Black History Month celebrations begin in Manitoba
Black History Month doesn’t start for a few more days, but that hasn’t stopped Black History Manitoba from kicking things off early with a tribute to one of the world's greatest civil rights leaders.
The 42nd annual opening ceremonies for Black History Month celebrations in Manitoba is happening Sunday at the New Anointing Christian Fellowship, 1425 Manitoba Avenue.
Nadia Thompson, chairperson and program director for Black History Manitoba said this year's theme is "Black Resistance: Remember, Recognize and Educate."
"What we do is about remembering our past, recognizing those who have given up their lives … and to educate ourselves as to how our history affects our present and our future," said Thompson.
Thompson said they are thrilled to be back in person after two years of virtual events. "We want to start off the month with a bang," she said. "We've got dignitaries that'll come and say hello and greet everybody, we've got entertainment, we've got some food."
The event will also feature a guest speaker talking about Martin Luther King, Jr. and a tribute to Winnipeg's Pilgrim Baptist Church. "Just to recognize them for all that they've done, and to show them our support as being one of our oldest black churches here," said Thompson.
"They're a very unique and integral part of our history here and we want to celebrate them as well," she added.
Thompson said they are expecting around 200 people at the Sunday event, which kicks off a month of programming throughout February.
The month officially begins Feb. 1 with a special invitation-only breakfast with Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham, followed by a First Friday event at the Manitoba Museum on Feb. 3.
"We're basically going to take our outdoor summer event - which is our block party, were going to bring it inside," said Thompson.
She said the free event runs in Alloway Hall at the museum from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Friday.
"You're going to get some laughs, you're going to get a dance performance, there's vendors that are going to be participating," said Thompson.
Both virtual and in-person events are happening all month long, ending with the first-ever Winnipeg Jets Black History Night on Feb. 28, when the Jets host the Los Angeles Kings.
"Black history is a part of hockey history as well," said Thompson. "They have special guests coming to do presentations and to do the puck drop. And were hoping to have the black national anthem at the game, and some fun games and trivia too."
Thompson said Sunday's celebrations will be tempered by news out of Memphis about another black man killed by police.
But she said they will be talking about it. "We need to have those hard conversations, especially when it comes to justice and policing. It's an ongoing issue that has not improved," said Thompson.
You can find more about Black History Manitoba's schedule of events online.
- With files from CTV's Daniel Halmarson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.