Community stalwart remembered for kindness, youth advocacy
Published:Saturday | July 27, 2024 | 12:06 AM
TORONTO:
Louis March, 68, a stalwart in the black community, is being remembered as a committed, kind, Afrocentric and tireless leader, and an advocate for youth. He died at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto on July 20 after a brief illness.
March, who was born on August 1, 1955, in England lived in Spanish Town, Jamaica and attended St. Jago High School, before migrating to Canada as a teenager. He volunteered in the African Canadian community, focusing on social justice and youth advocacy in organisations including Young and Potential Fathers, now Ujima Fathering Centres, the Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride committee, and Black Students Union, George Brown College.
He has volunteered over 30 years with the African Canadian Heritage Association (ACHA). Having previously worked in the financial services industry, he graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University, in the public administration and governance program in 2017 and pursued further studies there in 2018.
In 2013, March founded the Zero Gun Violence Movement (ZGVM), a collaboration of 40-plus GTA organisations, agencies and programmes, addressing structural and socio-economic conditions contributing to gun violence.
“The intention is to help build healthier communities for all, and ultimately save lives via a city-wide collaboration of organisations, agencies and programs. I have decided to put my professional business career on hold, so that I can dedicate my full attention to the ZGVM,” March noted on his LinkedIn profile.
Adisa Oji, chief of Mother Africa’s Children Photographic Reproductions International (MACPRI) and founder of the Made in Africa Awards movement, who is based in Ghana, said among the final things they both shared before March was hospitalised was the support of Zero Gun Violence Movement for his work in Ghana.
March purchased red, black and green (RBG) products for gift giving, supported its flag fundraiser production campaign, and sponsored an associated venture.
“My love for Brother Louis is eternal.”
“It is still real, journey well Big Brother Louis and as his parting words often in or regular voice and text messages [say]: ‘We still have a lot of work to do.’”
SERVED YOUNG PEOPLE
Community advocate Kofi Sankofa described March as a pan-Africanist, Garveyite, community builder and mobiliser.
“In my last conversation with Baba Louis, he wanted to get Sankofa birds to award community leaders at the upcoming Underground Freedom Train Ride, July 31-August 1. He also wanted to unify various community organisations. Baba Louis March was always bringing community together. He was our historian and community elder. We will continue your work and be inspired every time your name is called as our ancestor,” he said.
Blackhurst Cultural Centre, organiser of the annual Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride, posted on its Facebook page: “It was a privilege to have walked with Louis in this life. Sending lots of love to the family at this time. Louis carved out a big place in our hearts and in the City of Toronto. May his spirit forever live in our stories and memories.” An event to honour him will be hosted at the Centre on July 26.
Dave D’Oyen, a student at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University, organised an Emancipation Day March in Toronto on August 1, 2020, which Louis March championed.
“Brother Louis is one of my biggest supporters, in advocacy and in education. When I was worried about the turnout for the Emancipation Day March, he would say, “No matter who turns up, even if it’s 10, we will march like 10,000.” He readily shared information about scholarships to ensure I had funding for my legal studies. He would remind me I am one of his biggest investments. Brother Louis has served young people, Jamaicans and the wider black community, and this country well. He saved many souls, and his legacy requires that we continue his work.”
FOUND HIS NICHE
Michael Charles, a former president of ACHA, said March always found time to create a balance between his family and the community.
“He was a very loving man, love for his family was paramount, to his son, to his wife, and to his extended family,” Charles said, noting that March’s work for the African community was his life work.
Lindis Collins-Bacchus, a member of ACHA, said March was always very committed and was their communications person who went all over Toronto.
“He used to bring a lot of people to the programme because he was out and about even before Zero Gun Violence. People already knew Louis very well, but he also seemed to have a bigger agenda. He actually found his niche in the Zero Gun Violence, I think, because he loved helping young people and got more and more committed to helping the young people who were in trouble.”
She said March was a dedicated Garveyite, strong in his Afrocentricity, and a great financial person. ACHA has never forgotten the professionalism he demonstrated in managing the funds of the 55-year-old organisation. March left a good management history and legacy with the programme.
Nzinga Walker, a neighbour and close friend of the family, said March was a tireless leader who was determined to pursue the things he believed in, but she also knew him as a family man who looked out for others.
“He was a very kind person, when he saw the opportunity to fulfil a need he didn’t hesitate if that’s something he had the ability to do,” Walker said.
Plans are being made to have two events: a private funeral for the family, and a larger gathering with the community.
March is survived by his wife, Wendie, their son, Troy, his two brothers Adrian and Trevor, and his 91-year-old mother, Alecia March-Aitcheson.