MARTIN LUTHER KING

LEGACY AWARD

MARK BECKLES

Vice President

Social Impact & Innovation

Royal Bank of Canada

Mark Beckles is the Vice President of Social Impact & Innovation at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). His responsibility for RBC’s Community Investment Programs includes RBC Future Launch, RBC Tech for Nature and RBC Emerging Artists. Through RBC Future Launch, the bank has invested over $390M to impact over 5.5M youth, working with over 500 charitable organizations. He is the National Co-Chair of RBC Mosaic, an Employee Resource Group focused on advancing diversity and inclusion at RBC. He had served as Head of RBC Insurance Advice Centre and as Regional Vice President, Retail Banking.

Beckles sits on the Board of William Osler Health System and Metro Toronto Convention Centre. His accolades include the City of Toronto Bob Marley Award, Harry Jerome Awards, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. In 2016, Mark was named as an RBC Global Citizen, and in 2022 as one of the Most Influential Black Canadians by Afroglobal Television. He holds an MBA from the University of Bradford, UK; had executive studies at the Richard Ivey School of Business, and holds the Institute of Corporate Directors designation (ICD.D) from Rotman School of Business. He receives the prestigious 2023 Martin Luther King Legacy Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.

Ginelle Skerritt is the Chief Executive Officer of York Region Children’s Aid Society. She has over 30 years of distinguished leadership experience in the non-profit sector. Her previous roles include Regional Director of UNICEF Ontario. Skerritt’s leadership roles at The Neighbourhood Group, Warden Woods, United Way of Greater Toronto, and Tropicana Community Services, have been remarkable. She prioritizes equity and community engagement to create a supportive environment, especially for the success of children.

Skerritt has served on several boards and committees, including United Way/BMO Inclusive Economic Leadership Table, Toronto District School Board Equity Planning Task Force, CAMH Constituency Council, Black Health Coalition, Toronto Black Food Sovereignty Initiative and more. Co-owner of Adinkra Farm, Skerritt is also a published author on traditional savings and credit associations. She receives the prestigious 2023 Leadership Award from the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program.

GLOBAL IMPACT AWARD

RAHEL ASSEFA

Vice President of Marketing

Ethiopian Airlines

Rahel Assefa is the Vice President of Marketing at Ethiopian Airlines worldwide. Her extraordinary leadership in marketing has played a pivotal role in driving the airline’s highly celebrated success. Ethiopian Airlines is the fastest-growing global airline brand and the largest on the African continent. It has been named Best Airline in Africa by Skytrax for an impressive six times, and boasts a vast network of 131 international passenger and cargo destinations, solidifying its status as a notable global aviation leader.

Assefa’s journey with the airline includes roles in sales, commercial planning, and revenue management. She joined Ethiopian Airlines as a college trainee in 1998, following graduation in Management & Public Administration from Addis Ababa University. She was named one of the World’s 30 Most Compelling Women in Travel by Premier Travel Magazine, USA. She is a trailblazer and role model, who inspires women and girls worldwide. She receives the prestigious 2023 Global Impact Award from the Afroglobal Televison Excellence Awards program. 

THE 2023

EXCELLENCE AWARDS

HIGHLIGHTS 

Date: Saturday, October 21st, 2023, 7.00 PM

Time: Red Carpet, 7.00 PM; Awards Show, 8.00 PM

Venue: Meridian Arts Centre | Toronto Centre For The Arts

Address: 5040 Yonge St., North York ON M2N 6R8 Canada

Tickets: $120 + Applicable fees

https://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/10005F2FB9E83C40

Telecast: Afroglobal Television and OMNI TV

Streaming: Aspects on YouTube, website

Profiles: Excellence Magazine

Afroglobal Television, a 24-hour global super channel, presents the awards gala with other partners. The sixteen recipients of each year are role models for youth in the Crossover Mentorship Program. The premier cable network also runs the 100 Most Influential Black Canadians initiative. Honourees are celebrated at the Excellence Awards gala.

Sponsors: Have included Royal Bank of Canada, Ethiopian Airlines, TD Bank, Chevrolet, Canadian Armed Forces, York Regional Police, Dream Maker Realty, Toronto Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Sterling Dental, Afrocan Foods, FreshCo, Mosaic Foods, Bank of Montreal, Western Union, World Remit, OMNI Television and MoneyGram International. Sponsorship opportunities are available.