Godwin Ifedi
Editor
Photo by Darren Goldstein/DSG

Tuesday 1 October 2024

Good morning all

As the leaves change their leaves at the beginning of the fall season, we at Black Ottawa Scene, reflect that our esteemed community publication is now eleven years old! Who would have thought that when we started this incredible journey in October 2013, we would still be standing on our two feet! And not only standing, but actually running and not looking back at our achievements. Thanks to the unwavering support of diverse communities that make up Canada’s capital region, Black Ottawa Scene continues to thrive and grow!

First off, we at Black Ottawa Scene extend our best wishes to the people of Nigeria and Nigerian-Canadians on the 64th anniversary of the country’s independence.

Our Top Story for the October 2024 edition is the one-of-a-kind life story of centenarian Hubert Clement, as narrated by her daughter Senator Bernadette Clement. We also bring you the news of the award of the Lieutenant Governors’ Legacy awards awards to two remarkable young Black Canadians, Given Messam-Harris and Lladaneyah Gayle. Other People making a difference this month is our own former Ottawa resident Stachen Lett-Fredrick who has just been appointed CEO and President Toronto’s Big Brothers Big Sisters.

New this month is a narrative of the achievements of our friend, mentor, unrelenting social justice advocate and staunch supporter of the city’s Black communities, Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi. We will continue to bring Yasir’s connections with the city’s diverse communities each and every month moving forwards, with a column titled: “MP Yasir Naqvi connects with Ottawa residents”.

Also new this month is a new initiative with Ottawa Public Health which will bring our readers a featured article each month on trending health issues. Their offering this month is: Cooking For One or Two. Regular feature writer Ketcia Peters sends an intriguing letter to her younger self, as her contribution to this edition

All these and more in the October 2024 edition of Black Ottawa Scene. Enjoy!

Here is the result of the September 2024 poll: Do you believe Kamala Harris will defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming US Presidential election? Yes 100% No 0% Thank you to all who voted. Remember to vote in the October 2024 poll: Do you believe that domestic violence is on the rise in the whole of Canada?

All the very best to you and your loved ones.

Godwin Ifedi Editor & Publisher

This edition of Black Ottawa Scene was funded in part by a grant from the Ottawa Community Foundation to Black History Ottawa