96 -year old Mama Leticia Laniyonu speaks of life in her golden years Photo copyright Black Ottawa Scene

Annual Healthy Lifestyles seminar addresses major health issues

Saturday 27 April 2019

The African Caribbean Canadian Coalition continued its tradition of holding an annual Healthy Lifestyles seminar for Ottawa’s Black community, with some 80 participants. Much of this year’s program, held at the Jim Durrell Recreation Centre on Walkley Road,  focused on the challenges of getting older but there was a blend of topics for the general population. Titles of presentations were: Parkinson’s Disease; Challenges of Ageing Alone (panel discussion); Fibroids: The Black Women’s  Curse; and Financial challenges of the Blended Family. In between there was a fitness break plus an Exhibitors’ Corner giving exhibitors an opportunity to promote their services and programs.

The night before, Ottawa Black youth, under the leadership of Alana Aimable- Brathwaite,  held their own health seminar at City Hall with the following topics: HIV/AIDS; Cannabis, and Financial Management. About 25 young people participated in this event.

The African Caribbean Canadian Coalition is a partnership of eleven community organisations, namely: African Canadian Association of Ottawa; Black History Ottawa; Guyana Cultural Association; Jaku Konbit; Nigerian Canadian Association of Ottawa; Racially visible Action Committee; St. Lucia Ottawa Association; St. Vincent & Grenadines Association of Ottawa; The National Institute of Jamaican-Canadians; Trinidad & Tobago Association of Ottawa and Flo’s Seniors Health and Care Programs Network.

The African Caribbean Canadian Coalition is chaired by well-know community leader activist Ingrid John-Baptiste. Members include: Joanne Robinson; Jean Marie Guerrier; Denise Moore-Isaacs; Alana Aimable-Brathwaite; Godwin Ifedi; Alfredo Walker; Carmen Jones; John Adeyefa; Myra Flash; Antoine Gomis; Maxine Grant; Brenda Aggard Alleyne; David Sutton and Chukwuyem Imahiagbe.

All photos copyright Black Ottawa Scene