Editor
Good morning folks
I can’t believe that we are coming to the end of the second month of 2018; seems like only yesterday we were celebrating Christmas. Pride of place for the March edition of Black Ottawa Scene is Black History Month, starting with our Top Story, Ottawa’s Newcomer Information Centre’s all female panel discussion on the theme: Celebrating Black women’s achievements in the community. We follow it with a report on the Black History Month magnificent gala organised the city’s favorite host and hostess Yomi and Kelly Pratt. We also bring you news of Black History Month celebrations by own brothers and sisters in Nunavut.
No one on planet earth would have missed the blockbuster movie, Black Panther with its all Black cast of actors. So it is no surprise that we have not one but two reviews of the film by columnists Robin Browne and our own Ililli Ahmed. Under People Making a Difference, we report on a celebration of a different kind, in the form of the Order of Ontario awarded to famed nursing professor and innovator Myrtha Lapierre. For Your Health, our esteemed medical columnist Dr. Habibat Garuba writes about Peripartum Cardiomyopathy. The newly formed Federation of Black Canadians has garnered a lot of newsprint in the last few weeks, and seen by many as a rallying point for Canadians of African descent. However, columnist MacAndrew Clarke begs to disagree, echoing some of radio broadcaster Desmond Cole’s recent controversial comments on his Toronto-based radio station CFRB AM. Our Interview features Hindia Mohamoud, Director of the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership (OLIP). An intriguing entry into this edition is the Guest Column by Gerry Archambeau: A Porter’s Pride, recounting his experiences as a train porter in the early years of Canadian railroads.
Here is the result of our February 2018 poll: Has justice has been served with the forced resignation of Ontario Opposition Leader Patrick Brown and Black Senator Don Meredith, following allegations of sexual abuse, without a court hearing?
Yes 57 % No 43 %
Thank you to all who voted. Don’t forget to participate in the March 2018 poll: Do you think the recent upheavals within the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party will damage their chances of winning the June election?
All these and more in the March edition. Do send us feedback on any of the contents of this and previous editions; your comments help us improve this invaluable community publication.
All the best to you and your loved ones.
Godwin Ifedi
Editor