BLACK HISTORY MONTH • February 2023

poster created by Montreal artist Taïna Mueth

FRANÇAIS app de traduction à gauche

Black History Month is special to me. Growing up, one of our closest family friends were a black family. My mother and that family's mother became close friends as young women working in the garment industry. It is hard to put into words the love these two women had for each other. Her daughter was a wonderful friend and playmate for me and she grew up to become a doctor. As a child, especially since we were close to a black family, I didn't get why these wonderful people were so maligned. I remember once when the two ladies were talking about financial and work related obstacles that her friend added :"... and there is always our colour..." The two dear friends have been gone for decades now but their delightful friendship lasted till the end.

Growing up, I enjoyed so many black artists I could fill this entire article with their names. That is why I am so happy to share with you the fact that Black History Month  is back, and rich with interesting, challenging and exciting activities!

The Round Table on Black History Month

If you are lucky, you may find the annual calendar that features names, biographies and photographs of the laureates of 2023, personalities that shine through with their accomplishments. I am lucky to know some of them. Here is the list:

« Like every year, the Round Table on Black History Month produces and distributes a free annual calendar that highlights the laureates for that year. For this edition, photographer Dominique Claire Marie photographed the 12 laureates. To learn more about each of them — Nicole Antoine, Carla Beauvais, Robert Berrouet Oriol, Kym Dominique Ferguson, Ray Fankhauser, Jamillah Jean, Selwyn Joseph, Jean-Claude Kalubi, Sabine Monpierre, Salmata Ouedraogo, Lynda Rey, and Todd Smith — visit www.moishistoiredesnoirs.com/laureats  »

Now take a look at the eclectic program:

« The 2023 edition of Black History Month will feature sharing-driven moments to be experienced in the Bas-Saint-Laurent, the Outaouais, Gaspésie—and, of course, Montreal. Here’s a quick overview of some of the not-to-be-missed events:

La Flambeau
The world premiere of the chamber opera by Haitian-born Quebec composer David Bontemps, performed by a cast of distinguished Black opera singers, brought to life through dramatic staging and lighting.

Le mythe de la femme noire
The Quebec-wide theatrical release of this feature-length documentary, an investigation of the image that society has of Black women, produced by Bianca Bellange and Ayana O’Shun, and also directed by the latter.

De l'obscurité à la lumière : l'histoire méconnue des domestiques guadeloupéennes au Québec
Lecture by historian Monique Milia Marie-Luce on the little-known history of Guadeloupean domestic workers in Quebec.

The Kingdom Choir
This England-based choir, which performed at Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding, will take the stage at Place des Arts on Feb 19. / The first performance, to honour young people, will take place on February 1 in Quebec City. / In Rivière-du-Loup, visit the Papa Noël Sow shop to get into the festive spirit of Black History Month.

•Black History Month will take place all across Quebec from February 1 to 28, 2023.

To discover all of the scheduled activities, visit www.moishistoirdesnoirs.com »

Enjoy a few seconds of the Macella Skerritt performance that opened the press conference this past week.

LENA GHIO   

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