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11 stars added to Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto

The 11 inductees are part of the Class of 2020 and 2021 and received their stars today on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. (Courtesy: Esteban Lombanao)

Eleven stars were added to Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto’s Entertainment District on Friday.

A special ceremony for the newly minted sidewalk stars was held this morning.

The inductees are part of the Class of 2020 and 2021. The inductees who attended today’s ceremony include entrepreneur Ajay Virmani, professional wrestler Bret “Hitman” Hart, actor Graham Greene and Toronto R&B singer Jully Black.

Jully Black. (Courtesy: Esteban Lombanao)

Black said she was “at a loss for words” and very emotional receiving her star today. 

“I think about my mom. I’m happy to be here with my niece and nephew. My sister Sharon passed when I was 12 and left these babies that were one and two years old…and for them to be here to hold my hand through it, I raised them, it’s unreal. That means more than the star to have them here,” she told Now Toronto. 

Canada’s first lady of blues, the late Salome Bey, also received a star today and her daughters SATE and Tuku were on hand for the celebration. 

“She would just be very very humble, very gracious and probably sing a song much like Jully, do a little dance, you know. Bring people in, remind people that this is something they can achieve as well,” SATE said.

Salome Bey’s daughters SATE and Tuku. (Courtesy: Esteban Lombanao)

The team, consisting of Frederick Banting, Charles Best, John Macleod and James Collip, that saved 300 million lives and counting with its discovery of insulin also received a star today. Bob Banting, Frederick Banting’s great nephew, along with Margaret and Charley Best, grandchildren of Charles Best, attended the unveiling today.

READ MORE: ‘Degrassi’ among this year’s inductees to Canada’s Walk of Fame

Canada’s Walk of Fame also unveiled the stars for inductees Allan Slaight, Bruce Cockburn, Damian Warner, Keanu Reeves and Senator Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire.

Today’s ceremony was also in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Canada’s Walk of Fame. More than 200 stars have been added along King street and Simcoe Street in Toronto since the tradition began in 1998. 

In 2018, Canada’s Walk of Fame expanded its star unveilings across the country with the launch of the Hometown Stars Initiative, providing inductees an opportunity to celebrate their induction with a free public celebration in their hometown.

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