Profiles in Black History is a project of our Justice Works Anti-Racism Team. A new profile will be spotlighted every day during Black History Month.
Herb Carnegie (1919-2012)
Herb Carnegie
“Born in Toronto in 1919, Herbert Henry “Herb” Carnegie was the fifth of seven children born to George and Adina Carnegie, who had immigrated to Canada from Jamaica. In Willowdale, a suburb of Toronto, both Herb and his brother Oswald fell in love with the game of hockey … Despite Carnegie’s talent and prowess on the ice, segregation practices kept him from achieving [his] dream [of playing in the NHL]. Carnegie proved himself on semi pro hockey teams, winning championships and receiving MVP awards and scoring titles … In 1948, after a stellar season, the New York Rangers showed an interest in Carnegie and made three contract offers to have him join their farm club. The salary in each of the offers was less than he was already making, and Carnegie turned them down. His daughter Bernice said, “Father’s heart was with his family, and his responsibility was to us. … He never once said he was sorry that he chose family over hockey.” Though Carnegie was denied the opportunity to fulfill his dream, he continued to contribute to the sport that he loved. In 1955 he founded Future Aces Hockey School, the first registered hockey school in Canada. In 1987, with his wife Audrey and daughter Bernice, he established the Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation.”
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Source: “A Journey Into 365 Days of Black History 2020 Calendar;” Pomegranate Communications, Inc and IOKTS Productions.
Rebecca Riley is a writer and filmmaker who lives in North County San Diego.