Editor
Hello folks
As we head into the annual cerebration of Black History Month, we bring you the story of an amazing young woman who is destined to make history someday. Kika Otiono is our Top Story for February with he double honours awarded to her during the launch and opening ceremony of the Ottawa 2016 Black History Month. We follow this with another special honour, this the award of the Order of Ontario to our own June Girvan, founder of the the J’Nikira Dinqinesh Education Centre in Ottawa, which serves children, youth and immigrant families through unique programs that foster intercultural understanding, racial harmony and social justice. Still on the subject of honours, we also bring you George Elliot Clarke who was recently appointed Parliamentary Poet Laureate by the government of Canada, as well as media trailblazers Pat and Moses Mawa with a special community leadership award from the York Regional Police. In Diaspora News, history was made when Angolan-born Francisca Van Dunem was appointed Justice Minister in Portugal.
The annual Martin Luther King Jnr. Dreamkeepers’ celebration, held in January, is the forerunner of Black History Month and is given special mention in this edition, with keynote speaker Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau wowing the audience with her inspirational speech and awesome singing. Other special events such as the appointment of Pius Adesanmi as Director of Carleton University Institute of African Studies. Our guest columnist Andy Kusi-Appiah gives our readers special insight with his piece on Canada’s support of Africa’s Climate Change agenda.
Our interview this month features dance impresario and innovator Suzan Lavertu who takes readers on her journey in creating the city’s School of Afro-Caribbean dance. “Soul on Ice”: a documentary that explores the trials, triumphs of black ice hockey players, is a must read for those fans of Canada’s favorite sports. We continue with our Youth In Action series with an interesting review of the musical The Wiz by columnist Illil Ahmed.
All this and more in the February edition. And don’t forget to take part in the poll survey about what appears to be preferential treatment of Syrian refugees in contrast to refugees from other countries.
Here is feedback from the January 2016 survey:
Are you worried that there might be terrorists hidden among the Syrian refugees being admitted to Canada?
Yes 19%
No 81%
Thank you to all who took part in the poll.
Wishing you all a happy Black History Month.
Godwin Ifedi
Editor