Denham Jolly facts for kids

Brandeis Denham Jolly, known as Denham Jolly, is a successful Jamaican-Canadian businessman, writer, and activist. He has done a lot to help people and make a difference in Canada. He is known for starting Canada's first Black-owned mainstream radio station, FLOW 93.5. He also wrote a book about his life called In the Black: My Life.

His Early Life and Education

Denham Jolly was born in Green Island, Jamaica, in 1935. He went to Cornwall College there. Later, he moved to Canada to study. He went to the University of Guelph, Dalhousie University, and McGill University. He earned a science degree from McGill in 1960.

Building Businesses and Helping the Community

After finishing university, Jolly worked in Jamaica for a short time. In 1962, he moved to Canada permanently. He first worked in air pollution research. Then, he became a Chemistry and Physics teacher at Forest Hill Collegiate in Toronto from 1963 to 1968.

Becoming an Entrepreneur

Denham Jolly soon started his own businesses. He bought a rooming house near the University of Toronto. In 1968, he opened Donsview Nursing Home in Toronto. Over the years, he owned several other businesses. These included a Day's Inn Hotel in Mississauga, Ontario, and a nursing home in Dallas, Texas. For over 40 years, he owned and ran Tyndall Nursing Home and Estates in Mississauga. He also owned two medical laboratories in Toronto.

A Voice for the Community

Jolly was not just a businessman; he was also a strong voice for his community. In 1982, he bought and published a community newspaper called Contrast. This newspaper shared important news and stories for the Black community.

That same year, he helped start the Black Business and Professional Association. He also founded the Harry Jerome Awards, which celebrate the achievements of Black Canadians. Jolly was very active in civil rights. He spoke out about social justice issues as a member of the Black Action Defence Committee. He also helped create the Committee for Due Process.

Starting a Radio Station

One of Denham Jolly's biggest achievements was launching FLOW 93.5 CFXJ-FM. This was Canada's first Black-owned mainstream radio station. It took him 12 years to get the license for the station. His long struggle was even written about in major newspapers like the Washington Post and the Toronto Star. They showed how hard it was to overcome racial barriers in Canada. Finally, in June 2000, he got the license.

FLOW 93.5 started broadcasting in February 2001. It was the first major radio station in Canada to play hip-hop music. It was also the first to play music by famous Canadian artist Drake. The station actively promoted Black Canadian musicians. FLOW 93.5 offered many opportunities for Black Canadians in the broadcasting industry. Many famous artists, like Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, and Rihanna, visited the FLOW studios.

In 2005, FLOW 93.5 won the Station of the Year Award. This was a big honor at the Canadian Music Week Industry Awards. Jolly sold his radio stations in 2011.

Giving Back to the Community

Denham Jolly is also a very generous person. He has supported many important causes.

Helping Others

• In 2008, he gave $50,000 to help set up the Jean Augustine Chair in Education at York University.
• In 2010, after a big earthquake in Haiti, Jolly organized volunteers. They sent a shipping container full of walking aids from his nursing home to Haiti.
• He donated $50,000 to the Urology Department at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.
• He also gave money to the Lucie & Thorton and Blackburn Conference Centre project at George Brown College.
• In 2019, Jolly paid off the mortgage for the Jamaican Canadian Association centre. He donated $312,000 to help them.
• He restarted a breakfast program at his old school, Cornwall College in Jamaica, in 2019. This program feeds 60 students every day.
• He continues to support Industry Cove Basic School in Jamaica.
• Since 2019, he has sponsored the Regent Park boys under-12 soccer team. He has also sponsored other Canadian athletes.
• In 2021, Jolly promised $25,000 to The Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Ryerson University. This money will create the B. Denham Jolly Racial Justice Award.

Jolly has also written a book about his life. His memoir, In the Black: My Life, was published in 2017. The book won the 2017 Toronto Book Award. A film about his life, based on his memoir, is currently being made.

Special Recognitions

Denham Jolly has received many awards and honors for his contributions.

• He is listed in important books like Who’s Who of Ontario and Who’s Who of Canada.
• On February 28, 2017, the City of Toronto named a street after him. "Jolly Way" is in a new neighborhood in Scarborough. This street honors his amazing work as a pioneer in Canadian radio broadcasting.
• On November 27, 2020, he was appointed to the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest honors a Canadian citizen can receive. He was the only Black Canadian to receive this honor in 2020.
• On May 22, 2021, The University of West Indies Toronto Benefit Awards gave him the G. Raymond Chang Award. This award recognized his leadership and commitment to improving communities.
• On October 2, 2021, McGill University honored him with the Macdonald Distinguished Alumni Award. This was for his outstanding contributions to society.
• On June 9, 2022, the University of Toronto gave him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. He told the graduates that "you can do well by doing good."
• On October 17, 2022, the Jamaican government awarded him the Order of Distinction. This is a national honor for his contributions to the Jamaican community living outside Jamaica.
• On June 15, 2023, the University of Guelph also gave him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. They recognized his life of service to Canada, Black communities, and his homeland.