Godwin Ifedi Editor Photo by Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo.

Good morning folks

Hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe and well as we head into spring and away from the snow and ice of the winter season. Our Top Story for April 2023 is the appointment of Suzanne Obiorah as Executive Director of the Somerset West Community Health Centre. Way to go Suzanne!

Other strong Black women are also making waves in senior management positions. Social justice advocate Pat Harewood, is one such person as she takes her place on the Labour Relations Board, while our Interview focuses on Professor Josephine Etowa of the University of Ottawa.

Our newest volunteer reporter Hussein Hassan makes his debut with an excellent review of the movie Know Your Place, from the recently concluded Ottawa International Film Festival. New columnist Kimalee Phillip takes us on her journey of discovery to Africa and the memories of the inglorious slave trade. On the Social scene, we bring you the 66th Independence celebration by the Ghana Association of Ottawa. And finally we bring you profiles of five countries celebrating their Independence anniversaries: Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Togo and South Africa.

All these and more in the April 2023 edition of your favourite news magazine. Enjoy!

Here is the result of the March 2023 poll: Do you believe that the cost of groceries will come down within the next few months? Yes 0% No 100% Thank you to all who voted.

Here is the poll for April 2023: Should Canada cuts its ties with the British monarchy and declare itself an independent republic?

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, peaceful and productive month of April.

Godwin Ifedi

Editor

This edition of Black Ottawa Scene is funded in part by a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation