In collaboration with the BC Black History Awareness Society, Vancouver Whitecaps FC are proud to celebrate Black History Month by highlighting a series of Black trailblazers that helped shape the sporting landscape in British Columbia. A new individual will be recognized every week throughout the month of February across Whitecaps FC social media channels.
Harry Jerome
"Harry Winston Jerome devoted his time to the well-being of children. A remarkable athlete, his renown in athletics tends to overshadow the work he did in other areas of his life. Besides his success in the athletic arena, he was a tireless promoter of sports among young people and is among the small number of Blacks across Canada to receive the Order of Canada. Perhaps some of those his career has inspired will find it easier reaching the top because of Harry Jerome." - BC Black History Awareness Society
Barbara Howard
"Born and raised in Vancouver, Barbara grew up in the Grandview neighborhood with her sister and three brothers; she attended Laura Secord Elementary School, and Britannia High School. It was during high school that she demonstrated her remarkable and unprecedented speed; in 1938 was a member of the Canadian Track Team, representing Canada at the British Empire Games in Sydney Australia. In 1959 she graduated from UBC with a B.Ed, degree. Her teaching career spanned more than 40 years, teaching at Hastings, Henry Hudson, Lord Strathcona and Trafalgar elementary schools." - BC Black History Awareness Society
Joe Fortes
“English Bay became his favourite part of the city and he swam there as often as possible. Initially, he was recognized as the unofficial guardian of English Bay because of the volunteer work he performed in maintaining cleanliness and orderly behaviour on the beach. In 1900, Joe became an official employee of the city and received a monthly salary. As guardian of English Bay beach, his duties included life guarding, swimming instructions and beach patrol as a special constable. He is credited with saving at least 29 lives from drowning, including adults and children, as well as teaching three generations of Vancouver children to swim.” - BC Black History Awareness Society
Doug Hudlin
"Doug Hudlin worked for the City of Victoria but his love was being on the field as an umpire. He umpired generations of Island ball players over four decades. He was known for his empathy toward all the young players. He is quoted as saying "In Little League, you're the umpire and the coach at the same time." He was the first non-American to be invited to umpire the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1967 and in 1974. He also umpired twice at the Senior Little League World Series in Gary, Indiana. Away from the diamond, Doug was a founding director of the B.C. Black History Awareness Society (BCBHAS). His interest and enthusiasm for the Society's work was largely inspired by the fact that he is the grandson of the earliest Black pioneers, Nancy and Charles Alexander, who arrived in Victoria in 1858 and who started a farm in what is now a suburb of Saanich." - BC Black History Awareness Society
