One of this city's best-known personalities, Johnny Lombardi was a pioneer in the promotion of Toronto's cultural diversity. Born in this city to an Italian immigrant family, he quickly achieved success by appealing to the needs of this city's rapidly growing Italian immigrant neighbourhoods - first as the proprietor of a grocery store, opened in 1946, then as an impresario of Italian entertainment. Lombardi is responsible for two vital Toronto institutions: CHIN Multicultural Radio and the CHIN International Picnic.