WNBA Superstar Kia Nurse to Receive 2023 Legacy Athlete Award at The Legacy Awards, Live September 24 on CBC and CBC Gem
Performers include Jully Black, LU KALA, Jackie Richardson & Thompson Egbo-Egbo, Taaylee G, Tamir, YSN Fab, and Zach Zoya
Fan choice voting for digital content creators closes on September 22
Tickets on sale now at Ticketmaster
TORONTO, September 18, 2023 – Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, alongside Insight Productions, and CBC, today announced that WNBA superstar Kia Nurse is receiving the 2023 Legacy Athlete Award. Nurse joins previously announced 2023 Legacy Award honourees Jully Black, LU KALA, Julien Christian Lutz (pka Director X), and Tonya Williams. This year’s performers include Jackie Richardson & Thompson Egbo-Egbo in a very special tribute to legendary virtuoso and Order of Canada recipient Oscar Peterson; Taaylee G, Tamir, YSN Fab, and Zach Zoya in a salute to “Northern Touch”; Jully Black; and LU KALA. A limited number of tickets are available to the general public by visiting Ticketmaster; tickets are $120. Multi-talented Keshia Chanté hosts the live 90-minute event, from Live Nation Canada’s HISTORY in Toronto, featuring performances, award presentations, and tributes honouring Black Canadian talent. The Legacy Awards will broadcast and stream live on CBC and CBC Gem on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. AT/9:30 p.m. NT).
Kia Nurse – 2023 Legacy Athlete Award
For her awe-inspiring skills, versatility, and resilience on the court, and for her exceptional integrity, values, and character, Kia Nurse will receive the 2023 Legacy Athlete Award.
Kia Nurse represented Canada at the Olympic Games in 2016 and 2020, is a Pan American Games Gold Medallist, a two-time FIBA Women’s AmeriCup Gold Medallist, a WNBA All Star starter, a two-time WNBL Champion, and the 2020 WNBL MVP. She remains a staple of the Canadian National Women’s program, having made her first appearance at age 16. Off the court, Nurse provides basketball analysis for TSN and founded the Kia Nurse Elite and the Kia Nurse Academy which provide basketball opportunities to young women. She’s a vocal advocate for women’s sports and marginalized communities. Nurse currently plays for the Seattle Storm, and is from Hamilton, Ontario.
In recognition of Oscar Peterson’s indelible contribution to jazz, his community, and his country, and in celebration of his composition “Hymn to Freedom”, legends Jackie Richardson and Thompson EgboEgbo will perform the iconic civil rights anthem.
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Rascalz’ (featuring Kardinall Offishall, Thrust, Choclair, & Checkmate) song “Northern Touch” and the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, “Northern Touch” will be performed by the next generation of Canadian hip-hop stars Taaylee G, Tamir, YSN Fab, and Zach Zoya.
Voting for The Legacy Awards’ Digital Creator Fan Choice Award closes Friday, September 22. The Digital Creator Fan Choice Award allows fans to choose their favourite Black-identifying Canadian digital content creators. The winner is announced during The Legacy Awards on September 24 on CBC and CBC Gem. This year’s nominees are: Khadija Mbowe (Calgary); Monique Smith (Hamilton); Basement Gang (Toronto); Trésor (Toronto); Afoali (Montréal); and TAI (Montréal). Visit vote.blackacademy.ca for more details.
The Legacy Awards is executive produced by Shamier Anderson and Stephan James of The Black Academy and Bay Mills Studios. John Brunton, Lindsay Cox, and Shannon Farr are the executive producers for Insight Productions (a Boat Rocker company). Jordan Rudder is the producer/talent producer and André Williamson is the line producer. Daniel Abrams also serves as EP. For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports; Jennifer Dettman is Executive Director, Unscripted Content; and Nic Meloney is Executive in Charge of Production, Unscripted Content. The 2023 edition of The Legacy Awards marks the second of an exclusive three-year partnership with CBC. The Black Academy, Insight Productions, and CBC are committed to hiring Black senior staff and crew members for The Legacy Awards.