Community News
Envoking the Possibility; the 12th Annual Durham Black History Month Celebration
BY: SIMONE JENNIFER SMITH
The release of Marvel’s Black Panther on January 29, 2018, was so powerful that it gathered African people together, in a way that has not been seen in many years. The Black Panther movie was a big winner in North America, becoming one of three movies to ever hit $700 million, with a global haul of $1.3 billion. It was amazing to see the pride that was felt by many Africans living in the Diaspora. Wakanda certainly did evoke a sense of possibility; the possibility of an amazing future for Africans not living on the continent.
The 12th Annual Durham Black History Month Celebration, themed “Afrofuturism: Achieving Wakanda Today,” is almost poetically timed. On Saturday, February 2nd, 2019, which is only a little over a year of the release of Black Panther, the Cultural Expressions Art Gallery will be partnering with other community leaders, organizations and sponsors, to provide a night of: education, empowerment and entertainment.
Esther Forde, the Founder & Chair of the Black History Month Celebration, has been the Curator at Cultural Expressions for the last 12 years. She is a lover of vivid colours, and it makes perfect sense why her team has chosen to interknit Marvel’s Black Panther with this year’s celebration. “It is this sense of possibility that we want to delve into at our 12th annual event,” affirms Ms. Forde. “Afrofuturism and Wakanda also reflect our focus this year on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) and our aim to encourage young people of all backgrounds to pursue studies and careers in these disciplines. For 2019, we hope to stimulate imaginations and transform futures.”
The Cultural Expression Art Gallery has always supported Canadian talent; they have done so by hosting exhibitions and events that provide the community with inspiration, and showcasing talents ranging from Visual Arts to Performance Arts. Durham Region’s largest, FREE Black History Month celebration will welcome a roster of musical performances including: the captivation Ngoma Ensemble drummers, the phenomenal voice of Veronica Tynes, the jaw dropping City of Pickering Break Dancers, spoken word poetry from Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School performers, and the ever needed inspiration from a soon to be announced church choir.
Helping to bring Afrofuturism to life is keynote speaker Malcolm Azania, better known as Minister Faust. The critically acclaimed author of “The Alchemist of Kush,” and the Kindred Award- winning and Philip K. Dick runner-up “Shrinking the Heroes,” has a writing style that is heavily influenced by the myriad ancient African Civilization. His writing has the ability to draw the reader into exploring present realities, and imagining a future, where people endeavour not only for justice, but also for cosmic possibilities.
The event will also honor the 2019 recipient of the Madiba Award; Madiba is one of many names by which Mandela was affectionately known. This award reflects on the experience, complex faith and sense of community demonstrated by the Xhosa clan. It is an understanding that no one can stand alone; we are part of an extended web of loyalty that includes our family, community and ancestors. This ideology has been termed ‘Ubuntu’ that one is human only through others, not in isolation. Famous Xhosa’s include the great Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, former President Thabo Mbeki, assassinated Communist Party boss, Chris Hani, and Africa’s Queen of Song, Miriam Makeba. The Award honors a leader of African ancestry in Durham Region, whose experience embodies Nelson Mandela’s values, vision, and commitment to fight for freedom and equality. Along with the award, event organizers are also launching an arts scholarship for eligible students pursuing the arts at a post-secondary institution. Application forms will be available at the event and online at www.durhamblackhistorymonth.com.
In the spirit of Ubuntu, Cultural Expressions Art Gallery Inc. has collaborated this year with the Durham District School Board, Durham Black Educators’ Network and the Congress of Black Women (Ajax/Pickering). The event has been funded by the Government of Ontario, and some of the key sponsors include: the Rotary Club of Pickering, Veridian Connections, Durham Region Police Service, No Frills (Ajax/Pickering) and the UPS Store (Ajax).
The 12th Annual Durham Black History Month Celebration will be on Saturday, February 2nd, 2019, from 5:00 pm – 9:00 p.m. at J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate, 1355 Harwood Avenue North. From 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm attendees will have access to the community fair, where they will be able to enjoy networking and light refreshments. Performances and the keynote address will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. You can get your tickets online at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/12th-annual-durham-black-history-month-celebration-tickets-42843759839. For event updates, you can follow:
“Durham Black History Month” on Facebook @DurhamBHM, on Instagram and @durham_bhm, on Twitter. You can also contact Cultural Expressions Art Gallery Inc. at culturalexpressionsbhm@gmail.com.