Windsor-Essex Community Leaders Celebrated with Prestigious Multicultural Honors
Two distinguished Windsor-Essex figures have been selected as the 2026 recipients of the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County Foundation's highest honors. Emelda Byrne, Director of Education for the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, will receive the Herb Gray Harmony Award, while retired pediatrician Dr. Mark Awuku will be honored with the MCC Champion Award.
Decades of Dedication Recognized at Upcoming Gala
The awards will be formally presented during the Multicultural Council Awards Gala on May 1 at the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts. This annual event has celebrated community champions for over twenty years, highlighting individuals who have made significant contributions to fostering inclusion and support throughout the region.
Fred Francis, Executive Director of the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County, emphasized the importance of these recognitions. "For more than two decades, the MCC Awards Gala has recognized individuals who are dedicated to helping others and making our community a more welcoming place for all," Francis stated. "Both of these worthy recipients exemplify the values and dedication to community that these awards represent."
Emelda Byrne: Pioneering Educator and Equity Advocate
Emelda Byrne's recognition with the Herb Gray Harmony Award, presented by WFCU Credit Union, celebrates her remarkable thirty-five-year career in Catholic education within Windsor-Essex. Beginning as a classroom teacher in 1987, Byrne steadily advanced through various leadership roles, serving as vice-principal, principal, and senior administrator before achieving a historic milestone.
In 2021, Byrne was appointed Director of Education, becoming the first woman in the local board's history to hold this prestigious position. In her current capacity, she spearheads the board's Equity Action Plan, which emphasizes culturally responsive teaching practices and enhanced Indigenous learning opportunities.
"Her leadership in implementing the Equity Action Plan demonstrates a profound commitment to creating inclusive educational environments for all students," noted a colleague familiar with her work.
Dr. Mark Awuku: Pediatric Care Pioneer and Community Leader
Dr. Mark Awuku will receive the MCC Champion Award, presented by Cogeco, which specifically honors first-generation Canadians whose leadership and service have created lasting community impact. Awuku dedicated more than three decades to providing pediatric care to children and families throughout Windsor-Essex before retiring in 2022.
His medical journey began with a degree from the University of Ghana, followed by postgraduate training in pediatrics and pediatric critical care at the University of Toronto. Awuku's distinguished career included serving as Chief of Pediatrics at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and as a Professor of Pediatrics at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry's Windsor campus.
Dr. Awuku's accolades extend beyond his clinical work, having been named Ontario Pediatrician of the Year and receiving the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award in the Business Professional of the Year category.
Celebrating Community Impact and Multicultural Contributions
The selection of these two recipients highlights the diverse ways community members contribute to Windsor-Essex's social fabric. Byrne's work in educational equity and Awuku's decades of pediatric service represent complementary approaches to building stronger, more inclusive communities.
The Multicultural Council awards recognize not just professional achievements but also personal dedication to values that strengthen community bonds across cultural lines. Both recipients have demonstrated through their careers how sustained commitment to specific fields can create broader social benefits that extend far beyond their immediate professional responsibilities.
As Windsor-Essex prepares to celebrate these honorees in May, their stories serve as inspiring examples of how individual dedication can transform communities through education, healthcare, and a genuine commitment to inclusion and equity for all residents.
