Harry Jerome's daughter wants famed sprinter's name removed from embattled charity's awards

The daughter of renowned Canadian sprinter Harry Jerome wants his name and likeness removed from a Toronto charity's annual awards — which are this weekend — until it is cleared of alleged financial mismanagement.

Debbie Smith, 61, sent a cease-and-desist letter through her lawyer last week after learning about the alleged misappropriation of funds at the non-profit Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA). This year's Harry Jerome Awards, which celebrate achievement in Canada's Black community, are set to take place on Saturday.

The allegations are "putting a black cloud over my dad's name, which to me is unacceptable," Smith told CBC Toronto. 

"That breaks my heart."

Jerome became the fastest man in the world in July 1960 when he set a 100-metre world record in Saskatoon. Despite facing racism throughout his life and career, Jerome went on to set six more world records, winning bronze in the 100-metre at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and gold at both the 1966 British Empire Games and 1967 Pan American Games.

He died in 1982 from a brain aneurysm at 42. Smith was a teenager and said, soon after, she was approached by prominent members of the community about honouring her father by naming an award after him. The BBPA was founded the following year, to address equity and opportunity for the Black community. 

"I've never made a dime off my father's name," Smith said. 

"I've always used it, and let people use it, in good faith. This was a good faith handshake 42 years ago with an organization."

Smith says the BBPA has not responded to her letter.

In it, she demands the organization stop using Jerome's name and likeness in general and in connection to the awards until it has "addressed and rectified any and all proven