February is Black History Month and celebrations are underway in Nanaimo.
Last Thursday, the Nanaimo African Heritage Society held the opening ceremony for this year’s celebrations at the Nanaimo North Library.
Nanaimo African Heritage Society founder Shalema Gantt said she hopes people will educate themselves about the contributions that black pioneers made to British Columbia.
“We talk about the Canadian underground railroad and that was wonderful that people were there to save people and help people … but we also need to tell people about the [black] pioneers who came here and contributed,” Gantt said. “These are pioneers and they part of our culture. There is no separatism in terms of whether you’re white, black, Chinese or East Indian. We’re all in the community together and we all share the culture and history of British Columbia.”
Leading off the Black History Month events is a jazz and gospel concert, which will take place on Sunday (Feb. 8) at Brechin United Church, 1998 Estevan Rd., at 3 p.m.
Other events taking place this month include a round table discussion, a performance by Live Out Loud and Alexandre Reyes as well as a grand finale dinner and dance at the Bowen Park activity centre on Saturday (Feb. 28).
Mayor Bill McKay, who officially declared February 2015 as Black History Month in Nanaimo, encouraged Nanaimoites to attend as many events as they can.
“I think it is really important that people get out there and go to all of these events,” McKay said. “Learn about the black pioneers of Nanaimo because they made significant contributions to our community.”
For a full list of events taking place this month, please visit www.nanaimoafricanheritagesociety.com or www.bit.ly/1wXWinB.
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