Who is Herb Carnegie?

Herbert H. Carnegie, C.M., O.Ont., O.M.C., LL.D. (Hon) is the creator of the Future Aces™ Creed.  For more than 50 years, his primary objective has been to promote the use of Future Aces™ in elementary and secondary schools as the basis for positive initiatives utilized by teachers as an integral part of societal and citizenship education for students.

A family man, Mr. Carnegie was born in Toronto in 1919.  He was married to Audrey May Carnegie in 1940 and had a loving partnership that lasted 63 years until her death in 2003.  They had three daughters and a son, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Herb Carnegie says that “Future Aces is my greatest victory!”

A star hockey player ...  In the 1940’s, Herbert Carnegie became a star hockey player with the Quebec Aces in the Quebec Senior Hockey League.  He played with Jean Beliveau, who went on to have a distinguished career as centre for the Montreal Canadiens, and was coached by the late Punch Imlach, who later became coach and manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Earlier, as a semi-professional player with the Sherbrooke Saints, Mr. Carnegie was three times voted the most valuable player on his team.  His ambition was to make it into the National Hockey League.

Denied his chance ...  This ambition, however, was not to be fulfilled.  In the 1940’s and 50’s, it was uncommon for a black man to set his sights on a professional hockey career.  Although the media and his fellow players recognized his great talents in the sport, the unwritten code of the time denied Mr. Carnegie a try-out in the NHL because of his race.

Dealing with disappointment ...  Undaunted by this setback, Mr. Carnegie redirected his energies.  He had a successful career in business as a Senior Accounts Executive and Qualified Financial Planner.  He was a member of The Millionaires Club with Investors Group for 24 consecutive years in addition to being on the Wall of Fame.  Investors Group has honoured him by establishing the Herbert H. Carnegie Community Service Award.  This award is presented annually to a consultant who excels in his career in addition to making an extraordinary contribution to society.

Golfing successes ...  Mr. Carnegie was a successful amateur golfer.  He was:

·        CANADIAN SENIORS CHAMPION in 1977 and 1978;

·        ONTARIO SENIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS in 1975 and 1976;

·        ONTARIO SENIOR CHAMPION in 1982;

·        a member of the ONTARIO SENIOR GOLF TEAM CHAMPIONS OF CANADA four times between 1977 and 1982;

·        with his daughter, Rochelle, the ONTARIO FATHER/DAUGHTER CHAMPION in 1966;

·        made and an honorary member of the Summit Golf and Country Club in Richmond Hill in 1994 and is on the Wall of Fame.

A vision for the future ...  Impressive as these achievements are, Mr. Carnegie deserves our attention even more for his volunteer work which spans most of his working life.  In the 1950’s, he became deeply involved as a hockey coach to a group of youngsters in North York .  He founded the ‘ Future Aces Hockey School ’, one of the first hockey schools in Canada , where he stressed the importance of skill development, team play, and cooperation, as opposed to the aggressive, win-at-any-cost attitude so prevalent in the sport.  Mr. Carnegie regarded his young protégés as ‘ACES’ (winners) of the future.  Wanting to leave the boys with more than a love for the sport, he wrote the Future Aces™ Creed in 1956.  He had a vision: develop a positive self-concept and the doors would open to a richer, fuller life for everyone.

A force for good ...  Several years later, Mr. Carnegie decided to adapt the creed for wider use.  As a black person living in a predominantly white society, Mr. Carnegie was well aware of the need to combat racial prejudice. He felt that the creed, if widely distributed, could be a positive force for good in the community, and most important, help Canadians in all walks of life to remember that hatred and intolerance can breed bitterness and social strife.

The Future Aces Foundation ...  Stimulated by the success of Future Aces™ in schools, Mr. Carnegie established the Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation in 1987.  The Foundation is a non-profit, registered, charitable organization whose aim is to assist young people to go to college or university.  Since 1988, more than $370,000 has been awarded in scholarships to students from all across Canada who have displayed exemplary citizenship qualities.

Public recognition ...  In recognition of his contribution to Ontario society, Mr. Carnegie received the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship in 1988 and the Order of Ontario in 1996 for his humanitarian work in the community. 

He has eight Hall of Fame Awards to his name and in November, 2001 was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.  Another Hall of Fame award recognizes his 32-year career as an Account Executive with Investors Group, which has been the Foundation’s major corporate financial partner supporting the Foundation’s youth projects. 

The Harmony Movement, in November, 2001, honoured Mr. Carnegie with their Harmony Award for ‘valuing differences and enhancing positive life skills with youth.’

Toronto Parks and Recreation highlights him on their fifth poster series of Contributions of African Canadians in 1998.   While the official Black History Poster for 2003 also recognizes his commitment to encouraging positive life-style changes for youth.

In May 2001, the Toronto Parks and Recreation renamed the recreation centre at 589 Finch Avenue West the Herbert H. Carnegie Centennial Centre.  This honour by the City of Toronto will be a lasting tribute to Mr. Carnegie’s many contributions to the community. 

The Black Business and Professional Association honoured Mr. Carnegie with the Harry Jerome President’s Award in April 2002 for his community leadership in sharing his vision of how people can live in harmony. 

May 2004 saw Mr. Carnegie at Ottawa at Rideau Hall receiving Canada ’s highest civilian medal – The Order of Canada. 

The York Regional Police and Investors Group created a Herbert H. Carnegie Community Service Award to be given annually to representatives from their ranks who display outstanding community initiatives.  In April 2005, Mr. Carnegie was overwhelmed to be recognized by York Regional Police with the appointment of Honorary Chief of Police. 

Jewish Women International of Toronto commissioned the Herbert Carnegie – Doll for Democracy in 2005.  Through the medium of 12-inch dolls, this program teaches elementary school children about diversity and differences.  It is designed to highlight some of the outstanding contributions of men and women of all races, colours, religions and social classes who through their tenacity of purpose and concern for humanity have benefited society.

In June 2006, York University bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree on Herb Carnegie recognizing the 50 years of service he has provided in enriching the lives of youth and adults.

The Canadian Urban Institute presented Dr. Carnegie with an Urban Leadership Award in the Local Hero category in June 2007.  The program for the event stated that 'Courage, sportsmanship and community service have defined Herb Carnegie's life.  His legacy will be that he has shown us how powerful we can be when we care for each other.'

There can be no doubt, then, that Dr. Carnegie is a true Future Ace himself.  He draws out the best in others and opens minds through his message and his own positive example.  He has left a legacy that will never be forgotten.