GUELPH – For over 25 years, February has been referred to as Black History Month in Canada, following a motion introduced by the Honourable Jean Augustine – the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament.
It is the month in which Canadians celebrate the contributions that Black historical figures have made to society.
Names like Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King Jr. – and more recently, Viola Desmond – are well ingrained in our minds.
Celebrating the past has always been the focal point of Black History Month.
The Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS) will be celebrating its fifth Annual Black Heritage Month in February.
This month will commemorate past and present accomplishments within the Black community and set sights on a bright future ahead.
“While we will continue to acknowledge the resilience and bravery of those who came before us, we must recognize that Black history and experiences are much more than the narrative of enslavement,” GBHS officials state.
The GBHS calls on the community “to honour our past, celebrate today, and look toward the future.”
The following events will be presented in during Black Heritage Month:
Navigating the world
“Exploring the Additional and Invisible Labour of Navigating the World Being Black” with social worker and psychotherapist Giselle Jones on Feb. 15 at Heritage Hall (83 Esssex St., Guelph) at 11am.
Jones will talk about exploring the additional and invisible labor of navigating the world being Black, but also the tremendous resilience and power born from both intergenerational and lived experience.
She will invite and instruct how to embrace “micro moments” of mindfulness throughout the day. This is the most accessible practice for busy people.
Free admission, donations welcome.
To register, search Eventbrite for “Exploring the labour of navigating the world being Black.”
Bob Marley Tribute
A Tribute to Bob Marley featuring Dr. Mike and Friends on Feb. 22 at the Heritage Hall 7pm.
“Join us as we celebrate the Legend’s 80th milestone Earthstrong,” organizers say.
Tickets are $20 and the event is open to all ages.
To buy tickets search Eventbrite for “A Tribute to Bob Marley featuring Dr. Mike and Friends.”
Verese Vassell-Bowen
“Come out and enjoy the soulful and uplifting musical performance featuring Verese Vassell-Bowen at the Guelph Civic Museum (52 Norfolk Street).
This event is part of “Free Fourth Fridays,” during which museum admission is free after 5 to 9pm.
The show starts at 7pm, and admission is free.
