This year’s month-long celebration of local Black excellence will begin with a focus on local youth to inspire them and emphasize the importance of education and leadership.
This year’s month-long celebration of local Black excellence will begin with a focus on local youth to inspire them and emphasize the importance of education and leadership.
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The first Black Youth Expo being held Feb. 1 at the WISH Center in Chatham is a mashup between a career fair and an inspirational workshop, said Doug Robbins, a member of the Black Excellence Awards and Gala committee that is organizing the event.
He said Chatham-born basketball star Miranda Ayim has been booked as a speaker.
“She’s a three-time Olympian who will be coming to do a fireside chat to inspire young kids,” Doug Robbins said.
He added Ayim will talk about her success in the sport and her drive to succeed.
Another special guest will be North Buxton-born and raised author Craig Shreve, whose latest novel African Samurai has received critical acclaim. He will be speaking to youth about his novels.
Black Excellence Awards and Gala co-chair Michelle Robbins said after the success of last year’s inaugural event, the expo was created because “we really wanted to try to encourage youth and do something for youth.”
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Co-chair Shannon Prince added they already have been involved in doing some Black youth programming with various local schools.
“We need to continue that so it doesn’t get lost,” Prince said.
She added the goal of the expo is to make youth aware of opportunities available to them.
The free event, which runs from 9 am to 4 pm, is open to anyone to attend, organizers say.
Michelle Robbins said there may be youth who don’t feel comfortable attending something in a school environment so this is “an opportunity for them to do something outside of that school setting.”
Doug Robbins said booths are still available and is an ideal event for post-secondary institutions and companies that may want to show off the DEIJ (diversity, equity, inclusion and justice) intentions of their business.
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For more information on a booth, contact [email protected].
OTHER EVENTS
The Black Excellence Awards and Gala organizers have plenty of other events planned to celebrate Black History Month. They include:
- Feb. 1, Kiwanis Theater, 7 p.m. – An Evening with Shelton Brooks that will celebrate the artistry and music of the North Buxton-raised, internationally known entertainer. The show will also feature local entertainment. Tickets are available at www.cktickets.com.
- Feb. 2:1 p.m. – A 60-minute live tour of the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History in Dresden. For more information this event and other tours, visit www.heritagetrust.on.ca.
- Feb. 3.1 p.m. – The launch of the book, In The Light of Dawn: The History and Legacy of a Black Canadian Community, by Dresden author Marie Carter is being held at the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History.
- Feb. 3.7 p.m. – Stand By Me: Century of Black Music and Its Influence, is a candlelight concert being held at St. Andrew’s United Church in Chatham, featuring Bryan and Shannon Prince, Camryn Dudley and Denise Pelley accompanying the St. Andrew’s Church choir.
- Feb 22, 6 p.m. – Jubilant: A Celebration of The Soul, being held at the WISH Center in Chatham will feature a soul food dinner and dance. Tickets are $40 and available on Eventbrite or in-person at the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum.
- March 1, 6 p.m. – The Black Excellence Awards and Gala at the Retro Suites Hotel in downtown Chatham. The formal gala will be the crowning moment of Chatham-Kent’s Black History Month. Tickets are $100 and available on Eventbrite or in-person at the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum.
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