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But in speaking with the mild mannered Best, it quickly becomes clear that despite the continued accolades and growing praise directed at her by admirers, she continues to embody the humble and hard-working personality which she has held since her youth.

For the young Margaret Best, the value of family and community support was a lesson learned through a number of painful and difficult ordeals. When Best was a young girl, her mother passed away, leaving Margaret and her siblings dependent on family ties for their survival. Soon after, Margaret immigrated to the U.S. from the Caribbean with the help of supportive relatives based in North America. For Best, the move to the U.S. came with a few unexpected episodes.

"I went to Detroit, Michigan when I was 13 years old to come and live with my great-uncle," Best laughs. "The day that we landed, it was winter. I had never seen anything like snow before or experienced extreme cold. I remember getting off the plane and seeing the snow all around me. I just stood in awe - it was a huge shock to me. It was like a dream."

Unwilling to allow culture shock to act as a barrier to her success, Best used her access to North American education as an opportunity to play out in life the lessons which she had been taught by her departed mother.

"I came to understand very early on that education is important," Best explains. "Because of that, I've always loved school. From my very early years, I've always understood the need to educate myself."

Today, as one of the most prominent members of Toronto's black community, Best takes her message of empowerment and success to schools across the GTA, hoping to inspire Canada's next generation.

"In terms of speaking with children, I just tell them about my background and life growing up as a poor girl in Jamaica. As well, I talk about going to school as an adult and single mother, raising two children, and then going on to become a Minister of the Crown of the Province of Ontario. I encourage the kids to imagine what they can do. I tell them that 'Canada is your home and there are so many opportunities for you'. Regardless of the limitations that people may place in your way, you must take up the challenge."

Ultimately, Best reveals that it is the important role of community members to act as role models for youth and others in society who may see themselves as 'outside of the system', in order to give all people a vision of the success that they hope to achieve.

"Many people see me as a role model. I feel very fortunate to be a Minister of the Crown of Ontario - it has put me in a position to show people that with hard work, they can accomplish their goals," Best encourages. "I recently went to an event to give a speech and the gentleman who sat next to me was surprised to learn that I was the Minister of Health Promotion because he didn't expect me to be a black woman. So for me, I think this is how I best serve as a role model; I am an example of the success that anybody can achieve in this country."

Jon Sarpong is the Diversity Officer at Durham College and UOIT. He provides independent diversity training and consultation for various organizations. Contact Jon by e-mailing jsarpong@hotmail.com