Black History Month and Kickoff Brunch

     

The beginning of the Black History Month season generally begins with the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in the U.S. and formally in Canada with the Ontario Black History Society annual kick-off Brunch – this year to be on Sunday, January 30, 2011. The OBHS Brunch is a time to bring specific focus and honour to those who have made a difference in the past and in building our community today. Tickets are still available for the Brunch, so please join us! The OBHS appreciates the tremendous support provided through our generous sponsors and thanks all who have assisted, in particular TD, RBC, UNESCO, TDSB, PwC, Citytv as well as Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture.



The Brunch will be held at the historic Old Mill Inn with Cityline host Tracy Moore and will feature an African Marketplace as well as a sumptuous meal, engaging speakers and delightful performances. Keynote speaker will be Thando Hyman Aman, principal of TDSB’s Africentric School – and students will provide the anthems; special speaker will be Margarett Best – the sole African-Canadian Member of Provincial Parliament. Professional musical performances will be provided by Diana Braithwaite, George St. Kitts and Eddie Bullen. Among the dignitaries to attend will be the Hon. David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Michael Ignatieff, MP and Leader of the Liberal Party and Canada’s newest appointee, Senator Don Meredith.



To mark the 15th Anniversary of the National Black History Month declaration – a process initiated by the OBHS, Jean Augustine will be awarded the Daniel G. Hill Community Service Award – the highest award offered by the OBHS for her role with Black History Month. This award was suggested by former OBHS board member Judge Monte Harris to honour the legacy of one of the founders of the OBHS, Dr. Daniel G. Hill. Selected previous awardees include the historic settlement of (North) Buxton and South Africa’s Nelson Mandela.



The Official OBHS Black History Month poster will be launched and it always features outstanding persons of note to African-Canadian history, heritage and culture. However for this anniversary year, an additional special tribute will be made to several who have served over a lifetime and/or supported the efforts of furthering Black history – among them (former) Deputy Chief of Toronto Police Keith Forde, (former) York Regional Police Chief Armand Le Barge, (former) Mayor Barbara Hall, Rella Braithwaite, Connie Prevost, Colin Rickards, Aileen Williams (and perhaps some surprises)…some builders of our community through their dedication, research, leadership, example or generosity of spirit.



In conjunction with Heritage Toronto, the historic plaque dedicated to the first Black woman editor in North America – Mary Ann Shadd will be unveiled.



An exceptional young person will be awarded an educational scholarship through the OBHS and PriceWaterhouseCoopers at the Brunch. To bookend the month, the OBHS Leaders of Tomorrow event will take place at Oakwood Collegiate in Toronto on Feb. 28, 2011 (in partnership with TDSB)



New this year also, to mark the 15th National Black History Month Anniversary and to reflect the UN International Year for People of African Descent, the OBHS will launch BIFF – the Black International Film Festival (funding pending from InterActions). A preview screening will be held as a part of Harbourfront’s Kuumba Festival on Feb. 5th with Black Mother, Black Daughter. However, the BIFF launch will take place on Sunday, February 6th at 2:00 p.m. at the ROM with a screening of The Making of a Judge by producer Linda Carter. It is about her father, George Carter, this country’s first Canadian-born Black judge and who is also an OBHS board member. Other BIFF screenings will take place at the ROM or NFB. Other screenings included in BIFF include Fezeka's Choice in cooperation with the South African Consulate General.



Back to the Brunch – for 2011 Canada Post’s Black History Month Commemorative Stamps will feature Carrie Best known as the editor of The Clarion – her descendants will join us for the unveiling AND the other stamp will feature baseball hall of famer – Fergie Jenkins who will join us in person!!!

Black History Month and Kickoff Brunch

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