Black History Month 2024 Premise
Disrupting the tenets of Euromodern colonialism has been a central practice among Black scholars, writers, community leaders and artists for decades. Many reports have been written and global protests launched which challenge longstanding colonial structures. In the context of Black History and the Black experience in Canada, mass media and school curricula predominantly cover south of the 49th parallel, focusing less on Black Canadian contributions to Canada’s growth, development and nation building.
When we look across our community, province and country, we see that Black Canadians everywhere are telling their stories and reshaping Canadian history. Whether it’s Black-led agencies strategizing to support African resettlement in the Greater Toronto area or Black youth defying institutional barriers in their rise to success, Black Canadians are on the move. According to Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, “many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign, but stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity.” Agency is an important vehicle for change.
This Black History Month, we will delve into conversations about how Black Canadians are using storytelling as a mode of resistance to counteract the systemic erasure, silencing, and marginalizing of Black Canadian history and experience. Storytelling, in all its forms, presents a counter-narrative in the change movement. Black Canadians are “talking back” to large narratives of benevolence.
Ultimately, the band-aids have come off in the wake of George’s Floyd’s murder and what we are witnessing as resistance are the very acts that will rewrite the nation-story, potentially cast in a future where we are all our ancestors' wildest dreams.
Jerisha Grant-Hall
Chairperson
Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association
When we look across our community, province and country, we see that Black Canadians everywhere are telling their stories and reshaping Canadian history. Whether it’s Black-led agencies strategizing to support African resettlement in the Greater Toronto area or Black youth defying institutional barriers in their rise to success, Black Canadians are on the move. According to Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, “many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign, but stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity.” Agency is an important vehicle for change.
This Black History Month, we will delve into conversations about how Black Canadians are using storytelling as a mode of resistance to counteract the systemic erasure, silencing, and marginalizing of Black Canadian history and experience. Storytelling, in all its forms, presents a counter-narrative in the change movement. Black Canadians are “talking back” to large narratives of benevolence.
Ultimately, the band-aids have come off in the wake of George’s Floyd’s murder and what we are witnessing as resistance are the very acts that will rewrite the nation-story, potentially cast in a future where we are all our ancestors' wildest dreams.
Jerisha Grant-Hall
Chairperson
Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association
Mayor, John Taylor |
NACCA Founder and Chairperson, Jerisha Grant-Hall |
Black History Month Programming
Flag-raising Ceremony
February 1, 2024 | 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Pan-African Flag | Municipal Offices (395 Mulock Drive, Newmarket)
Join us on February 1, 2024 as we raise the Pan-African flag to commemorate Black History Month. The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association and the Town of Newmarket are coming together to honour the rich heritage, diverse culture and invaluable contributions of people of African descent to our community. This ceremony is a symbol of our commitment to advancing the United Nations declaration of recognition, justice and development for the people of African descent, 2015 to 2024.
Register HERE
Join us on February 1, 2024 as we raise the Pan-African flag to commemorate Black History Month. The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association and the Town of Newmarket are coming together to honour the rich heritage, diverse culture and invaluable contributions of people of African descent to our community. This ceremony is a symbol of our commitment to advancing the United Nations declaration of recognition, justice and development for the people of African descent, 2015 to 2024.
Register HERE
Black History Month Reception, Art Exhibition & Ujamaa Marketplace
Saturday, February 3, 2024 | Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Newmarket Old Town Hall (460 Botsford Street) | Free Admission
Join us for the Black History Month 2024 Reception featuring live entertainment, featured guests, keynote address, dance, spoken word and more! The reception will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The popular Ujamaa Black-Owned Marketplace will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. where you can meet and shop from talented local artisans!
Register HERE
Join us for the Black History Month 2024 Reception featuring live entertainment, featured guests, keynote address, dance, spoken word and more! The reception will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The popular Ujamaa Black-Owned Marketplace will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. where you can meet and shop from talented local artisans!
Register HERE
Keynote Speaker - Wes Hall
As the chairman and founder of WeShall Investments Inc, a private equity firm with a diverse portfolio of companies predominantly supporting BIPOC entrepreneurs, Wes Hall comes from humble beginnings in rural Jamaica. He grew up in a plantation worker's shack as one of several children supported by his grandmother. Despite these challenges, his grandmother instilled in him the value of hard work, ambition, and industriousness. In 1985, Wes immigrated to Canada, where he set about to become the businessman you see today. Dressed daily in a suit, Wes started as a mail clerk at a leading law firm in Toronto. His curiosity, intelligence, and ability to spot opportunities allowed him to turn a $100K loan from the bank to start his first business, Kingsdale Advisors, into becoming Canada's most preeminent shareholder advisory firm.
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Falls Illumination
Friday, February 9, 2024 | Dusk to 11 p.m. | Riverwalk Commons (200 Doug Duncan Drive)
As the day comes to a close, take a moment to visit the Riverwalk Commons falls and witness a stunning display of light and colour inspired by the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association. 🌇✨
The falls come alive with vibrant hues of yellow and green, illuminating the cascading water with a spectacular glow. The display is a celebration of the richness of African heritage, showcasing the beauty and diversity of our communities. As you watch the calming glow, take a deep breath and soak in the peaceful ambiance of the Riverwalk Commons. It's the perfect way to end a busy day and appreciate the wonders of nature and art. So grab a friend or loved one, bundle up, and head down to the falls for an experience you won't soon forget.
As the day comes to a close, take a moment to visit the Riverwalk Commons falls and witness a stunning display of light and colour inspired by the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association. 🌇✨
The falls come alive with vibrant hues of yellow and green, illuminating the cascading water with a spectacular glow. The display is a celebration of the richness of African heritage, showcasing the beauty and diversity of our communities. As you watch the calming glow, take a deep breath and soak in the peaceful ambiance of the Riverwalk Commons. It's the perfect way to end a busy day and appreciate the wonders of nature and art. So grab a friend or loved one, bundle up, and head down to the falls for an experience you won't soon forget.
Film Screening “Living in Colour” and Archives of Ontario Presentation with Melissa J. Nelson
Wednesday, February 16, 2024 | 7 to 9 p.m.
Newmarket Public Library (438 Park Avenue) | Free Admission | In-Person
Hosted and sponsored by the Newmarket Public Library in partnership with NACCA
There is growing awareness in Black communities that documentary and film evidence can be used as an empowering tool for story-making, history-making and change.
Newmarket Public Library (438 Park Avenue) | Free Admission | In-Person
Hosted and sponsored by the Newmarket Public Library in partnership with NACCA
There is growing awareness in Black communities that documentary and film evidence can be used as an empowering tool for story-making, history-making and change.
About the film
Living in Colour, written and delivered by The Black Rivers' Alliance, is a 40-minute documentary that discusses, analyzes, and receives the past, present, and potential future of the Black community across Canada. It features conversations between members of The Black Rivers' Alliance regarding Black culture, the reception of Caribbean and African cultures by immigrants and the descendants of immigrants across Canada and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the growth of Black pop culture and where it comes from, as well as the exploration of the presence of Black identity in North America and the Caribbean—and whether or not said identity is ultimately rooted in Africa.
Olivia Hutchinson, Marcus Walkes, Atiya Williams and Jaylah A. Hall interview and have conversations with Black men, women, and youth across York Region to explore different perspectives on these topics that exist within their community, with hopes of creating and affirming tangibility and reliability in learning more about the truth in past and modern history; history that will fan the fire to form the foundation to build culturally empowered Black teens.
Living in Colour, written and delivered by The Black Rivers' Alliance, is a 40-minute documentary that discusses, analyzes, and receives the past, present, and potential future of the Black community across Canada. It features conversations between members of The Black Rivers' Alliance regarding Black culture, the reception of Caribbean and African cultures by immigrants and the descendants of immigrants across Canada and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the growth of Black pop culture and where it comes from, as well as the exploration of the presence of Black identity in North America and the Caribbean—and whether or not said identity is ultimately rooted in Africa.
Olivia Hutchinson, Marcus Walkes, Atiya Williams and Jaylah A. Hall interview and have conversations with Black men, women, and youth across York Region to explore different perspectives on these topics that exist within their community, with hopes of creating and affirming tangibility and reliability in learning more about the truth in past and modern history; history that will fan the fire to form the foundation to build culturally empowered Black teens.
Meet Melissa J. Nelson
Melissa J. Nelson is an award-winning archivist, writer and educator. Her work centres Black being and belonging in the archives to support collective healing and liberation movements. Melissa is currently an archivist at the Archives of Ontario.
The Archives of Ontario was established by the Ontario Government in 1903 in response to public demands for a historical records repository. They collect, preserve, promote, and make available records that document Ontario’s history. Their mission is to document the history of Ontario and Ontarians in all their diversity.
"Reclaiming the Narrative: Black Archives at the Archives of Ontario"
Melissa's talk will focus on the power and potential of Black archival collections. She positions these collections as tools for empowerment that allow Black record creators to reclaim the historical narrative. This talk celebrates Black record creators who documented and passed on their life stories.
Register HERE
The Archives of Ontario was established by the Ontario Government in 1903 in response to public demands for a historical records repository. They collect, preserve, promote, and make available records that document Ontario’s history. Their mission is to document the history of Ontario and Ontarians in all their diversity.
"Reclaiming the Narrative: Black Archives at the Archives of Ontario"
Melissa's talk will focus on the power and potential of Black archival collections. She positions these collections as tools for empowerment that allow Black record creators to reclaim the historical narrative. This talk celebrates Black record creators who documented and passed on their life stories.
Register HERE
"Writing Our History" with Dr. Natasha Henry-Dixon
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 | 7 to 9 p.m.
Newmarket Public Library (438 Park Avenue) | Free Admission
Join us for a live and interactive speaker presentation and interview, hosted by the Newmarket Public Library and moderated by Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association's Jerisha Grant-Hall.
NACCA is pleased to welcome Dr. Natasha Henry-Dixon as this year's honoured speaker. Natasha Henry-Dixon is an assistant professor of African Canadian History at York University. The 2018 Vanier Scholar is researching the enslavement of Black people in early Ontario. Her publications include Emancipation Day: Celebrating Freedom in Canada (June 2010), Talking about Freedom: Celebrating Freedom in Canada (2012), a number of youth-focused titles, and several entries for the Canadian Encyclopedia on African Canadian history. Through her various professional, academic, and community roles, Natasha's work is grounded in her commitment to research, collect, preserve, and disseminate the histories Black Canadians.
Register HERE
Art Exhibit and Contest
February 3 to 29, 2024 | Elman W. Campbell Museum (134 Main Street South)
Tuesday to Saturday | 10 a.m. to 12 pm. & 1 to 4 p.m. | Free Admission
This year's exhibit interpreting the theme, "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now - Telling Our Story, Writing Our History" is a powerful showcase of Black Canadian history and experiences. The talented artists behind the pieces use their unique perspectives and artistic vision to convey the message of reclamation and empowerment. NACCA is proud to provide a platform for this incredible group of individuals and celebrate their exceptional contributions to the community.
The theme of the exhibit centers on the power of storytelling as a mode of resistance against systemic erasure, silencing, and marginalization of Black Canadian history and experiences. The purpose is to highlight how art can serve as a tool for cultural expression and advocacy for Black Canadians.
Tuesday to Saturday | 10 a.m. to 12 pm. & 1 to 4 p.m. | Free Admission
This year's exhibit interpreting the theme, "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now - Telling Our Story, Writing Our History" is a powerful showcase of Black Canadian history and experiences. The talented artists behind the pieces use their unique perspectives and artistic vision to convey the message of reclamation and empowerment. NACCA is proud to provide a platform for this incredible group of individuals and celebrate their exceptional contributions to the community.
The theme of the exhibit centers on the power of storytelling as a mode of resistance against systemic erasure, silencing, and marginalization of Black Canadian history and experiences. The purpose is to highlight how art can serve as a tool for cultural expression and advocacy for Black Canadians.
Elman W. Campbell Museum Exhibit
February 3 to 29, 2024 | Elman W. Campbell Museum (134 Main Street South)
Tuesday to Saturday | 10 a.m. to 12 pm. & 1 to 4 p.m. | Free Admission
Join us in honouring Black History Month with an exhibit dedicated to Black History with special feature, Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now, in partnership with NACCA, on display at the Elman W. Campbell Museum during the month of February 2024. Learn about local Black contributions through a new historical exhibit on early Black pioneers such as Henry Hisson, Taylor Tamar, Edward Provost, Henry Thomas Shepherd.
This exhibit will showcase a rich and diverse history that is often overlooked. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the many achievements of Black individuals and communities that span centuries until today. Through interactive displays and educational programming, you will gain a deeper understanding of the struggles and triumphs that have shaped Black history in our local area and across the country.
We hope that this exhibit will inspire conversations and reflections on the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality. It is a chance to recognize the resilience, resistance and invaluable contributions of Black Canadians in the face of adversity, and to acknowledge the important role they have played in shaping our society. We encourage you to bring your family and friends to the Elman W. Campbell Museum throughout February 2024 to experience Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now and join us in this commemoration of Black history.
Tuesday to Saturday | 10 a.m. to 12 pm. & 1 to 4 p.m. | Free Admission
Join us in honouring Black History Month with an exhibit dedicated to Black History with special feature, Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now, in partnership with NACCA, on display at the Elman W. Campbell Museum during the month of February 2024. Learn about local Black contributions through a new historical exhibit on early Black pioneers such as Henry Hisson, Taylor Tamar, Edward Provost, Henry Thomas Shepherd.
This exhibit will showcase a rich and diverse history that is often overlooked. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the many achievements of Black individuals and communities that span centuries until today. Through interactive displays and educational programming, you will gain a deeper understanding of the struggles and triumphs that have shaped Black history in our local area and across the country.
We hope that this exhibit will inspire conversations and reflections on the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality. It is a chance to recognize the resilience, resistance and invaluable contributions of Black Canadians in the face of adversity, and to acknowledge the important role they have played in shaping our society. We encourage you to bring your family and friends to the Elman W. Campbell Museum throughout February 2024 to experience Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now and join us in this commemoration of Black history.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
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People First Sponsor
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Community Supporter
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Community Supporter
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