Each year, Canadian Immigrant magazine names the winners of its Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards, given to immigrants or refugees who have made a significant impact on their adopted country. Among this year’s winners are three York University alumni and one former faculty member.
W. Andy Knight, alumni
Knight, who received his PhD in political science from York University, is a renowned and award-winning University of Alberta Distinguished Professor in the Political Science Department specializing in global governance, the United Nations and more. In addition to being a prolific author – with over 16 books, 80 chapters in edited volumes and 68 journal articles – he is a Fulbright Distinguished Chair in International and Area Studies at Yale University, a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, as well as the inaugural provost fellow in Black excellence and leadership at his university.
Andre Smith, alumni
Smith, who completed a bachelor’s degree in accounting from York University, is the founder and CEO of Flip & Floss, a digital platform that teaches and empowers today’s youth with financial literacy and money management skills. The company – founded in 2020 – already has over 5,000 users and 1,000 workshops.
Previously, Smith has received the CBC Toronto Community Champions award (in 2020) and was the BMO Black Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Technology Industry.
Nadine Williams, alumni
Poet, author and arts educator Nadine Williams has published four collections of poetry, two children’s books and 16 volumes of literature for Black History Month that are part of Canadian school curriculums. She is frequently called upon as a speaker and presenter, having shared her work at Citizenship & Immigrants Canada ceremonies and at events with prestigious attendees like former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama, Jamaica’s former prime minister Portia Simpson and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. She is also using an art installation project called The Fabric of Our Being to raise awareness about the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent project.
Other recognitions Williams has received include being named on a list of 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women in 2022, being given the 2024 Women Who Inspire Change Award from the Jamaican Canadian Association and earning a parliamentary mention for contributions to Black history in Canada.
Gervan Fearon, former faculty
Fearon, who once served as a York University associate professor and associate dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, is the current president of George Brown College in Toronto.
Fearon was recognized for his contributions as a prominent education advocate, driving and leveraging the transformative power of learning to improve social and economic mobility.
His career’s work has previously earned him the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum and Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Michaëlle Jean Foundation Influencer Award and an appointment to the Order of Ontario.
Visit the the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards website to find out more about the winners.