BRAMPTON, ON (July 11, 2022) – The City of Brampton is proud to announce that music industry pioneer and trailblazer of Afro-Caribbean cultural achievement, Denise Jones, will be honoured posthumously as the next inductee to the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame.
This year, the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame induction ceremony will take place at 8 pm on Sunday, July 31 in Garden Square at JAMBANA: One World Festival, which celebrates the sights, sounds and tastes of Canada’s diversity. The festival represents Canada’s African and Caribbean communities through performances by internationally acclaimed bands, artists and JUNO Award winners.

Denise Jones spent her life championing Afro-Caribbean culture in Canada and around the world through her company, Jones & Jones Productions, Canada’s first black-led talent and management agency. Jones was a champion for Black creators, entertainers and artists, particularly Reggae music, in all forms and was the founding Chair of the Reggae Category for the JUNO Awards. Among her many accomplishments, Jones established the second largest Afrocentric cultural event in Canada, JAMBANA: One World Festival, which at its height drew over 45,000 attendees and was named one of Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals.

Since 2014, the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame has been one of the City of Brampton’s key recognition programs, celebrating and building connections with the extraordinary artistic and creative talent emerging from the city, while inspiring the next generation of artists and creators. The Brampton Arts Walk of Fame currently features 21 inductees including Russel Peters, Michael Cera, Rupi Kaur, Director X, Zarqa Nawaz, Othalie Graham, Trey Anthony and more.

JAMBANA: One World Festival will take place from 1 to 9 pm, with the induction ceremony occurring at 8 pm on July 31. Admission is free. Residents can learn more about the event at jambana.com.

For more information on the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame visit brampton.ca/artswalkoffame.

Quotes

“Denise Jones was a long-time Brampton resident and one of the most influential change-makers in the world of Canadian music, dedicating her life and career to championing reggae, Black entertainment and Jamaican Canadian culture, and being a fierce advocate for Black and Caribbean arts. It is an honour to recognize Denise as the 2022 Brampton Arts Walk of Fame inductee, and we thank her for contributing to Brampton’s Mosaic and changing the landscape of music.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

“Brampton’s artists and creators make a great impact on our city and local culture by sharing their passion and experiences, and the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame provides us with the opportunity to recognize them. We honour Denise Jones for breaking down barriers in the music industry, and thank her family for accepting the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame award on her behalf. Her legacy will live on.”
- Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5; Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton

“The Brampton Arts Walk of Fame program allows the City the opportunity to recognize the achievements of local artists, and celebrates our local culture, creativity and diversity. Brampton is full of outstanding talent, and we are honoured to recognize accomplished trailblazers and artists like Denise Jones who have called our city home.”
- Paul Morrison, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton

“On behalf of the Jones family, I just want to say a big thank you to the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame for this recognition. It really means a lot to us, and we are so proud to accept this award on behalf of my Mom. We hope everyone can join us at JAMBANA as we celebrate her life and our nation's diversity."
- Jerimi Jones

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