Founder
Dr. Grant Morris, ORB
(Order of the Republic of Barbados)
Dip. Bldg & Eng.Tech.,
B.A., M.Ed., Hon. LLD
Founder
Childhood Caribbean Roots
Grant Morris was born and raised in Barbados, an island in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies in the Caribbean Region of North America. Grant's journey in community service and appreciation for education began by observing his father, a school principal, provide secondary school tuition and clothing to underprivileged children who later became doctors, lawyers, and leaders in society. Grant lives by the creed that "the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations and that service to humanity is the best work of life”.
Canadian Immigrant Story
Grant immigrated to Canada to pursue post-secondary education in the 1960s. Having earned both a bachelor's degree in Urban Studies from York University and a master's degree in education from the University of Toronto, Grant joined the Ontario Ministry of Housing, Treasury Economic and Intergovernmental Affairs where he worked for 18 years as a Planner and then Senior Planner. Grant left his government position to launch a successful private practice as a Planning and Development Consultant and he has helped develop over $20 million in real estate projects in Ontario's Durham region. His deep planning experience was recognized when he was appointed to the Ontario Municipal Board as a Tribunal Judge. In his eighties, Grant continues to run his consulting business and is equally dedicated to helping youth realize their university dreams as others willingly did for him.
For many years, Grant has been heavily involved in community work. In Barbados, as Chair of the Awards Commission of the Barbados Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees); in Canada, President of the West Indies Federation Club (WIF),Chair of the Caribfest '82; Secretary Treasurer of the Caribbean Canadian Initiative Group; Chair of the Caribbean Islands Association; Vice Chair of the Barbados Ball and the Barbados Independence Celebration; Director of the Harrison/Queen's College Alumni Association; Chair of the Caribbean Event and Chair of the Grant Morris Foundation.
Grant has received many awards for his community service including the Unsung Hero Award of the Barbados Charity Ball; the Harry Jerome Award; the Pride of Barbados Award; Barbadian Model of Excellence, Barbados Charity ball; African Canadian Achievement Award of Excellence and the prestigious Honorary of Doctor of Laws confirmed by the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and in 2023, the Order of the Republic of Barbados. Grant is quick to acknowledge that these awards equally belong to the members of the Caribbean Event/The Grant Morris Foundation and others who supported his vision of giving back to the community whether in Barbados, the Caribbean or Canada.