Their voices have been heard in Canada since the early 1600s, voices that are heard to this day.
And Canada’s African Diaspora are inviting all Londoners to help them celebrate Black History Month under the theme of Voices of Resilience beginning Saturday at Museum London.
“That says we can be very resilient people and we want people to recognize our voices and what we have to say,” said Carl Cadogan, spokesperson for the Black History Month Co-ordinating Committee in London.
“We want to make sure that theme weaves through what we’re doing.”
Cadogan said it’s important to celebrate Black History Month in Canada, where the contributions and accomplishments of people of African descent are not well known.
“I was raised in Ottawa and I don’t ever remember reading about even one person of African descent in Canada in my school textbooks,” said Cadogan.
“In the U.S., despite the racism and troubles, there has always been recognition of people of African descent, but not so in Canada. I don’t think people realize that people of African descent have been here since 1603. We have made contributions and we want to share our history with people who don’t know and we want everyone to be a part of it and experience that diversity Canada so highly cherishes.”
To that end, the celebration got off to an early, historic start with the staging of playwright Jason Rip’s play, Flowers and Thorns, at Wolf Performance Hall Jan. 26 that told the story of six Black Canadian women who’ve had an impact.
Last Saturday, London native and tap dancing star Joey Hollingsworth, one of the first black men to ever to appear on Canadian television, received the first-ever lifetime achievement award from the Ontario Black History Society.
This Saturday, Black History Month in London is launched at Museum London at 1 p.m. where cultural groups will be showcased along with arts and crafts, the service providers the city’s African, Caribbean and Black communities can benefit from, musical performances, food and spoken-word artists.
Cadogan said the month-long activities will be celebrated in English and French.
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Black History Month in London at a glance
Saturday, 1 p.m.: Opening celebration at Museum London with cultural groups showcasing their roots, art, crafts and services. The afternoon includes a panel presentation, Beechnut Steel Drum performance, music, poetry, spoken word and food.
Monday, 6:30 p.m.: Forgotten Roots: the Untold Story of Black Muslims in America, presented by the London chapter of the Muslim Association of Canada, at Wolf Performance Hall, 251 Dundas St., and featuring guest speaker Amir Muhammad, director of the Islamic Heritage Museum in Washington D.C.
Feb. 10, 10 a.m.: A Family Celebration at London Regional Children’s Museum, 21 Wharncliffe Rd. S., with interactive workshops, activities and performances. Regular admission, $8 two years old and up, $2.50 children 12 to 23 months of age.
Feb. 14, 7 p.m.: At Museum London a screening of Loving, the 2016 film written and directed by Jeff Nichols that tells the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, who in 1967 went to the U.S. Supreme Court to battle state laws prohibiting interracial marriage. Tickets, $5.
Feb. 16, 5:30 p.m.: African Food Festival at Trinity United Church Community Centre, 76 Doulton St. where they’ll be serving dishes from the cuisines of Africa and the Caribbean.
Feb. 17, 11:30 a.m.: African Folktales Storytime at Cherryhill Branch Library where staff will highlight the rich oral history and traditions of African culture.
Feb. 23, 6 p.m.: Lewis Coray Trailblazer Award for Youth to be presented at London Police Services building, 601 Dundas St., in honour of retired London Police Sgt. Lewis Coray.
Feb. 24, 2 p.m.: At Museum London a screening of the hit French language film, Les Intouchables (in French with English subtitles) the 2011 French buddy comedy-drama film about a friendship between two men, a wealthy quadriplegic and his live-in caregiver. Tickets, $5.
Feb. 25, 1 p.m.: The Black History Month Closing Gala at Wolf Performance Hall, 251 Dundas St., followed by a reception at 4 p.m. featuring song, dance, spoken word, history and awards presentations.
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