Michael Williams is a Canadian television personality who may be best known for his work as a VJ at MuchMusic from 1984 to 1993.

Williams was part of MuchMusic's core opening team of VJ's alongside J. D. Roberts, Erica Ehm, Christopher Ward, and Denise Donlon. At MuchMusic, Williams hosted various shows including Soul in the City, RapCity, Electric Circus, Pepsi Power Hour and The NewMusic.

He was a radio personality in Hamilton, Ontario and Montreal's CHOM-FM and CKGM-AM, and in Toronto at CHUM-FM. Williams also owns Black Rose Recording Studios in Toronto, and since January 2003, he has been teaching.

He’s an occasional fill-in host on Newstalk 1010 in Toronto, Williams is a regular on-air contributor to CTV News's entertainment He’s also a musician and a chef and is currently working on his autobiography.

Jully Black is a true Canadian Icon. Named as one of ‘The 25 Greatest Canadian Singers Ever’, (CBC Music) she has been dubbed ‘Canada’s Queen of R&B Soul’ by fans and industry leaders alike. As a platinum selling recording artist, her music career has yielded multiple singles reaching the Top 10 pop, R&B and dance music charts. She has taken home Juno and Gemini Awards, earned innumerable industry accolades, was hand selected to sing for the Queen of England and inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2021.

With her powerhouse vocals, hilarious personality and love of people, Jully Black truly is everyone, and unlike anyone.

Widely considered one of Toronto’s Hip Hop legends, Solitair’s many contributions have made an indelible impact on the Canadian urban music landscape, and the music industry as a whole.

Throughout his more than 20 year career, Solitair has amassed an impressive legacy showing his strengths as an introspective and fearless mc with thought provoking rhymes and uplifting messages, as well as a talented producer and engineer with a keen ear for crafting musical masterpieces.

Rudy Blair has been part of the entertainment industry in the capacity of Radio/Television, Emcee, Host and Speaker for almost 30 years. Twenty three of those years were with 680News as the Music & Entertainment Reporter. During that time he interviewed some of the biggest artists in music including Beyonce, Jay Z, Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, Lorde, Gordon Lightfoot, Tony Bennett and Tim McGraw and covered major events such as The Grammy Awards, The Juno Awards, the Much Music Video Awards, The Canadian Screen Awards and Canada's Walk Of Fame.

Rudy has been honoured with 16 Radio-Television News Directors Association National and Regional Awards, The Harry Jerome Award and has been inducted into the Humber College Radio Broadcasting Hall Of Fame, The Vaughan Road Academy Hall of Fame and received an Honorary Degree from Humber College.

Dr. Karen Cyrus has a PhD in music (ethnomusicology) from York University, a Master of Arts in music, and a Master of Arts in applied linguistics. She also holds an LRSM (Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music) in teaching piano and completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of the West Indies, a Postgraduate Dip. Ed. in Music (Honors) at MICO Teachers College, and an Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) certification for music (vocal-intermediate) and the junior division.

Dr. Cyrus' intellectual prowess is further demonstrated by her role as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). Here, she spearheaded a groundbreaking project titled "Mapping Ontario's Black Archive." Her work involved developing a comprehensive database with over 5000 entries from Ontario's institutional and community archives, effectively mapping the presence of persons of African descent in Ontario from the 1700s to 1975. This significant contribution to her field is truly inspiring.

MEDIA PERSONALITY/VJ/PRODUCER (MUCH MUSIC)

Awarded the Toronto Bob Marley Award, Master T is a TV and Radio personality, producer, and music promoter who worked for iconic MuchMusic as a cameraman and then VJ. When he left MuchMusic, his on-air farewell party featured an inclusive live performance by Lauren Hill. Master T was the primary promoter of the Much Dance Mix compilation series and received a diamond plaque for over 1 million in sales. He produces and promotes his Master T Series of hip-hop and Reggae Compilation. He’s also hosted the syndicated radio program “Wall Of Sound,” produced by Z103.5. He’s been hosting the online interview and performance series RX Music Live, featuring guests like Wyclef Jean, Kardinal Offishall, Vance Joy, and more.

Born in Toronto, Joel JJ Joseph has been around music from an early age, playing drums, sax and piano. Receiving a scholarship and Graduating the prestigious humber college music program , JJ has gone on to work with legendary artists including Nelly Furtado, Serena Ryder, Snow, Kaos, Saukrates, Kardinal Offiishal, Deborah Cox, the Weekend and most recently universal recording artist Ryland James. Through live performance and remixes JJ has been instrumental in tens millions of global album sales, and industry awards. His latest releases, “LOFI VYBZ” and “ALL NIGHT” are being licensed and steadily gaining streams. JJ has also produced tracks for Sean Jones, John Orpheus and Divine Brown.

is a Toronto-based DJ, broadcaster, music promoter, producer, educator, and performer best known for his role in popularizing both hip hop music and later dancehall and reggae music in Canada. He helped promote and develop early Canadian hip hop acts such as Maestro Fresh Wes, Michie Mee, Rumble & Strong and the Dream Warriors.

Known as the "godfather of Toronto hip hop", Nelson created Canada's first hip hop radio show, Fantastic Voyage, on CKLN-FM in 1983. The Saturday afternoon show, which ran until 1991, became popular among Toronto youth and was the first exposure many had to the genre and was one of the few broadcast outlets for hip hop in Canada during the 1980s. Nelson soon began organizing concerts, his first event being for the Kings of Rap.He went on to bring American hip hop artists to Canada for concerts and tours including, organizing in 1987, the first major rap concert in Canada when Run DMC, Public Enemy and EPMD performed at Varsity Arena.

With the revenues from the concert, Nelson built one of the first hip hop recording studios in Canada, "Apache”. The studio, shared with Beat Factory was where Dream Warriors recorded their first album, And Now the Legacy Begins, on which Nelson is credited as a producer.

For the past 25+ years, Eric Alper has been at the forefront of the Canadian entertainment industry – making the Public in Public Relations his business. His enthusiasm, encyclopedic knowledge of the past and present have made him the go-to for music in Canada. He is also host of one of the top-rated SiriusXM shows “ThatEricAlper”. With over one million followers, friends and connections across his social media platforms, it’s clear to understand why he has been named a “must follow” by Billboard, Paste and National Post among others.

He has been a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 155 JUNO Award nominated-albums (and 14 in 2023), including 43 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, and 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums, and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Eric has been named to Billboard Magazine, Paste Magazine and The National Post’s best on social media, and honoured to be on Canadian Music Week’s Advisory Board and The City of Toronto’s Music Industry Advisory Council.

Sara Geidlinger is a filmmaker, podcaster, and multimedia storyteller in Waterloo Region. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in community music at Wilfrid Laurier University, for which she has created the documentary Hip Hope Hope. She is the producer and co-host of Bonn Park Podcast, winner of the Waterloo Region Arts Award and is the recipient of the Leading Girls, Leading Women, Building Community Award 2023. Sara created a three-part series on the inaugural Grand River Black Music Festival and Conference (then known as the Mel Brown Music Festival and Symposium).

Jon Corbin is a Canadian hip-hop artist, spoken word poet, speaker, band leader, writer and DJ based in Milton, ON. Since 2001, first under the name The Runaway, Jon has blessed stages big and small with lyrical themes of faith, love, family, social justice, and personal growth.

Corbin is a veteran artist who has quietly carved a niche in Canada’s hip-hop community, collaborating with multiple Polaris Music Prize nominee Shad, Juno Award winner Caroline Brooks of The Good Lovelies, and many other revered emcees on both sides of the border.

As a speaker, Corbin speaks passionately on topics of identity, race and racism, mental health and community connections. As a musician, Jon provides a dynamic show that stays true to the basic tenets of hip-hop: peace, love, unity, and having fun!

Sandra Tyler Henein is a former Director Marketing/Promotions for the JUNO Awards, current GRBMFC Festival Manager, Black Exposed Ent. owner, and radio host/producer of Black Exposed Radio.

During her 28-year career in the music broadcast and film industry in Canada and abroad, she created some epic concerts and events; she was the first in North America to broadcast a live event from an LGBTQS2+ club in the 90s.

She’s worked on promotions, concert tours, and VIP events with and for Lenny Kravitz, The Rolling Stones, Destony’s Child, Justin Bieber, Drake, Hockey Night In Canada, Theory Of A Deadman, Entertainment Tonight Canada, Maestro Fresh Wes, Kos, Three Days Grace, Cuba Gooding Jr. Eva Mendez, comedian Russell Peters and many more.

She launched 91.5 The Beat Kitchener and created “Beat Rocks The Block,” a free outdoor concert for 40K people DTK and Hip-HopToberfest, the only racialized concert during Oktoberfest, relaunching 2025! She’s also the Lifetime Achievement Recipient KW-Oktoberfest Women Of The Year.

She’s known to emerging artists as “Music Mom” and to music pioneers as “One of the few” She’s a Mentor for NCRA/ANRAC Canadian Community/Campus Radio Ass. and SaskMusic Canada.

Cultural renaissance man who trailblazed in vast arenas, from sports to education to HIP-HOP culture, Will Strickland evolved into The Entreprenillionaire!

From his career as a Record Exec., former pro ball player, and educational disrupter, Will Strickland has worked with some of the biggest names in music…to name a few, Wu-tang Clan, Notorious BIG, Prince, Drake, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, Tupac, KRS-1, Snoop Dog & Dr. Dre.

He created and taught the world's first university-accredited course on hip-hop culture at UMASS and Will is also the Director Of Operations in North America for Full Court 21 the world's most unique basketball tournament.

Nigerian princess and Canada’s Queen Of Afrobeats “Zochi” is Canada’s leading female Afrobeats artist and songwriter from Regina, Saskatchewan. She’s been dominating the charts and the media with her new single #Alone #Wholeagain from her EP Afrikkan Man Fairytale (AFT). She was nominated for Contemporary Artist Of The Year 2022 at the Saskatchewan Music Awards, Headliner at Cathedral Village Arts Festival and opening for Jully Black at the GRBMFC June 15th Concert. Zochi has been featured in numerous national publicity like Cashbox Canada, Billboard Canada, Canadian Music, Femme and more. Her music can be found on Spotify playlists, YouTube, Apple Music, and everywhere music is heard globally. Zochi sits on the Board Of Directors for SaskMusic and uses her power and influence in music to educate and enlighten the LGBTQ+ family about loving one’s self and loving each other shedding positivity wherever she goes. Look for Zochi’s North American tour coming fall of ’25.

Colleen James, an award-winning equity and inclusion consultant and founder of Divonify, believes in challenging the status quo of racial equity and social justice. James has over 15 years of experience working with organizations to question inequities and embrace the differences that exist within their workforce.

Named one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada in 2020 and one of the top DEI persons of the year in 2021, James has worked with many organizations leading thought-provoking discussions that challenge assumptions. Enabling leaders to deepen their understanding of power and privilege, she empowers her clients to rethink their outdated business models and create equal opportunities within the organization. On October 24, 2022, Colleen was elected to Regional Council representing Kitchener residents.

Kyle Sawyer is an award winning director and executive producer. He is the co-founder of the Digital Sabbath Film Company and creator of the Open Gate Filmmaker Lab. In the commercial world, he's made films for Canada Post, Home Hardware, Def Jam Records, Purolator, ParaMed and more. In the film world, Kyle's series Business Unusual, which he executive produced and directed with Digital Sabbath, premiered on Air Canada in March 2023. Kyle's narrative short films have screened at festivals around the world, been featured on Beyond the Short, Film Shortage and found distribution with Prime Video in the USA and SofyTV in Europe.

His latest film What If She Could? won shoot of the year at the Filmsupply artists summit in Nashville, TN.

Director, Black Music Canada

Jon Sarpong is the Director of Black Music Canada, an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the rich tapestry of Black musical talent across the nation. With a deep passion for music and cultural advocacy, Jon has been instrumental in fostering an inclusive environment where artists from diverse backgrounds can thrive. In his previous roles, Jon served as the Editor and VP of business Development for Torstar's SWAY Magazine and the Managing Director of JCL Media Group. His work includes developing programs that highlight the contributions of Black artists, organizing events that showcase up-and-coming talent, and Collaborating with other organizations to increase the visibility of Black artists in the Canada.

RNB SOUL PIONEER/EVENT PRODUCER

Jordan Patterson, named for U.S. Civil Rights activist Clarence Jordan (1912-1969), was born June 10th, 1969. As the youngest of nine, he shares a birthday with Chicago blues legend Howling Wolf, which might explain why he was destined to proclaim some Cotton Patch Gospel of his own. Patterson confirmed his love for the music BLUES when a friend smuggled him in to see The James Cotton Blues Band at a dive called the Coronet Motor Hotel in Kitchener, Ontario. He inhaled hand-me-down records from his older brothers and sisters, and his mama was an Elvis nut. Many of the relationships Patterson formed in his early life including musical heroes have carried on even until today. Jordan would be the first one to say that his life has been blessed with great opportunities and the mentors he needed to learn the correct way to make things happen. On Patterson’s sixteenth birthday, he was given a Hohner Marine Band Harmonica in the key of G, which would prove to be a defining moment and turning point in his life. When speaking to Jordan, which most would concur is quite an experience, he is just as candid about his times of pain and disappointment as he is grateful for the gift of opportunities and adventure that his life has been. And, more importantly, he is glad he made it through.

Jordan’s parents are both retired professors, who taught at the University of Waterloo in Ontario Canada. His father, E Palmer Patterson II, is renowned for his work on the history of the First Nations People of Canada, and his mother, Nancy–Lou Patterson, founded the university’s Fine Arts department. Both parents of white ethnicity lived the reality of the civil rights movement, firsthand, before relocating to Canada in the late 1950s. His mother did as best she could to provide their adopted, mixed child of German and Jamaican heritage the necessary guidance and tools he needed to become who he is today.

Tony Winger’s affinity for music began in Kingston, Jamaica, developed in the Bronx and Brooklyn and honed in the DMV. which lead him to a career as a musician, DJ, nightclub manager, newscaster, record label founder, producer, and production/tour manager in the music business. He has been instrumental in promoting and developing some of today’s most influential artists in the Entertainment Industry.

Taking the Mid Atlantic market by storm, Winger did a brief stint with WEA Distribution as Black Music Merchandiser working with such artists as Bob Marley, Al Jarreau, Ashford & Simpson, Chaka Khan, Queen, Rickie Lee Jones, and Funkadelic. His merchandising expertise caught the attention of then RCA Records Regional Promotion Representatives Patrick Spencer and Leroy Little. In 1978, Winger joined RCA, A&M and Associated Labels as their first Black Music Merchandiser in the Mid-Atlantic market and was charged with increasing the presence of RCA brand in the African American market place. While at RCA, he held several positions including Regional Sales Rep in Kansas City and Regional Promotion Manager for the Mid-Atlantic. Once again, his marketing expertise was put on display – it didn’t hurt to have acts like Alabama, The Main Ingredient, The Go-Go’s, Stephanie Mills, 38 Special, Jefferson Airplane, Hall & Oats, Diana Ross, The Police, The Dells, The Whispers, LTD, Brothers Johnson, Lakeside, Supertramp, Shalamar Midnight Star, Instant Funk and Skyy as an integral part of the RCA family!

Winger caught the attention of Epic Records and Mercury records who gave him the opportunity to become the Mid-Atlantic Regional promotions representative working with Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Teena Marie, SOS Band, Alexander O’Neal, Miami Sound Machine and Sade.

Currently, Tony is on the board of directors of the Living Legends Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing members of the entertainment industry whose efforts and contributions have paved the way for many in the industry, especially minorities and women. He is also a consultant for various artists, for profit and non-profit organizations.

Staying true to his call to serve others, Winger is currently an ordained Christian minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, with a specific calling leading him to provide counseling to those who have drug or alcohol abuse issues. He is a Certified Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Counselor, a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, a member of the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, and the Virginia Association of Addiction Professionals.