Who is Bernice Yvonne Carnegie
Bernice Carnegie is a Canadian author, community leader, and speaker who has dedicated over four decades to education and social justice. Born in 1945 in North York, Bernice is the daughter of legendary hockey player and community builder Herbert Carnegie and Audrey Redmon. Her heritage is rooted in a pioneering spirit; her mother’s family first arrived in Canada from the United States in 1913. She was even named after her aunt, Bernice Isobel Carnegie Redmon, who made history as Canada’s first Black public health nurse.
From Pain to Philosophy: The Future Aces
Bernice’s father, Herb, was widely considered the best Black hockey player to never play in the NHL, barred solely by the racist “colour barrier” of the era. Rather than letting that exclusion breed bitterness, Bernice worked alongside her father to transform that adversity into a tool for fostering inclusive, caring communities.
Together they co-founded the Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation. At its core is the Future Aces Creed: “being a good person with feeling in your heart”. Bernice expanded this into a comprehensive character-building program using the acronym ACES: Attitude, Courage, Empathy, and Service. This philosophy empowers youth to overcome unfair treatment through positive choices and self-empowerment.
Inspiring Personal Resilience
A beautiful commonality between Black and Indigenous cultures is the profound importance of storytelling. Bernice stood by her father’s side at school assemblies across the Greater Toronto Area as he told his story of being a “fly in a pail of milk” – the lone Black person in a sea of white. This analogy became a respected tool for anti-bullying and anti-racism, teaching younger generations the vital importance of fair play and good citizenship.
A Lasting Legacy
Bernice continues to tackle barriers with a modern, strategic approach. In 2021, she co-founded The Carnegie Initiative, focusing on making hockey more accessible, inclusive, and diverse. By tackling the culture of Canada’s favourite sport, Bernice isn’t just building future stars on the ice; she is changing the public image of what being “Canadian” truly means through teamwork and community.
The Canadian Mosaic
Bernice’s work proves that Black history is Canadian history. By documenting her grandparents’ arrival in 1913, she shows just how deep-rooted and resilient Black history is in our country. There is a persistent, false idea that different ethnicities have no place in Canada because “there is no history” there. Bernice shatters this cloud, inviting us to relish in our special mosaic of cultures and move forward with an ironclad pride that strengthens our country tenfold.
Love in Action
Bernice Carnegie is the literal embodiment oh “Love in Action”. She has taken adversity and turned it into fuel to change the world. Beyond her own work, she encourages all of us to document our own family’s oral histories.
Why document your history orally? Love. Why connect future generations with your family’s journey? Love. By partaking in these activities, you are providing the Action.
Call to Action
A family’s flame isn’t just kept alive by living; it’s kept alive through the things you say, the things you do, and the things you act on. By showing up for those who need us and being active participants in our society, we make a lasting impact.
So, how are you keeping your family’s flame alive?
Check out the mini-blogs to compliment this post:
How to document your family’s oral history.
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