By Leroy Graham

Zanana Akande has always liked the idea of being a groundbreaker. It’s one of the reasons she entered provincial politics, becoming the first Black woman to win a seat in Ontario’s provincial parliament. It’s also why, in 1975, she had no qualms about moving into Toronto’s exclusive Forest Hill neighbourhood.

“I was pregnant,” says Akande. “We either had to extend the house that we were in or find something larger. We looked at this house and the one next door. I like Tudor houses and I can always pick one out. I remember when I came in and went through the house, I liked the style and spaciousness of it.”

Akande and her late husband, Isaac, decided to purchase the home, located in the mostly Jewish enclave. Although the arrival of the family was generally well received by neighbours and the community, being one of the few Black residents in the area did come with its share of issues. First, the Black community questioned why the Akandes moved into the almost all-Jewish neighbourhood.

Secondly, Forest Hill homeowners wondered how a Black family might change the complexion of the area. The Akandes’ response to all of the back and forth was simple: “Let’s just say we moved in and didn’t really care,” she says with a laugh. “I wasn’t really looking for an experience and hadn’t anticipated one. However, there were comments. One day, a child came up to my son while he was playing on the driveway and said, ‘You can’t live here. Does your mother work here?’ I wondered if I was going to get any more of those comments when they went off to school.”

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Legend: Zanana Akande.  Akande reminisces with Sway about breaking through Canada’s political glass ceiling.

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Little did Akande know that a few negative experiences would galvanize her neighbours to advocate on behalf of her family, insisting that they be treated with the same courtesies afforded to any other Forest Hill resident. “I had mentioned what happened, in passing, to my gynaecologist, who lived in the area, as well as to a woman who worked at the school where I was a consultant. They didn’t like the sound of those comments and I don’t know what happened, but comments just stopped. The kids made friends, we made friends, and everyone was just fine,” she says.

The beautiful Tudor home that Akande fell in love with in 1975 has seen its share of tragedy and triumph. Events of the early 1990s are of particular note for Akande, who recalls her political gain and personal loss: “I remember winning the election. I was surprised because I didn’t think I would win.

But after being elected, I remember long nights working in the house. We would get the kids settled then my husband would do his work and I would do mine. We’d meet for coffee in the kitchen, sometimes at 2 a.m.,” she says. “Almost a year and three months after I was elected, my husband died. He died six weeks after cancer had been diagnosed. Three days before he died, there was a dinner for Isaac and I. There were hundreds of people there and they presented us with some of the beautiful pictures hanging in my home.”

Having navigated politics, personal loss and a successful professional career, Akande is now happy to spend her well-deserved free time enjoying life as a grandmother. “We’re city people. My children live nearby and are here quite often. I’m quite comfortable here, and I think I’ve earned the right to live in comfort,” she says with a laugh. “I hope that doesn’t sound arrogant or selfish, but that’s the way I feel. I don’t see any need to leave this house. Sometimes we’re more loyal to what we’ve said than to what we feel, so I reserve the right to change my mind. But at this point, I don’t think I will.”

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BY: Andrew Miller
PHOTOGRAPHY: Michael Chambers

On a lucky day, you’re likely to catch the Leacocks listening to music and baking cookies with their four-year-old son, Maxwell. Nikki Leacock’s vibrant paintings adorn the walls of this downtown condo in a trendy Toronto neighbourhood. Photos of friends and family add to this warm and well-designed space, where the family has enjoyed profound moments with relatives and their cache of close friends.

“Family is monumental with us,” says Richard. “One of the things that Nikki and I love about each other is that family has always played an important role in our lives.”

Having grown up in Vancouver, Richard moved to Toronto to star alongside Billy Ray Cyrus on the hit drama television series Doc. His wife, Nikki, grew up in Alberta and is an accomplished artist who has sold pieces all over the globe.

“In the West Indies, doing art or being an actor isn’t perceived as a job but as a hobby,” says Richard. “I’m thankful that our families have both been very supportive. With most West Indian families, you’re supposed to go to school, get a job and then work. My brother is in the [arts] business as well, and he’s one of my best friends. We support each other and that’s just the way it is.”

In the dining room area, Nikki displays two of her paintings that hang on the wall.

“These paintings were from a series called Vanity, a playful look at the online world that we’re living in right now, while most of the abstract portraits that I do are either of family or close friends,” says Nikki. Leading away from the living room, a long glass window lets in natural light while giving a wonderful view of the downtown core. This room plays multiple functions — as Max’s playroom, Nikki’s art studio and Richard’s home office.

“We love this room for its versatility and the great view,” says Richard. “Max has taken up an interest in art just like his mother, so it’s a great space for him to express himself and be creative.”

Inspiration can come from many sources and Barack Obama, who the couple met while in Chicago, has proved to be a huge force in motivating and inspiring people all over the world. Nikki has painted the words from one of his speeches on a canvas, while Richard is in the process of creating a documentary of Barack’s road to the White House.

“We got the opportunity to meet Barack Obama a couple years ago at the 2004 democratic convention. From the very first time I heard him speak, I knew he’d be doing big things,” says Richard. “I know a lot of black people are hopeful towards the future and him winning the election is a sign that anything can be achieved with hard work.”

For more info on Nikki’s paintings visit: rowenasart.com; to keep up with Richard’s career, visit: richardleacockonline.com.

Already known for her success as an international supermodel, Iman was one of the first to capitalize on her modeling career with the creation of her cosmetics line IMAN in 1994. Now in 2010 Iman will be coming to a home near you with the launch of her second business venture, IMAN Home.

Scheduled for its debut later this month at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Iman will collaborate with design consultant Carlos Mota to produce a line of luxury home fabrics. Iman had this to say about her line being previewed at such a prominent event.

“I am so excited to partner with Mercedes-Benz on this project. We have worked tirelessly in preparation for the launch of IMAN Home and to have this forum, at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, is a great way to unveil the collection.” {Talking Makeup}

With exotic names such as Java Moon and Istanbul Sunset for her fabrics, undoubtedly Iman’s countless travels and fabulous fashion sense will influence her designs. Look out for the new line sometime in late September.

The Drummond Family

Jane and Finch.

For many Torontonians, this often-maligned part of the city is best known through news reports and sensational front-page headlines. But for Dwight and Janice Drummond, two of the area’s most famous former residents, Jane and Finch was the birthplace of dreams and circumstances that ultimately brought together the couple.

“When we first started talking, we realized that we were both from Jane and Finch,” says Dwight, Citytv’s crime specialist. “We actually went to the same schools. I was a little bit older than her and I knew her older siblings, but I didn’t really know her because she had taken off to go model in Paris. Then, we started re-connecting and realized that we both came from the islands at the same age and our interests were the same. Things just took off from there.”

The Living Room

After an exciting courtship, wedding and the birth of their two daughters, the couple decided it was time to find the special piece of property that would serve as their long-term family home. But in Toronto’s turbulent real estate market, the proposition was easier said than done.

“We started looking for a new home after our second child,” says Janice. “For a second, we thought that maybe we could just renovate the space we were in, but that didn’t really work out. At the time, we lived near St. Clair and Bathurst. We loved the area, but we needed a bigger space, so we knew that we’d have to leave.”

After an unsuccessful search that spanned various city locales and a wide range of emotions, the couple had all but given up. But a surprise phone call would ultimately land the Drummonds their dream home. “After two years, we lost hope,” says Janice. “But one Sunday afternoon, our real estate agent called and said, ‘Oh my God! There’s this great house.’

Dining Room

To be honest, I really wasn’t interested but I said, ‘OK, whatever, I’ll go.’ They were actually taking offers that same evening at six. We saw the house and loved it. In two hours we made up our minds and by nine that night, we owned the house.”

With the whirlwind purchase, the couple had the building blocks for what would become their new home. However, the real work was just beginning. “The place actually needed a lot of work,” says Dwight. “We knew what we wanted and to get that we needed an interior designer and an architect. Then, we had to get a builder.” Janice adds, “Thank God [designer] Robin Fraser came into our lives!

She really sort of held our hands and guided us, because the property was actually three different apartments before we bought it. For instance, one thing I wanted was the kitchen overlooking the backyard, because I knew I would spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and the kids being in the backyard, I could keep an eye on them.”

The dream master bedroom

Dwight, however, wasn’t as picky about the aesthetic aspects of their new home. “I’m not a big fan of those design shows,” he says. “Get me my flat screen and a comfortable couch to lie down on and watch the ball game and I’m good. I let Janice, Robin and their whole design team do their thing. I’m easy that way.”

After an extensive renovation that resulted in the creation of a dream kitchen, spa bathroom, third floor children’s play space, dual family rooms, and a host of additional architectural and design features, the family finally feels at home. “I’m really happy about the way the renovations turned out,” says Dwight. “We’ll let the house evolve and we’ll change it as we change.”

The spa-like bathroom

“That’s the thing,” sums up Janice. “The renovations that we’ve done will allow the space to grow with us, and let us be happy in our house for a long time.”