multi-million dollar company with 350 hairdressers and retailers across Canada. Her business also provided a welcoming space for newcomers and community support. Mascoll’s Beauty Supply raised funds for victims of Hurricane Gilbert (1988) and ran the Canadian Sickle Cell Society. The Beverly Mascoll Community Foundation to support youth, women and minorities was established in 1996.

Zanana Akande was the First Black Woman Legislator and soon after became the First Black Woman Cabinet Minister as Minister of Community and Social Services. She was an MPP of the New Democratic Party representing the St. Andrew-St. Patrick riding in the 1990s in the Bob Rae government. After leaving politics, she was the President of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations, the Canadian Alliance of Black Educators and the Toronto Child Abuse centre. She has received multiple awards for her service and work in community, including the Key to the City of Toronto.

Harry Gairey Sr. was a Pullman, Sleeping Car Porter and a Civil Rights activist. When he was a kid, he was refused admission to skate on a skating rink. Now, there is a skating rink named after him beside Alexandra Park (Bathurst and Dundas Streets).

Hamelin Grange was formerly an award-winning reporter for Global TV and CBC TV, and a reporter for the Toronto Star. Currently he is the President and Co-Founder of DiversiPro Inc. a diversity training coaching and consulting company.

Austin Clarke was an award-winning short-story writer, novelist and journalist, 1970s-2000s. His most famous work was The Polished Hoe, which won the Giller Prize (2002).

Molly Johnston is an award-winning jazz singer. She is also a singer-songwriter, artist and philanthropist. Molly won a Juno Award(2009) for Best Vocal Jazz Album. She has performed in Canada, the USA and France with notable musicians. In 1992, she founded The Kumbaya Foundation and Festival to raise money and awareness for people living with HIV/AIDS. She was made an Officer of the Order of Canada (2008). Finally in 2016, she launched the Kensington Market Jazz Festival.