The annual Reverend John. C Holland awards were back Saturday

The annual Reverend John. C Holland awards were back in person for the first time since the pandemic last night.

The event awards bursaries and scholarships to black youth in Hamilton.

Around 700 people were in attendance for last night’s event.

And 65 of them were Hamilton students, all hoping to be awarded a scholarship or bursary for their post-secondary education.

18-year-old Chanice Olokesusi was awarded the Nelson Mandela Social Justice Award, which is worth around 15-hundred-dollars.

Another winner was 16-year-old Ademide Abogunrin, who was awarded the Hamilton Steelworkers Area Council Community Matters Scholarship.

The Reverend John. C Holland awards also recognized adult leaders in Hamilton.

Robert Small, an artist, author, educator and the only African-Canadian recipient of the Order of Canada, won the award of merit Saturday.

His artwork was on display for attendees as they entered the hall.

The awards were created in honour of Reverend, John C. Holland, a Hamilton newspaper courier who achieved his dreams of becoming a minister, and eventually became the first African-Canadian to be named “citizen of the year” in any community in this country.