For many, personal history unfolds gradually, but for Marcia Alderson, a successful real estate broker, a pivotal revelation in her 20s fundamentally reshaped her understanding of her family’s past and the societal landscape of Canada. It was then that she discovered the immense courage and strength of her mother, Yvonne, and, to her profound surprise, came face-to-face with the stark reality of racism existing within the nation she called home.
Alderson, a distinguished broker with Keleher + Co., Royal LePage RCR Realty in Collingwood, Ontario, describes herself as a “beige” child, born of a resilient Black Jamaican nurse and a compassionate Caucasian father. She recounts a childhood in Toronto that, remarkably, was largely untouched by and unaware of racial prejudice. This sheltered upbringing was shattered one night when her mother shared a story that would forever alter Marcia’s perspective and ignite a passion for advocacy.
Queen M, from left: Marcia Alderson (vocals), Kyle Dreany (bass guitar), Bam528 (percussion), and Craig Smith (lead guitar).
Unveiling a Legacy: Marcia Alderson’s Journey Through Music and Advocacy
Today, Marcia Alderson is a vibrant storyteller, committed to sharing her mother’s inspiring tale whenever the opportunity arises. Whether addressing crowds with a megaphone at a Black Lives Matter gathering, or more recently, channeling her voice through the power of music, Marcia ensures that Yvonne’s legacy resonates. Her band, QueenM, recently unveiled its inaugural original song, Colour of Her Skin, a powerful tribute and a compelling narrative set to melody.
This deeply personal song, marking Alderson’s first venture into songwriting, chronicles the extraordinary journey of her mother, Yvonne, during the 1950s. At a time when she was eager to establish her roots and purchase her first home in Scarborough, Yvonne encountered an insidious form of discrimination. The builder, without hesitation, refused to sell her the property, explicitly citing the “colour of her skin” as the reason. This shocking anecdote was recounted to Marcia one evening during a conversation about racial injustices in the United States. “My mother then told me racism exists here too,” Alderson recalls, her younger self’s response echoing with disbelief: “Really?” This moment was a profound turning point, revealing the hidden struggles that had shaped her mother’s life and, by extension, Canada’s less-than-perfect history.
Yvonne’s Courageous Fight Against Racism in 1950s Canada
Rather than succumbing to the injustice, Yvonne, then a single woman in her early 30s, demonstrated incredible fortitude. She took a pioneering stand by bringing her case against the discriminatory builder to the Human Rights Commission. Her unwavering determination paid off, as she ultimately won her case and secured the right to purchase her dream home. “I found out my mother was a badass,” Marcia proudly states, reflecting on her mother’s unyielding spirit. This victory was not just personal; it was a significant stride forward in the fight for civil rights in Canada.
A crucial figure in Yvonne’s triumph was the sales agent, a man her mother remembered as “the nicest and whitest man in Canada.” Outraged by the builder’s blatant racism, he bravely chose to testify on Yvonne’s behalf. This decision was not made lightly, as it meant jeopardizing his own career. True to his fears, the builder, in retaliation, fired him. However, this act of courage had an unexpected and beautiful consequence. “A few months later my mother and the nicest and whitest salesman in Canada started dating, got married and made me,” Alderson shares, born in 1965, a testament to love prevailing over prejudice.
Marcia’s father, George Hubbs, dedicated over 25 years of his life to a successful career in real estate, primarily with Royal Trust Real Estate, before his passing in 1982 when Marcia was 17. Yvonne, her formidable mother, passed away in 2018, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and activism that continues to inspire. Marcia, who was born in Jamaica and immigrated to Canada as an infant, fondly remembers her mother’s positive experiences in Scarborough post-victory. “She was beautifully treated in Scarborough,” Alderson notes, highlighting the community’s eventual acceptance and warmth.
The Singing Realtor: Marcia Alderson’s Dual Passions and Community Impact
Following in her father’s footsteps, Marcia embarked on her own distinguished career in real estate in 1985, initially serving clients across Scarborough and Pickering in the Greater Toronto Area. In 2006, she relocated to the picturesque town of Collingwood, joining Keleher + Co. in 2016, where she continues to build a reputation not only as an expert broker but also as “the Singing Realtor.”
Marcia firmly believes that her two passions, real estate and music, are intrinsically linked and beautifully complement each other. “I never met a microphone I didn’t like,” she often quips, a testament to her innate love for performing. Whenever there’s an opportunity to sing, especially with a live band, she seizes it with enthusiasm. For instance, during the Royal LePage Chairman’s Retreat in Kelowna last September, fate intervened, providing her with both a band and a microphone. She captivated the top agents of Royal LePage with her performance, always making sure to “tell the story before I sing,” grounding her art in her personal narrative and advocacy.
Beyond entertainment, Marcia channels her musical talents and public platform into philanthropic endeavors. Her concerts frequently serve as fundraisers, notably supporting the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, a cause that she holds “near and dear to my heart.” This foundation provides critical assistance to women and children fleeing violence. Furthermore, a recent Christmas concert saw its tip jar accumulate $800, which was gratefully donated to a local women’s shelter, directly impacting vulnerable individuals in her community.
QueenM’s “Colour of Her Skin”: A Song for Our Times
The idea of writing a song had never crossed Alderson’s mind until a recent creative shift within her band. After three years of performing together under the name Motown and Marley, the group decided to rebrand as QueenM (a nod to Alderson’s nickname) and commit to creating original material. It was lead guitarist Craig Smith, an accomplished songwriter, recording artist, and producer, who encouraged Marcia to translate her thoughts into lyrics.
The inspiration struck profoundly one night. Marcia awoke in the dark with the evocative phrases “privilege and palm trees, land of ice and snow” swirling in her mind. Driven by this sudden surge of creativity, she rushed to her computer, and “other lines started to flow,” she recounts. In an astonishing 40 minutes, she had penned an entire page of lyrics. Craig Smith then expertly helped sculpt the words and compose the music, leading to the song being recorded on the very same day. This spontaneous creation became “Colour of Her Skin,” a poignant and timely reflection on racism.
The genesis of the song was deeply rooted in a conversation Marcia had with her own son in 2020, following the tragic murder of George Floyd. As she shared the extraordinary story of how his grandparents met and overcame racial barriers, her son found their narrative “really cool.” For Alderson, her parents’ remarkable journey serves as undeniable proof that while racism is a pervasive and enduring issue, it can indeed be confronted and overcome when individuals possess the courage to stand up against injustice.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, QueenM found a way to continue their music. “We are so lucky,” Alderson expresses, crediting Blue Mountain for providing an outdoor stage that made a significant difference in allowing them to perform safely. The band continues to thrive, with two successful gigs scheduled at Blue Mountain this month (March 19 and 27) and ambitious plans for summer events already in the pipeline. Their performances draw friends, clients, and colleagues to Collingwood, highlighting the band’s growing local appeal. Looking ahead, Marcia also envisions integrating her two worlds, stating, “We would also like to do a real estate conference or two,” demonstrating her desire to bridge her professional life with her artistic pursuits.
QueenM is a formidable quartet. In addition to Marcia Alderson on vocals and Craig Smith on lead guitar, the band features percussionist Bam528, whose musical roots trace back to Detroit and the iconic Snake Pit at Motown Studios, and bassist Kyle Dreany, formerly a key member of the Sudbury rock band Superstack. This diverse blend of talent brings a rich, dynamic sound to QueenM’s original compositions.
The band’s dedication is yielding impressive results. They’ve engaged a publicist, and their debut single, Colour of Her Skin, has already secured a spot on the coveted exclaim.ca playlist. “I was excited to see it was on the same playlist as Cowboy Junkies,” Marcia recalls, noting her personal connection to Margo Timmins, whom she considers “one of my dearest friends.” However, the true significance of this achievement only dawned on her when Craig Smith informed her that “exclaim.ca is the Rolling Stone of Canada.” Shortly thereafter, the song garnered national recognition with play on CBC radio and has since captivated international audiences, featuring on a prominent U.K. online radio podcast. The song continues to gain traction, steadily expanding the band’s following and fan base.
Marcia’s aspirations for the song and its underlying story are clear and profound: “My hopes for the song and story is that it’s one of these things that happened in the 1960s but is still happening today. I want to make people think. Everyone has biases.” Through her music, she aims to spark introspection and encourage dialogue about persistent societal issues, urging listeners to recognize and address their own inherent biases.
Colour of Her Skin is readily available across all major streaming platforms, including Bandcamp. For comprehensive information about QueenM, including tour dates, band news, and captivating videos, please visit their official website at www.queenm.ca, or connect with them on social media via Instagram and Facebook.