Banker and community activist Ronald Cunningham, a native of Granville, St. James, has been named among the 100 Most Influential Black Canadians by Afroglobal Television, a global super channel that caters to people of African descent.
Cunningham, who was described as a social change maker and compassionate humanitarian, has impacted the lives of thousands of young people over the past 20 years, “refining his Youth Development Programs.”
“These seek to improve the lives of young people by meeting their fundamental physical, developmental and social needs and helping them develop the skills necessary to reach their full potential and become successful adults,” the citation says.
From his Mississauga base in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Cunningham founded Citizens for the Advancement of Community Development (CACD), a black-run registered charity which he leads as CEO.
Ron Cunningham and his wife Sonia at the Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards ceremony in Toronto, Canada.
Cunningham’s community work has earned her numerous awards and recognitions, including a prestigious award from Mayor Hazel McCallion for her exemplary work in community development.
He has also received the YMCA of the GTA Peace Medal; the Ron Lenyk Crime Prevention Volunteer of the Year Award; the 2011 Ontario Volunteer Service Award; the 2012 Queen Diamond Jubilee Award for Community Service; the 2014 Ontario Volunteers 10-Year Service Award and the 2015 City of Mississauga Civic Award for 10 years of community involvement.
Other recognitions include the 2017 Harry Jerome Community Service Award; the Government of Ontario Volunteer Service Award and the 2019 Afroglobal Excellence Award for Community Service.
Dr. Jean Augustine of Grenada, Canada’s first black woman member of parliament and minister
In 2006, Cunningham wrote a research paper, “Impact on Peacebuilding and Development in Jamaica: Addressing the Challenges and Opportunities Encountered by the Jamaican Diaspora,” through the University of Peace, mandated by the United Nations.
In 2022, he was selected by the Jamaican Consulate General, under the theme “Jamaica 60 – Toronto Game Changers” as one of the 35 most influential and impactful senior and next-generation leaders in the Greater Toronto Area.
Among the distinguished list of 18-year-old past recipients of the award are: Jamaica’s first female Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, and businessman Michael Lee-Chin; Dr. Jean Augustine of Grenada, Canada’s first black MP and minister, and Professor Wole Soyinka, a Nobel Prize winner from Nigeria.
Other winners have included Kevin Williams, president of General Motors Canada; South African music superstar Yvonne Chaka Chaka; Oscar-winning Hollywood star David Oyelowo; nuclear engineer Dr. Sylvester Osamusali; the Director General of the Bank of Montreal, Stanley Julien; YWCA International President Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro and Olympic gold medalist Daniel Igali.
Mikael Clemons (left), head of the Afroglobal Television Network, and Ron Cunningham on the red carpet
Cunningham holds degrees in Economics (BA) and Accounting/Finance (B.Com) from York University and professional designations in Banking/Finance (AICB) and Management (CIM).
He attended Harrison Memorial High School in Montego Bay and the College of Arts, Sciences and Technology (now UTech Jamaica) before immigrating to Canada, where he worked in the four traditional pillars of the Canadian financial system: banking, trust, insurance and brokerage in Canada’s lucrative financial district – King/Bay Street.
He has served in the corporate headquarters of four of Canada’s largest banks: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce); Bank of Nova Scotia; Bank of Montreal and Royal Bank of Canada, in the Chief Accountant Divisions, Corporate Finance Divisions, Corporate Accounting Division and Controller Group; as well as the Banca Commerciale Italiana of Canada.
“The Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards are designed to showcase the achievements of individuals, organizations, companies and agencies that make a profound difference in the lives of people of African descent and transform the communities where they live,” the organizers said.
It is managed by Michael Lutrell “Pinball” Clemons, an American-Canadian sports executive and former running back who serves as the general manager of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
Afroglobal’s Advisory Board has included Hollywood actress Tonya Williams; Dr. Jean Augustin; Dr. Julius Garvey, son of Jamaica’s national hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey.
The Afroglobal Television Network presents documentaries, biographies, music, movies, sitcoms, soap operas, talk shows, dramas, sports and athletics, children’s programming, reality shows, dance, news, current affairs, and content that reflects the rich and diverse heritage from Africa, the Caribbean and the Diaspora, organizers said.
