Visit my website to register for this event and see the plaques in person. 
What: Henry "Box" Brown, North Star Way, Cy McLean Heritage Plaque Unveilings
When: February 2, 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Where: Inglebook Community School (19 Sackville Street)
Visit my website to register for this event and see the plaques in person. Brief biographies follow below.
Henry "Box" Brown
Henry Brown, an enslaved man from Louisa County, Virginia, lived from 1815 to 1897. In 1849, he courageously escaped the chains of southern slavery by nailing himself into a shipping crate, ultimately finding safety in Philadelphia. From there, he made his way to Toronto, Ontario, to share his remarkable story.
Following his emancipation in Toronto, Brown dedicated himself to educating people about the injustices of slavery. His autobiography and the accounts of those who knew him served as powerful tools in achieving this mission. While in Canada, Henry Brown supported himself as a magician and performer. In 1887, "The Brown Family" participated in a benefit concert at St. Lawrence Hall, contributing to the community while residing on Bright Street in Corktown. The plaque will placed near a laneway in Corktown that was renamed in 2024 to commemorate Henry Brown.
Cy McLean
One of Toronto’s first black bandleaders, Cyril (Cy) McLean was a Canadian pianist whose career spanned several decades from 1940s to the 1970s. He is particularly notable as having led Canada’s only full-scale Black orchestra in the 1940s.
McLean was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, the son of an immigrant West Indian steelworker. He took violin lessons until his brother taught him enough piano that he was able to land a job with a visiting band. When the band left town, Cy went with them.
During World War II, McLean and seven other musicians toured southern Ontario supported by Lifebuoy Soap. The band were sometimes barred from performing in segregated restaurants and were denied entry into the musicians’ union. In 1947, McLean’s quartet opened the new Colonial Tavern at 201 Yonge Street. The landmark show helped end restrictions that prevented many Black musicians performing at bars and clubs in Toronto.
An influence on many musicians facing racial barriers, McLean later moved to the Corsair, and later to the El Mocambo. He ended his career at the Warwick Hotel at Dundas and Jarvis Streets. The plaque will be placed near 201 Yonge Street, the former location of the Colonial Tavern where Cy McLean played.
North Star Way
The North Star, often referred to as Polaris, served as a guiding light for navigation, aiding travellers in determining direction. Known as the "Going Home Star," this celestial marker played a crucial role during the Civil War and holds significance in various stories and publications. Additionally, the North Star and its symbol carry cultural importance for both indigenous and non-indigenous communities across Canada. To the First Nations Cree people, the North Star signifies "The one that never moves," embodying the resilience of Indigenous community spirit. The plaque will placed near a laneway in Corktown that was renamed in 2024 to commemorate the North Star Way.
