The buzz on Eglinton West was impossible to miss on Monday, August 11th, 2025. Community members, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders gathered at Studio M, 1672 Eglinton Avenue West, for the launch of the Little Jamaica Business Initiative. The event, hosted by the Canadian Reggae Music Association (CRMA), was a lifeline.
According to the CRMA’s press release, the Initiative aims to bring hundreds of new customers into the Little Jamaica community to support Black-owned businesses from August 11th to 17th.” Alongside the launch came the unveiling of a mural honouring the 32nd anniversary of Rasta Fest, a reminder that culture and commerce in Little Jamaica have always gone hand in hand.
Much of the evening’s energy circled back to land, ownership, and the fight against gentrification. Urban planner Jay Pitter’s advocacy and the Little Jamaica Community Land Trust (LJCLT) have kept pressure on the city to protect the neighbourhood’s Black-owned businesses.
Founded in 2019, the LJCLT became the first Black-led land trust in Canada. Its mandate is bold, “To ensure the survival of Black-owned businesses on Eglinton, protect affordability, and give community members the power to shape their future.
Coordinator Anyika Mark reminded the audience why this mission matters. Despite construction delays from the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and waves of commercial displacement, she has worked relentlessly to preserve local culture. “Land ownership is not an option, it’s survival,” she told the crowd.
About 20 people stood outside the venue to watch the mural unveiling. Among them were long-time residents, property owners, and local business operators. They swapped stories of struggle and resilience.
Mike Colle recalled seeing legendary reggae artists perform in Little Jamaica and emphasized how festivals like Rasta Fest pass on that cultural legacy. Ms. Diana, a property owner, pointed to the community’s role in shaping Toronto’s identity. Others stressed the urgent need to secure ownership before developers erase decades of history.
Local business owners spoke candidly about the damage already done. Jayson, owner of Casual Beauty Salon at 1572 Eglinton West, called the disruption from construction a “crisis,” noting his staff shrank from seven to five. Another entrepreneur, Abi, shared that she is still paying off debts from the losses that forced her business to close.
The numbers back them up. As journalist David Piedra reported for The Green Line, more than 140 Black-owned businesses have shut their doors since LRT construction began in 2011. Many had thrived for decades but couldn’t survive the upheaval.
The launch also highlighted the ongoing work of Black Urbanism Toronto (BUTO), the nonprofit that helped create the LJCLT. BUTO’s mission is straightforward: keep Black residents in their neighbourhood through shared ownership. Without it, Little Jamaica risks becoming a memory.
Dr. Jill Andrew, a long-time advocate for Black businesses, underscored this urgency. She reminded the crowd that Premier Doug Ford’s government has overlooked the community’s needs for far too long. “This is about more than survival,” she said. “It’s about dignity, respect, and the right to stay.”
The Little Jamaica Business Initiative may have launched with art and applause, but the event was far from symbolic. It was a call to action. Every speaker, from business owners to civic leaders, made it clear: preserving Little Jamaica requires more than support for a week-long initiative. It demands sustained investment, community ownership, and political accountability.
For now, the mural stands as both tribute and warning. It honours the: artists, entrepreneurs, and elders who built this community, and reminds everyone that without protection, Little Jamaica could fade into Toronto’s past.
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