Montreal, March 14, 2024 – Fondation Dynastie has announced the recipients of the Tribute Awards at Gala Dynastie’s 8th edition. These prizes aim to recognize and celebrate the contributions and exceptional achievements of personalities from Black communities who have had a significant impact on the local, national, or international level in their field of activity. Five exceptional personalities will be honoured as part of Gala Dynastie, which will be presented in two parts: the Soirée Médias on Sunday, April 21, at the Cinquième Salle; and the Soirée Culture on Saturday, April 27, at Théâtre Maisonneuve.
GRAND PRIX DYNASTIE (DOUDOU-BOICEL AWARD)
Recipient: Dr. Oliver Jones
Presented by TD
This award highlights the commitment, impact, and exceptional contributions of a media personality or artist from the Black community to the growth and promotion of culture.
This year, the foundation is pleased to present this prize to Dr. Oliver Jones. A true international jazz legend, he is one of Canada's most respected musicians and one of its most eminent cultural ambassadors. Born in Montreal’s Little Burgundy neighbourhood, in his youth he studied piano with Daisy Peterson Sweeney, the sister of friend and contemporary Oscar Peterson.
During his prolific 77-year career, Dr. Jones performed on every continent and shared the stage with the biggest names in jazz. He has received a variety of awards and distinctions: membership in the Order of Canada and Ordre national du Québec, several Félix and Juno awards, the Martin Luther King Jr. Award for his contributions to the Black community in Canada and Montreal, the Oscar-Peterson Award from the Montreal International Jazz Festival, several honorary doctorates, as well as a Governor General's Performing Arts Award. In 2023, he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Dr. Jones has inspired generations of jazz performers and been instrumental in paving the way for Canada's Black musical community.
PRIX ICÔNE DYNASTIE
Recipient: Corneille
Presented by SODEC
The Prix Icône Dynastie honours a personality who has distinguished themself through their daring, passion, and original high-profile work. A leading figure of their generation, they are an inspiring role model who elicits the admiration of their peers and the general public.
A singer with a soulful voice, Corneille has so completely won over audiences thanks to the catchy melodies of his songs, which attest to his roots, hopes, and dreams. Another poignant part of his journey is his story of resilience as a survivor of the Rwandan genocide. His first album, Parce qu’on été de loin, was a resounding success that sold more than 150,000 copies in Quebec and 900,000 in France. In 2004, he won three Félix awards at the ADISQ Gala, including for Quebec artist with the biggest impact outside of the province and for male performer of the year. That same year, he was a finalist in the category for best album by a newcomer at the Victoires de la Musique awards. All of these awards served to solidify his star status and propelled his career onto the international stage. In 2022, he released his ninth album, Encre Rose, which pays homage to the sounds of R&B and soul that shaped his childhood.
Finally, as an entrepreneur, in 2023 he co-founded Maison Kanda, which specializes in the development of soul and R&B artists. Thanks to his influence and involvement on the ADVANCE Québec committee, he succeeded in adding a new Francophone R&B/Soul/ Gospel category to the Premier Gala de l’ADISQ, a first for the province!
PRIX HÉRITAGE DYNASTIE
Honouree: Michael Benjamin (Mikaben)
Presented by Héma-Québec
This posthumous award aims to honour the memory of a personality whose brilliant career in the field of arts and culture has left an indelible mark on those industries, both locally and internationally.
Born in Port-au-Prince in 1981 as the son of famous singer Lionel Benjamin, Michael Benjamin, also known as Mikaben, was at the height of his career before his tragic death due to sudden illness in the middle of a concert on the stage of Accor Arena in Paris on October 15, 2022. He was a singer, songwriter, and producer and one of the rare artists of his generation to excel in a variety of musical genres. Whether it was Haitian Kompa, West Indian zouk, dancehall, Jamaican reggae, or R&B / hip-hop, his talent was undeniable. Benjamin was also an influential figure in the Haitian music scene of the last 20 years, with a career that spanned both solo projects and collaborations with various major music groups. He was an internationally renowned artist who toured several times in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, and the French overseas islands. Widely considered one of Haitian music’s greatest ambassadors, he has left behind a rich artistic legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
Mikaben also had a successful career in Quebec, especially with his first album, Mika, which was released in Montreal in 2004. During the Soirée Culture, Mikaben’s memory will be commemorated through a performance dedicated to his career by Marco Volcy.
GRAND PRIX DYNASTIE
Recipient: The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean
Presented by TD
This award honours the entire career and work of a personality from the Black community who has utterly distinguished themself in the media industry. That individual’s leadership and remarkable commitment have significantly contributed to the influence of their industry and community.
A visionary woman of action, The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean has had a brilliant career as a journalist, presenter, and anchor at public broadcaster Radio-Canada, which has led her to the highest levels of international diplomacy. From 2005 to 2010, she served as the first Black female Governor General of Canada, and she again broke the glass ceiling by becoming Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie from 2014 to 2019—as both the first Black and Canadian woman appointed to the position. Mrs. Jean knows how to persuade, mobilize, educate, and bring others together, and eloquently speak on major issues and the state of the world.
Driven by universal values, including the principles and rules of democracy and justice, she created the Michaëlle Jean Foundation. The organization's mission is to use art and culture to support citizen-led initiatives to benefit some of Canada’s most vulnerable—but also most enthusiastic and creative—young people.
PRIX IMPACT DYNASTIE
Recipient: Mtre Tamara Thermitus Ad.E
Presented by Natyf TV
This award recognizes an organization, or one or more individuals, whose initiatives or actions have had a considerable impact on the community while also contributing to the vitality of the Quebec cultural or media scenes.
For Mtre Tamara Thermitus Ad.E, equity, diversity, and inclusion go hand in hand with social justice. A distinguished lawyer with a master's degree in law from McGill University, Mtre Tamara Thermitus Ad.E uses her pen to raise public awareness about issues related to systemic racism, intersectionality, Indigenous reconciliation, and violence against women. Her mission is to amplify the voices of excluded, marginalized people.
She is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2012), and has received many other awards, including an Award of Merit from the Barreau du Québec (2011)—making her the first Black lawyer to earn that distinction. Mtre Thermitus Ad.E also received a leadership award for employment equity and diversity, from the Ministry of Justice (2010 and 2016), just to name a few.
“Through all these distinctions, we would like to highlight not only their entire careers and work, but also their important contributions and commitment to greater representation for Black people in media, culture, and the arts in Quebec,” noted Carla Beauvais, Co-founder and Executive Director of Fondation Dynastie.
Fondation Dynastie would like to thank its wonderful partners:
TD Bank Group, SODEC, Natyf TV, Bell, CN, Ubisoft, Groupe 3737, the City of Montreal, Canadian Heritage, the Canada Media Fund, the Conseil des arts de Montréal, Expert’ease, Léonard Médias, Place des Arts (host of Semaine Dynastie), Musicaction, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, the Round Table on Black History Month, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Distillerie Rosemont, L’Oréal, and Groupe NDM.
ABOUT FONDATION DYNASTIE
Fondation Dynastie works for more equitable, meaningful representation of Black communities in the arts, culture, and media. Through various cultural-mediation initiatives, the organization seeks to break down barriers and create opportunities that promote visibility and recognition of talent from these communities and reduce representation-related inequalities for Black communities in the cultural and media sectors. The foundation also supports the development and professionalization of up-and-coming talent. fondationdynastie.com
ABOUT GALA DYNASTIE
Gala Dynastie highlights and celebrates the exceptional achievements of personalities from Quebec’s Black communities who have distinguished themselves in media, the arts, and culture. Presented in two parts, the Soirée Médias and Soirée Culture, this event honours the wealth and diversity of Black talents that transcend borders, while highlighting their important contribution to the cultural, artistic, and media industries. galadynastie.com
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Source:
Fondation Dynastie
Bellande Montour
Head of Communications & Marketing
commdirection@fondationdynastie.com
Media relations – Gala Dynastie:
Felipe del Pozo
C: 514 616-4713
B: 514 357-6352
felipe@felipeRP.com
