Celebrate the triumphs and remember the tragedies of African heritage

By Jon Tattrie - The Weekly News
African Heritage Month kicked off with a lively launch at Halifax North Memorial Library last week with a libation, live music and a listing of 44 free events happening throughout HRM in February.
The Thursday night launch celebrated three major firsts for Nova Scotians: present was Mayann E. Francis, the first black lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia, Percy Paris, the first African Nova Scotian to hold the office of minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, and Shauntay Grant, the first African Nova Scotian poet laureate for HRM.
Dolly Williams of the Black History Month Association unveiled the poster for African Heritage Month 2010, celebrating "Leading Ladies, Lasting Legacies."
"Each woman represented on this poster is known for her quiet, dignified strength and her unwavering commitment to the African Nova Scotian community," said Williams. "These ladies represent the many mothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters who are the backbone of the African Nova Scotian family."
One of those ladies was on hand for the unveiling: 90-year-old May Sheppard of Halifax. Sheppard has been a volunteer for more than 40 years, including as a camp cook for the Brunswick Street United Church, singing in the Northwood Church Choir and helping at Northwood Care. She was also a member of the renowned Portia White choir.
Kim Bernard got a standing ovation for her rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing, the black national anthem, as did Cindi Cain for two powerful songs from her own collection.
"During the month to come, Nova Scotians will celebrate the triumphs and remember the tragedies. We will share the lessons learned from the victories and the defeats. Together we will learn the names of giants, the brave men and women who stood tall and unbowed," Francis said.
She noted that this was her first African Heritage Month in residence as Nova Scotia's lieutenant governor. Francis, a Whitney Pier native, took up the post more than three years ago but just moved into Government House in December after the building completed extensive renovations.
"Whenever you drive by and see the lieutenant governor's standard flying the highest on the pole, you will know that its first black resident is living there," she said to cheers. "It is not my story; it is all of our story."
HRM police Chief Frank Beazley, members of the HRM council and Anton Smith, the new consul general of the U.S., were also on hand.
When a white speaker spoke about the importance of "your history," a voice in the audience quietly corrected her: "Our history."
As usual, Halifax Public Libraries is playing a central role in hosting the cultural celebrations. From books to films, hip hop to drum and dance, libraries across HRM will offer more than three dozen free events. Hip hop artist Hellafactz Tha Akdaviss will perform in Cole Harbour at 2 p.m. on Feb. 13 and Halifax North at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25.
Kojo will bring sounds straight from Africa, as the Sudanese refugees entrance audiences with the lokembe (thumb piano) at Keshen Goodman at 7 p.m. on Feb. 24. For a full listing of events, pick up a copy of the Library Guide, visit halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/ahmonth or gov.na.ca/ansa, or call the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs at 424-5555.
jon@jontattrie.ca