By Nea Maaty
(Nea is a Civic journalist at Focus Media Arts Centre).

In celebration of Black history month, The Corner in partnership with St. James Town TV, is interviewing inspiring leaders from St. James Town whose circumstances, struggles, and challenges are ones that most of us may be familiar with.  In these interviews these leaders have been generous with their times and have opened their hearts by and sharing their stories and experiences with the community. In this article we are going to talk about a woman we are proud of who came out of our community in St. James town. Her name is Marci Ien.

Black History Month is an annual observance during February every year to celebrate and appreciate African History and the histories of Peoples of African descent here in North America. It began in 1926 as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of African Americans. February was chosen because it coincides with the birthdays of two important figures in African American history that black communities had celebrated since the late 19th century; that of President Abraham Lincoln who issued the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all people held as slaves, whose birthday was on February 12, and of abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass, whose birthday was on February 20.

Marci Ien is a Canadian politician serving as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Toronto Centre.

Ien had a long experience with broadcasting and media. She was a broadcast journalist for CTV. She co-hosted the CTV daytime talk show The Social from 2017 until 2020. She was also a reporter for CTV News and a co-anchor on the CTV morning program Canada AM.

In the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, Marci covered the protests in the streets and was the only Black panelist on her talk show.

Marci used that opportunity to share her experiences and talk about Anti-Black racism and inclusivity.  Referring to the video footage, " When I saw of George Floyd laying down there: I saw my own father, or uncles, or family members." said Marci. Ien talked about traumas that usually stick around People of Colour for years. Using the term "Macroaggressions" the show inspired her to talk about things that happened to her and to other Black people she knows. The struggles a black person would face to keep a job and to go through their daily life.

When she started speaking, her message got immediately delivered. She received many supportive messages telling her: " You're not talking for your benefit: you are talking for our benefit. " said Marci.

Ien joined the Liberal Party and on September 17, 2020, and when the riding opened up in Toronto Centre, she was announced as a candidate.  She won the by-election on October 26, 2020.

Having once lived in the community, Marci holds a particular affinity to St. James Town.

St. James Town is an inspiration to Ien.  The spirit and diversity of the community helped formed her vision of how she can serve her community.

"It's all about service. After 30 years of serving in journalism, I wanted to serve in a different way." said the MP.

Ien has a wonderful history of activism on social issues.  In 2008, she was the recipient of the Black Business and Professional Association Harry Jerome Award in the media category. Then she was granted the Planet Africa Award for excellence in media in 2014. After one year she garnered a Canadian Screen Award nomination in the Best Host category for her work on Canada AM. In 2016, she was honoured with an African Canadian Achievement Award for her journalistic achievements.

Marci Ien is an inspiring example of leaders in St. James Town. Her persistence, energy, and belief, informs her giving and passion to serve her community.