Hon. Nancy J. Hartling: Honourable senators, February is Black History Month in Canada and is celebrated by recognizing the achievements of Black Canadians and their communities, who throughout history have done so much to make Canada a culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation.

Today, I want to pay tribute to an outstanding Black New Brunswicker, Ralph “Tiger” Thomas. From Saint John, New Brunswick, Ralph is a truly remarkable person. He’s a husband, father, grandfather, community activist and educator. His enthusiasm, passion and contributions to Black history have made life richer for many not only here in New Brunswick, but in Canada. He spent his early life in Willow Grove near Saint John attending a one-room school, later attending school in Saint John. He explored what influenced him growing up and shared how several coaches encouraged him in sport. This helped him to find focus in his life. It taught him to cope and go beyond his comfort zone.

He became a professional boxer and was inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. He has been referred to as the godfather of amateur boxing in New Brunswick. He started the Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing Club and co-created the New Brunswick Amateur Boxing Association in Saint John. He spent 33 years promoting and developing this sport in our province. Thomas believed it was a kids’ club, a place youth could go to keep them out of trouble by finding an outlet in boxing.

Sports was not his only accomplishment. One of his major contributions was in developing and coordinating the first Black History Society in New Brunswick, along with being a long-time member of PRUDE — which stands for pride of race, unity and dignity through education — and creating awareness around racism and inequality in our province. Currently, he is the managing director of the first New Brunswick Black cultural history centre founded in Saint John in 2010.

Ralph has been recognized for his qualities as a leader, adviser, negotiator, mentor, role model and motivator. He has received several awards including the human rights award in New Brunswick and the Order of New Brunswick. He was also a recipient of the Inspirational Leader Award in 2021. These are just to name a few.

Although Ralph has been a driving force and an agent of change, he is very humble about his accomplishments because he believes it’s not about “the me” but about “the we” and teamwork. Ralph is a true educator, and he believes change is following examples such as Martin Luther King and working together with courage and conviction. He says equality is our right.

Many Black people have contributed to the fabric of life in New Brunswick. As we celebrate this important month, take the time to discover someone in your community who is of African descent.

Many thanks, Ralph Thomas.