Harold Usher, P.Eng.

Harold Usher, P.Eng., has worked tirelessly to bring equity and fairness to civic government and within his community to improve the lives of others.

Usher was President of the London Diversity and Race Relations Advisory Committee until his election as a London City Councillor in 2000, the first and only person of African/Caribbean ancestry on the Council. He has been re-elected twice since, in 2003 and 2006.

He has worked for nearly a decade with the London Black History Coordinating Committee, which stages a program each February showcasing the talents of Black artists, to close out Black History Month.

An immigrant to Canada from Belize, Usher has seen the challenges newcomers face in entering the Canadian workforce. To ensure their representation in labour market initiatives, he became involved with the Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford Local Training Board.

In 1992, he received the Canada 125th Commemorative Medal from the Governor General for service to his community, his country and Canadians.

He served as a Director of Toastmasters International, an organization that helps people hone their communication and leadership skills, and three times achieved their Distinguished Toastmaster designation, its highest honour, as well as their International President’s Citation for his dedication to the organization's objectives.

A prostate cancer survivor, Usher recently wrote and published a book about his experience to provide hope and understanding to others.