The Black Academy Announces Honourees

Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, co-founders of The Black Academy and Bay Mills Studios have announced the four honourees.

The list includes International award-winning actor and producer Amanda Brugel (Dark Matter, The Handmaid’s Tale); Nathaniel James, Kadeem Hemmings and Nicholas McDonald of the viral TikTok dance trio, Basement Gang; multi-platinum recording artist Fefe Dobson; and, Founder and CEO of Kingsdale Advisors, Executive Chairman and Founder of WeShall Investments, Executive Chairman and Founder of The BlackNorth Initiative and a Dragon investor on CBC’s Dragon’s Den, Wes Hall.

Black Canadian Talent

Hosted by Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, each half-hour episode of The Legacy Lounge will celebrate one of these influential Black Canadian honourees whose work has left a lasting mark on their field, culture, and community.

The four-part series will premiere on CBC Gem (Friday, January 30) with all four episodes available to stream. Following this initial premiere, the series will also be available during Black History Month on CBC’s YouTube channel. With weekly episodes beginning Monday, February 2; and on CBC TV at 7:30 p.m. (8 p.m. NT) on Fridays beginning February 27.

In addition to the four honourees, the series will feature guest appearances:

• Kevin “k-os” Brereton and Christian Thompson in the episode celebrating Fefe Dobson
• Barb Godfrey and Weyni Mengesha, who herself received the Trailblazer Award from The Black Academy at the 2024 Legacy Awards, in Amanda Brugel’s episode
• Walied Soliman and filmmaker Clement Virgo for Wes Hall’s episode; and
• Adrian Holmes, host of the 2024 Legacy Awards, will be featured in the episode celebrating Basement Gang.
• Testimonials by Willow Smith and Ann Merriam for Fefe Dobson, O-T Fagbenle for Amanda Brugel and Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor for Basement Gang will also be featured.

In Conversation

The Legacy Lounge is a reimagined format of The Legacy Awards and is part of an ongoing partnership with CBC. The series will be a dynamic In Conversation honouring the legacy and achievements of Black Canadians. The Legacy Lounge will feature four episodes. These episodes are each dedicated to celebrating an honouree. They will join the two hosts, Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, for an intimate, heartfelt roundtable-style conversation. All episodes filmed at Toronto’s King & Bay Bespoke Solutions. Together, Shamier and Stephan will explore the honouree’s journey. From personal struggles to creative breakthroughs. And reflect on the legacy they’re building, in their own words. With a perfect blend of inspiration, laughter, and deep reflection and a few surprises, the series is where culture meets conversation. 

The Legacy Lounge

Shamier Anderson (John Wick) and Golden Globe nominee and Stephan James (If Beale Street Could Talk) co-created and serve as executive producers on The Legacy Lounge. Emmy Award-winning producers, Jesse Murphy (Laugh It Forward) and Andrew Barnsley (Schitt’s Creek) are Executive Producers. Tse Daniel and Shelby Bronstine oversee production as series producers on behalf of Bay Mills Studios, The Black Academy, and Project10. For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports; Jennifer Dettman is Executive Director, Unscripted Content; and Nic Meloney is Executive in Charge of Production, Unscripted Content.

SOURCE: cbc.ca