Aimed at identifying role models especially for youth, The Planet Africa Awards recognize individual and organizational performance at the national and international levels. The mission of the awards program is to identify and recognize deserving individuals, organizations, businesses and agencies that make a profound difference in society and the lives of people of African heritage.

Tré Armstrong & Farley Flex

While the Planet Africa Awards Show celebrates the accomplishments of the recipients, it also gives back to the community. Last year, Charitable Donations were made to Camp Jumoke a non profit camp for children with sickle cell anemia. This year, the focus was on the victims of Haiti who were devastated by an earthquake.

The event was hosted by Tré Armstrong, judge of So You Think You Can Dance Canada and Farley Flex, former Canadian Idol judge.
This year’s awards show recognized sixteen recipients within various categories, along with six individuals in the Harmony Awards category. These special Harmony Awards honour individuals who have been involved with pioneering the benefits of diversity.

Jasmyn Fyffe

The event also featured world class entertainment with performances by Juno Award Winner, Divine Brown; Grammy Award Winner, Mark S. Doss; Legendary South African Superstar, Yvonne Chaka Chaka; Acclaimed Canadian Dancer, Jasmyn Fyffe; and Musicians Extraordinaire, Beyond Sound, and master drummer from Guinea M’Bemba Banagoura.

HM & Donisha Prendergast

In light of the United Nations declaration of 2011 as the international year for people of African decent, the event played special tribute to champions of this heritage which include Bob Marley, whose daughter and granddaughter (filmmaker, Donisha Prendergast) will attend to participate. Other notable attendees included Her Worship, Mayor Hazel McCallion; The Nigerian and Kenyan High Commissioners, amongst others.

The event was held at the elegant Roy Thompson Hall. The evening was filled with great energy and inspirational moments. As Tré Armstrong put it, “this event is a great initiative…it gets all of us involved… it’s time to get the community talking.”