Barry Howson

Barry Howson, born on June seventeenth, nineteen thirty-nine, is a distinguished Canadian basketball player who made history as the first Black Canadian member of Canada's Olympic basketball team. His journey began in London, Ontario, where he attended Sir Adam Beck Secondary School. There, he showcased his talent on the basketball court, leading his school team to victory in the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations provincial basketball championship in nineteen fifty-seven.

After high school, Howson continued to hone his skills at the University of Western Ontario, where he played basketball at the university level. His dedication and talent culminated in his selection for the Toronto Dow Kings, the team that represented Canada at the nineteen sixty-four Summer Olympics in Tokyo. This achievement marked a significant milestone in Canadian sports history, although it went largely unrecognized for many years.

Born to Frank Howson and Christine DeGroat Jenkins, Barry was part of a notable family. His mother was the publisher of The Dawn of Tomorrow, an influential early Black Canadian community newspaper founded by her first husband, James Jenkins. Additionally, he is the half-brother of Kay Livingstone, a prominent broadcaster and activist.

After his Olympic experience, Howson pursued further education, earning a master's degree in education from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He transitioned into a fulfilling career as a high school teacher and athletics coach in Sarnia, where he inspired countless students.

For many years, Howson's pioneering role as a Black athlete was overlooked, with Canada Basketball mistakenly attributing the title of the first Black Canadian Olympic basketball player to someone else. However, in February twenty twenty-four, this oversight was corrected, and Howson was honored with a trophy and a special framed Olympic jersey, finally receiving the recognition he rightfully deserves.