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The history of Black people in Upper Canada goes well back to the 1700’s. Many of them were slaves brought to Canada by Loyalists fleeing the United States. 

1834 saw both the abolishment of slavery in Canada and the Town of York renamed the City of Toronto. It was in this period between 1834 and through the end of the American Civil War the Black community in Toronto first grew. Many of them brought an entrepreneurial spirit like Thornton and Lucy Blackburn who started a livery service and owned a number of properties. Wilson Ruffan Abbott ultimately owned more than 50 properties. 

Many of the properties these Black entrepreneurs owned would now be considered absolute prime real estate in Toronto – but the 1950’s and 1960’s saw many of them forced out. 

There was also a strong migration of Blacks from the Caribbean starting at the end of the Second World War.

Take a trip back in time through this episode and get an appreciation for Toronto that is seldom taught in schools.

Guest: Kathy Grant, Toronto Historian  

See the Pure Silver Coin Commemorating Black History: No.2 Construction Battalion

• Thornton and Lucy Blackburn - 2:12, 9:55, 10:59
• Wilson Ruffin Abbott - 2:19, 6:08, 9:42
• Anderson Ruffin Abbot - 9:42
• William Peyton Hubbard - 2:52, 11:28
• Frederick Hubbard - 3:39
• Albert Jackson - 8:57
• Judge George Carter - 13:50
• Alvin Duncan - 15:47
• Sam Bestwick - 16:22
• Donald Moore - 16:52, 20:26
• Bernice Carnegie - 17:41
• Herb Carnegie - 18:38
• Harry Gary - 19:51
• Stanley Grizzle - 21:16
• Daniel Hill Sr - 22:21
• Danny Braithwaite - 26:24

Desmond can be reached at:
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