Good morning folks
Welcome to Black Ottawa Scene where we do our best to keep our readers in touch with the pulse of what is happening in the Black community in Ottawa and beyond. Our Top Story for the month of April is the 4th Annual Ottawa Black Film festival red-carpet opening ceremony at the Library and Archives Canada. Our photo gallery captures images of the movers and shakers in our community. We follow this up with a review of the first movie of the festival, Talia’s Journey, a truly intriguing tale of a homecoming that wetted the taste buds of the guests at this grand event.
The relationship between the Black community and the Ottawa Police Service continues to face difficult challenges, with the report of a recent incident in which a young Black man was forcibly arrested on suspicion of murder, which turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. Former veteran RCMP officer Calvin Lawrence gives readers his take on this incident and how to move Black/Police relations forward.
Columnist Kwaku Kusi-Appiah takes readers on journey on the experience of Africa with homosexuality, against the backdrop of several countries imposing stiff criminal penalties on LGBTQ individuals, the latest coming from his home country, Ghana.
On the entertainment scene, we bring you reviews of Dreamgirls and an unforgettable joint show by jazz/blues icon Taj Mahal and and Gambian musical diva , Sona Jobarteh.
We continue our journey of innovation by bringing you a new series of podcasts focusing on continental Africa. The first of these is by Malawi-born Qabaniso Malewezi with his piece: When culture comes calling.
All these and more in the April 2024 edition of Black Ottawa Scene.
Here is the result of the March 2024 poll: Do you know any one whose vehicle has been stolen in the last 12 months? Yes 0% No 100% Thank you to all who voted. Don’t forget to vote in the April 2024 poll: Do you know anyone who has been scammed through their bank account?
All the very best to you and your loved ones from our editorial team.
Godwin Ifedi
Editor
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This edition of Black Ottawa Scene is funded in part by a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to Black History Ottawa
