Skip to content

Image: Name, Title, Description

Digital Exhibitions → Derailed: The History of Black Railway Porters in Canada → Theme: Notable Porters

Stanley Grizzle

This dramatic monologue portrays Stanley Grizzle, a porter, activist, politician, and citizenship judge who reflects on his accomplishments and looks to the future.
It’s performed by Daniel Jelani Ellis.

After World War II, Toronto native Stanley Grizzle emerged as the leader of the Toronto chapter of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) . He became the key spokesman for the porters on an array of social, political and economic issues. Grizzle was a strong proponent of the notion that all humanity formed a brotherhood or fraternity—with all members of humanity deserving the same dignity and equality. Grizzle was one of the two members of the 1954 delegation sent by porters to Ottawa to speak directly to the government on the need for Canada to change its racist social policies.

Stanley Grizzle: My Name’s Not George: The Story of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters: Personal Reminiscences of Stanley G. Grizzle. Courtesy of Latanya, Sonya and Stanley Grizzle Jr.

 

Stanley Grizzle’s name tag as a porter. He was elected president of the Toronto CPR division of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in 1946. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Courtesy of Latanya, Sonya and Stanley Grizzle Jr.

 

Explore More

Derailed: The History of Black Railway Porters in Canada

All aboard! This multimedia digital exhibition produced by Museum of Toronto in collaboration with author/scholar Cecil Foster.

The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters

Who were the driving forces behind the social and political change led by the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters? Learn about the historical background and significance of this post-war movement.

Notable Porters

This dramatic monologue portrays Stanley Grizzle, a Porter, activist, politician, and citizenship judge who reflects on his accomplishments and looks to the future. Performed by Daniel Jelani Ellis.

Share this Article

Facebook Linkedin Share-alt

Explore More
Content

Derailed: The History of Black Railway Porters in Canada

All aboard! This multimedia digital exhibition produced by Museum of Toronto in collaboration with author/scholar Cecil Foster.

1851: Spirit and Voice

A theatrical revisiting of the 1851 North American Convention of Colored Freemen.