Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall, born Jason Harrow, will be among seven honourees at the 2025 University of West Indies (UWI) Toronto Benefit Awards, organisers have announced.

The 16th annual evening of recognition in support of scholarships for Caribbean students will take place on Saturday April 26, 2025 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 181 Wellington Street, Toronto at 5:30pm EST.

This year’s theme, Bridging the Gap, reflects the UWI’s unwavering promise to Caribbean students and their communities, organisers said.

“This is a proud night for the Caribbean diaspora and it does more than just bridge gaps; it builds and strengthens communities, uniting us in a shared vision of education, empowerment, and recognition of leaders and mentors who guide the way forward,” says Dr Donette Chin-Loy Chang, UWI Toronto Benefit Awards Co-Patron.

The highly-anticipated event cultivates a high-profile guest list of corporate executives, public personalities and community members committed to giving back to the Caribbean.

Harrow, a multi-platinum rapper and producer who was born in Toronto to Jamaican parents, will be the recipient of the Luminary Award.

The other 2025 honorees are:

G Raymond Chang Award: Myron Garron and Mrs Berna Garron – Canadian philanthropists, who have contributed millions to paediatric health and Canadian healthcare institutions;

Chancellor’s Award: Onyx Initiative – a non-profit organisation founded by Wayne and Nigela Purboo designed to expand the recruitment pipeline and close the systemic gap in the hiring, retention and promotion of black college and university students, and recent graduates for roles in corporate Canada

Vice Chancellor’s Award:
– Dr Mark Beckles, Community Investment Initiatives – RBC Royal Bank, President and CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada);
– Patricia DeGuire – Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, co-founder of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers and the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada;
– Leslie Woo, CEO at CivicAction, Founder of shebuildscities.org.

Headlining the night’s entertainment is The Voice (season 5) winner, Jamaican singer-songwriter Tessanne Chin, who was also a UWI Toronto Benefit Luminary Honouree in 2014. Also performing are Thunder Dome Sounds featuring Eddie Bullen, Quincy Bullen, Tré-Michael Bullen and Belinda Brady, along with saxophonist Jesse Ryan.

The UWI Toronto Benefit Awards has awarded more than 1,000 scholarships to Caribbean students. For the 16th consecutive year, Scotiabank is the lead chair and sponsor. Primary sponsors for this year’s event are Dr Donette Chin-Loy Chang, Sprott Inc, the Hibbert Family Foundation, BDO and the Raymond Chang Foundation.

The patrons of the UWI Toronto Benefit Awards are Dr Donette Chin-Loy Chang, Kevin Hibbert and Ann-Marie Hibbert, all passionate supporters of higher education and the UWI Student Scholarship Fund.