Godwin Ifedi
Editor

Good morning all

Hope you are all enjoying the beautiful summer weather. The last month has been busy, so we start with our Top Story, the Smart Start summit jointly hosted by Black History Ottawa and the Young Leaders’ Advisory Council, as ably documented by our Youth Editor Ililli Ahmed.  On the Social Scene we bring you the tropical showcase Fiesta Cubana, featuring the amazing pianist Miguel des Armas.  More stuff on the social landscape is the special gala to honour Ottawa’s favourite  police officer, Isobel Granger on her promotion to the rank of Inspector, the first Black female to hold this position.

On the Health front, we bring you advances in the treatment of AIDS, as informed during the Voices of Women forum  hosted by the AIDS Committee of Ottawa. June 17 is Fathers’ Day and Alana Esty has written a short but stirring tribute to her father Dr. Clive Esty. We also bring you our Interview with teenage dance champion, Janeyce Guerrier. The Ethiopian community is featured in Community Profile as they  celebrate the 25 anniversary of the St. Teklehaimanot Ethiopian Orthodox Twehedo Church. In Sports, columnist Andy Kusi-Appiah shares his insights on the prospects of African soccer teams in the June World Cup competition  in Russia.

Ottawa continues to lose its best and brightest as we say goodbye to Epah Francis Fonkeng, one of the city’s most prominent social activists, community volunteer,  writer and poet, who passed away in May. May his gentle soul rest in peace, Amen.

Associate Editor Kika Otiono brings a fresh look at stress management with her inaugural article: Avoid the ‘Busy’ Mentality.  The forthcoming election in Ontario promises major changes in the province’s electoral landscape and we bring you the profiles of all eighteen Black candidates from the three major parties.

Here is the result of the May 2018 poll. Do you celebrate Mothers’ Day?

Yes 67%

No 33%

Thank you to all who voted.  Remember to take part in the June 2018 poll: Do you celebrate Fathers’ Day?

All these and more in the June 2018 edition.

All the best to you and your loved ones.

Godwin Ifedi

Editor