Political science chair Andy Knight has been known by many names and titles: author, lecturer, professor. But Knight has been accorded another title by the Black Business and Professional Association of Canada: Trailblazer. On April 24, Knight will receive the 2010 Harry Jerome Trailblazer award at that organization's annual gala in Toronto.
Knight is only the seventh person to have received the trailblazer award since the Harry Jerome awards were created in 1983.
The awards are named for Harry Jerome, a black Canadian athlete, born and raised in Western Canada, who competed in three summer Olympics in the 1960s (he won a bronze for the 100m in 1964) and was instrumental in the founding of Canada's Ministry of Sport. Jerome died in 1982 at the age of 42 of a brain aneurysm.
Knight, who was nominated by Fil Fraser, an Edmonton businessman and honorary U of A PhD, says that being notified of the award was exciting but also came as "a bit of a shock."
"It has a huge symbolic impact on anyone who is of colour in Canada because it speaks to your contribution as a person of minority to Canada as a whole," said Knight. "I find it a huge honour to be associated with that name in any way."
"The Harry Jerome Trailblazer Award is a tremendous distinction for Andy, and one that is well deserved," said Colleen Skidmore, interim dean of the Faculty of Arts. "Andy is an energetic and community-engaged social scientist who leads and inspires undergraduate and graduate students, as well as colleagues and citizens, through his ideas, insights, advice and action on international relations, development and humanitarian issues."
Moreover, Knight views receiving this prize as an opportunity in many ways. Chiefly, he notes, is the chance to spotlight the contributions of African and Caribbean Canadians in the west. He says that many black Canadians are doing great and important work in Western Canada and do not get the recognition or support that they merit. Knight is also hoping that winning the award will have a springboard effect on people of minority across the country.
"It's not just about me, I want to be able to say that, as a result of this award, it just goes to show that people can make a difference in their communities wherever they are, regardless of colour, religion, sex, whatever," he said. "It should be encouraging to anyone who wants to make a contribution to their community."
As Knight puts it, he feels as if he is standing on the shoulders of those who paved the way before him. He views this award as motivation to help others reach their potential.
"I didn't realize the significance of this until I started talking to a few people who knew this information and they said 'do you realize what this will do for the black community in Alberta," explained Knight, who hopes he can inspire others to set goals and ignore obstacles to reach their aspirations. To ensure this, Knight is willing to step up, as he says people such as Fraser have done, to help others succeed.
"I'm hoping that people see the value of their work and I maybe I can help as well at trailblazing the path for other people to be recognized," said Knight. "If I'm part of that progress, I'm happy, and to be part of it to say to the young kids, 'if I can do it, you can do it, too.'
"I think that's my job now. I have to look out for people who have tremendous potential and encourage and promote them so they can reach their fullest potential in society."