Jon Sarpong, Editor of Sway

Our first-ever ALL-WOMAN issue

I’ve had the concept for this particular issue of Sway in mind for quite a while — an issue filled with Canada’s most powerful, influential and well-respected women.

My motivation for this type of content developed in response to the CBC special The Greatest Canadian, which I watched sometime ago. It was broadcast over several days and a two-step process voted in the people. The series featured bios on the likes of David Suzuki, Don Cherry, Wayne Gretzky and the contest’s ultimate winner Tommy Douglas (the father of Canada’s universal healthcare).

The fact that not one of the Top 10 finalists was Black did not surprise me. Let’s be honest, this is not the first time that excellence in the Black community has been overlooked. However, the realization that in the eyes of Canada’s public there was not a single woman whose contribution to our society was deemed worthy of recognition left me dumbfounded.

It also made me think about the societal barriers to success that I have faced as a Black man, and how those faced by Black women must be exponentially greater.

And yet, today we celebrate the inspiring achievements of Canadian women who have overcome both racism and sexism to become community leaders, corporate innovators, political visionaries and iconic symbols of true Canadian greatness.

As we leaf through this very special issue of Sway, let each of us resolve to celebrate the continued success of Black women, whose achievements add to the narrative of Canadian history. After all, it is our story to tell….

Stay blessed,

Jon Sarpong
[email protected]

Photo: Keith Beaty Toronto Star

I love this magazine, it is something to sway about! It is the epitome of community passion! You guys finally found a vehicle of communication whereby our community can turn to get relevant and up-to-date information on what’s right! Love it lots! Keep it coming!

It takes a village.
— Ann-Marie Moulton, TORONTO

Photo: Keith Beaty Toronto Star

Your Caribana issue is awesome. It caught the corner of my eye in one of your street boxes — sorry but I emptied the box so I could make sure all my friends got a copy. Pride, man, Pride.
— Jason, Brampton

Photo: Keith Beaty Toronto Star

I have been following Sway since it first came out. I think I have every copy. I even re-read articles from time to time as they inspire me so much. Now I have your latest Caribana issue to add to my collection. Many many thanks.
— Claudette Hamouda

P.S. I also have to thank you for that UrbanTextures Salons [advertisement]. I went there to get my hair done and I am speechless. Let me just say Christos Cox and his team are amazing.

They treated me like a princess. My hair has never had that much bounce. I am a Black woman and I know how problematic hair can be for us.
— Suzette Marsh

Several of your articles reawakened my drive to succeed by seeing people of colour in successful roles, doing great things in the city. I recently got into York University’s psychology program and a few organizations listed in these articles (Olive Branch of Hope and Tropicana) are now on my list of places to volunteer or apply to gain more experience in order to reach my career goals.

I just wanted to say thank you Sway for these articles and keep up the good work! — Taborah Campbell

Jon Sarpong, Editor of Sway

This season promises to have everyone feeling hot, hot, hot, and Sway is there for all the action. Starting Canadian hip-hop icon and global music phenom Saukrates.

We go one-on-one with the chart-topping producer and artist to get the real deal on fatherhood, touring and the trappings of success. With growing global popularity, concert dates with k-os and Drake, and an upcoming album, the Saukrates movement seems to be in full swing.

From hip-hop bass lines to high-energy soca beats, we cross over to the sights and sounds of Canada’s biggest cultural party with our Caribana Special. This year, transition seems to be Caribana’s theme, as longtime chairman Joe Halstead passes the torch to Denise Herrera-Jackson. Sway connected with them to speak about the impact and legacy of Caribana, as well as its strategy for future growth.

Away from Caribana’s executive boardroom, we hit the streets in our Battle of the Bands piece to find out who you think will take the crown as band of the year. We then go to the Jane-Finch launch of the joint mas band project between the Toronto Police Service and children in the community. We also made sure to check out the secret behind the pulse of the e-pan at the Ontario Science Centre.

Lastly, a special treat. Sway was invited to tour the gorgeous home of super couple Dwight and Janice Drummond. In this design exclusive (Sway beat out The Globe and Mail and the National Post), we reveal the couple’s beautifully renovated abode.

It’s summertime and the livin’ is easy. So let’s get out there and enjoy every moment.

Take care and stay blessed,

Jon Sarpong