February’s freezing temperatures and pandemic restrictions won’t put a damper on African Heritage Month celebrations at Saint Mary’s.
From online guest speakers to recommended readings to an African film festival, the Office of Diversity Excellence at Saint Mary’s—together with a committee of staff, faculty and representatives from SMUSA—have prepared several events and resources for the Saint Mary’s community.
Celebrated in Nova Scotia as African Heritage Month and nationally as Black History Month, the month is “an important opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate all the ways that Black Canadians and those who identify as members of African diasporas have contributed to Canada’s history and culture,” says Dr. Rohini Bannerjee, Associate Vice-President of the newly-formed Office of Diversity Excellence at Saint Mary’s.
To help mark the significance of the month, the tri-colour Pan-African flag has been raised in front of McNally. The red, black and green flag was created in 1920 to represent the people of the African Diaspora.
“We’re excited this year to continue celebrating Black and African heritage excellence well beyond February,” adds Dr. Bannerjee. “We are not confined to these 28 days but instead will attempt to uphold the 2022 theme of February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day as a catalyst for dialogue.”
See the list below for events and resources
Events
Plumes of Power: An Evening with Senator Donald H. Oliver
Tuesday, February 1
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
In partnership with Nimbus publishing, Saint Mary’s University is pleased to present an evening with the Honourable Donald H. Oliver CM ONS QC LLD’13. A tireless champion for diversity, pluralism, fairness and equality, he was the first black male to sit in the Senate and the second black Canadian appointed to the chamber. Senator Oliver continues to connect with the African-Canadian community to provide encouragement, advice, guidance and mentoring particularly to youth, to help them overcome the ravages of racism in Canada today.
Ignition Program: BIPOC Entrepreneurs
The Ignition Program offers weekly programming to students on entrepreneurial topics. The program provides student with $20 per session they attend when they register for the program, or join using the below link, just for fun!
In February, the Ignition Program is hosting virtual events featuring Black and Indigenous local entrepreneur panellists, who will share their stories, challenges and successes with aspiring entrepreneurs.
February 14 – Black Entrepreneurship Panel: 5 p.m. AST to 6:30 p.m. AST
Join SMUEC as we host four incredible Black entrepreneurs as they share their unique entrepreneurial stories, the challenges and stigmas of entrepreneurship, and how their resiliency and perseverance helped to navigate through a difficult career.
Panelists:
Princess Octavious, Owner/Operator, P3 Hair and Beauty Supplies
Holly Adams, CEO, Hollydrops
Tiffani Young, Owner, Natural Butter Bar
February 18 – Indigenous Entrepreneurship Panel: 12 p.m. AST to 1 p.m. AST
Join SMUEC as we host four incredible Indigenous entrepreneurs as they share their unique entrepreneurial stories, the challenges and stigmas of entrepreneurship, and how their resiliency and perseverance helped to navigate through a difficult career.
Black Representation in Health: Why Seeing YOU Matters
Thursday, February 17 12 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
An Office of Diversity Excellence virtual event
Join Kelly Carrington, RMT and Dr. Akila Whiley, MD who will share their experience as Black healthcare providers and discuss the importance of mentorship and representation in the field.
Kemet Udjat: An African Film Festival
February 28 – March 4, 2022
The 2022 edition of the Kemet Udjat Film Festival (KUFF) at Saint Mary’s will run virtually from February 28 to March 4, in remembrance of Dr. Cheikh Anta Diop and Sidney Poitier.
KUFF 2022 is presented by Dr. Jean-Blaise Samou, Assistant Professor of Francophone and Intercultural Studies in the Department of Modern Languages and Classics. Loosely translated, the name Kemet Udjat indicates “the eye of Africa” and refers to a different perspective on African heritage.
Resources and related links
Lynn Jones
In recognition of African Heritage Month, the University Archives has curated a display of materials from the recently digitized Africville Files of The Lynn Jones African Canadian & Diaspora Heritage Collection. Dr. Lynn Jones has spent her lifetime working in civil rights and social justice struggles in Halifax, Canada and internationally. Along the way, she collected thousands of unique materials documenting Black life, including photographs, news clippings, reports, and numerous other materials. Read more about this “living collection,” and how it came to be, here.
The Patrick Power Library has also put on display a large number of print and e-books from its collection for African Heritage Month. All books can be borrowed by the SMU community. Visit the Saint Mary’s University Library Blog to see the virtual displays. In-person displays can be viewed on the ground floor of the Library starting February 4.