We Are a Non-Profit Organization
Playmas Montreal Cultural Association was established in 2000 by Grenadian-born Gemma Raeburn-Baynes, as a non-profit organization to promote the Caribbean culture and provide a wide range of Caribbean cultural and social development programs to the Black and Caribbean Canadian community. Playmas Montreal acts as a vanguard for showcasing Caribbean cultural and artistic talents.
Gemma and her Organization, Playmas Montreal, have been involved in the Montreal Carnival since the year 2000. The Organization serves to expose the culture of the Caribbean to the population of Montreal and Canada. As several cultural communities participate in the many functions staged by Playmas Montreal, it increases mutual understanding between Montreal’s diverse cultural communities and helps to improve the social climate and quality of life in our city.
In addition, Playmas Montreal Cultural Association works to enhance the quality of life of Caribbean and other seniors by offering programs and events. This will address isolation, anxiety, reduce stigma, elder abuse and ageism. As all seniors are an integral part of our community, Playmas Montreal works to encourage active participation. Playmas Montreal Cultural Association is a support network that provides resources and information to our youth and seniors.
Playmas Montreal is governed by a volunteer executive membership. Membership is open to all individuals who share the mission and vision of the association.
Playmas Montreal was incorporated under the Quebec Charter on October 14, 2004 under Registration No. 1162542931.
About Founder
Gemma Raeburn-Baynes, originally from Grenada, West Indies, has been a foundational figure in Montreal’s Black and Caribbean communities since she arrived in Canada in 1964. In 1973, she made history as a founding member and organizer of Montreal’s first Caribbean carnival, marking the beginning of a rich legacy of Caribbean cultural celebration in the city. Alongside her 35-year career at the Bank of Montreal (BMO), she championed workplace equity initiatives for women and visible minorities.
Gemma’s commitment to youth development led her to establish the Possibilities Youth Internship and Scholarship Program, which supports minority youth in education and career development. As a cultural advocate, she founded several organizations, including the Playmas Montreal Cultural Association, which promotes Caribbean culture through arts, food, and literature. Gemma also established Montreal’s A Taste of the Caribbean Festival and Montreal Ebony Models, raising millions for charities and enriching the city’s cultural landscape.
Through her GemStar Scholarship Fund and Circle of Excellence Program, Gemma continues to support Black youth with scholarships and mentorship opportunities, ensuring their success in education and beyond. Recognized for her community service, Gemma has received several accolades, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women, and the CBC Changemaker Award. Her legacy of diversity, inclusion, and cultural pride has left an indelible mark on Montreal.
We Empower Our Comunity
Playmas Montreal empowers its community by promoting Caribbean culture and supporting Black individuals through various cultural, educational, and social initiatives.
Projects & Events
Scholarships & Bursuries
Awards Given
Volunteers Over 20yrs
Our Mission
To promote the Caribbean culture in Canada and strengthen the cultural and social understandings of present and future generations of Black and Caribbean Canadians.
Working with seniors to foster and promote seniors’ mental, physical, and social well-being through dialogue, inclusiveness and social connections.
Promoting programs to support and promote youth development by providing the opportunity for young people to benefit from the richness that comes with and from seniors.
To support deserving Black youth in achieving their dreams through the power and pursuit of higher education by offering Scholarships and a Mentorship Program with the GemStar Scholarship Fund, along with the GemStar Circle of Excellence, which gives an opportunity to build a network of Black Students of Excellence.
Meet Our Team
Members at Large
Wanda Kagan
Trisha Henry
Kathy St.Paul Ollivierre
Tracy Veilleux
Michelle Yeates