Wednesday February 8, 2023
Canada celebrates 2023 Black History Month
by Joy Osiagwu
The 2023 Black History Month event, organized by the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat, was the first in-person celebration after a long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last in-person event was in 2020.
Sabine Daniel, an award-winning bilingual Canadian producer, and television host was the Master of the ceremony.
Sabine Daniel, host of the event.
A crowd of friends, associates, and family members, especially in the Black community, were delighted, reconnecting with each other in person after a period of physical disconnection.
Arial view of guests at the event
Elder McGregor offered prayers to bless the ceremony.
Sabine Daniel invited Elder McGregor on stage for the opening remarks and prayers to bless the ceremony.
Keonte Beals sang the National Anthem
Shanelle Twumasi performed the Black National Anthem
In line with the theme of the celebration for 2023, ” Ours to Tell,” stories of resilience in the community, dreams for the future of Black businesses, and the essence of Black History Month dominated discussions with esteemed panelists.
The panelists for the evening: L-R Tyler Boyce, Andrea Scott & YaffaTegegne
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a host of ministers of the Cabinet graced the event.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a selfie shot with fans at the ceremony. Photo credit: Office of the PM.
Hon. Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage & Hon. Marci Ien, Minister for Women & Gender Equality & Youth, posing for the cameras.
The Hon. Greg Fergus- (MP, Hull- Aylmer Quebec) delivered a goodwill message at the event.
In addition, opposition party members, parliamentarians, and a host of members of the African diplomatic community honored Black History Month to add color to the ceremony.
Hon. Harjit Sajjan, former Minister of National Defence in a conversation with a guest at the event
A Cross-Section of the African Diplomatic Corps at the ceremony
Hon. Marci Ien, Minister for Women &Gender Equality & Youth, delivered a goodwill message.
Indeed, the combination of personalities was a true reflection of the Canadian mosaic and a recognition of the sacrifices of Black Canadians and their selfless service to the nation.
Vice President, Black History Ottawa Jean-Marie Guerrier, (middle) with community members at the ceremony
Prime Minister Trudeau re-emphasized the annual event’s importance, which celebrates the valuable contributions of Black Canadians across the nation.
The Prime Minister of Canada, Rt Hon. Justin Trudeau delivered a speech.
He acknowledged the sacrifices of Black Canadian pioneers and current role models in the community while offering the government’s total commitment to a better future.
Leaders in the Community: Black History Ottawa Board members L-R: Jean-Marie Guerrier, Joanne Robinson, Godwin Ifedi, & Sarah Onyango at the event.
Earlier in the day, the government announced a 200-million-dollar Black-led and Black-focused endowment fund to support Black-serving non-profits and charities.
A cross-section of the guests.
The Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and host of the celebration, Ahmed Hussen, had earlier delivered his remarks, recognizing the sacrifices of Black Canadians, especially frontline and healthcare workers who did fantastic work mainly at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and continued to show leadership and strength.
The Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and host of the celebration, Ahmed Hussen, delivered a speech.
He challenged more community members to keep hope alive for the extra work ahead “to build a more inclusive path for everyone”.
The Boyce brothers posing for the cameras.
Denise Siele, (right) a Communications specialist and a vibrant community leader with a guest at the event.
Guided by the United Nations decade for people of African descent, he said the government signed onto three major pillars-Recognition, Justice, and Development for the community. Worthy of mention was the investment supporting the Black Canadian Communities initiative of over a hundred and seventy-five million dollars channeled towards infrastructure and capacities development.
A cross-section of the audience.
Minister Hussein also mentioned the contribution of one point five million dollars towards an endowment at York University in honor of Jean Augustine’s Chair in education, Community and Diaspora.
It was a night for adorable performers in the community laced with speakers from the parliament and community.
Hon. Arielle Kayabaga, (MP-London West) Ontario delivered a speech.
The Black Stars from Toronto in a Dance performance at the event.
Titilope Sonuga, 9th Poet Laureate of the City of Edmonton in a performance.
Black History Month was officially acknowledged in December 1995, following the unanimous passage of a motion introduced by the Honourable Jean Augustine to recognize February as Black History Month across Canada.
Hon Jean Augustine was instrumental in establishing Black History Month in Canada Photo credit: Getty Images
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Joy Osiagwu is a Project Officer with Black History Ottawa. She has over two decades of experience as a broadcast journalist in Nigeria and North America. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Cumbria in the United Kingdom, plus a post-graduate diploma in Broadcast Performing Arts from the Columbia Academy, Vancouver, British Columbia.