Black History Month roundup

Windsor-Essex has been celebrating Black History by hosting events around the city to praise these achievements of prominent black figures and give a voice to future leaders. 

Black History Month is an annual celebration of black figures both past and present throughout the month of February.

At the University of Windsor, students celebrated Afrofest from Feb.7 to the 13. 

Afrofest, which started in 2006, focuses on the black experience while marking the importance of black life on campus. 

Josh Lamers, who served as coordinator for this year’s Afrofest, currently studies law at the University of Windsor. He is also a community organizer and activist with focuses on anti-black racism in youth and the education system.

Lamers said in the past, “Afrofest was an inauguration of an important moment and having a conversation about anti-black racism.” 

But this year, Lamers said he wanted to focus on addressing the conversations that were not being heard.

“Afrofest should really address the educational and community organizing aspect of black life beyond the same old conversations we have and really start to provide black students, staff, faculty, and community with substantive and critical conversation on black life in Canada,” said Lamers. 

Other events happening throughout the city include tours through the Amherstburg Freedom Museum and Sandwich First Baptist Church and the Black History Tea.

The final event to end Black History Month is the second annual Good People Unity gala, hosted by The Good People United Against Racism and the Wakanda Outreach Centre. This year’s gala will take place on Feb. 29 at Caesars Windsor.

Marc Taylor, the event coordinator and community activist, said the inspiration for the Good People United Against Racism organization came from the breakthrough film Black Panther.

“The whole purpose of the Good People Unity gala is to showcase and bring together individuals from all diverse backgrounds, creed, colour and beliefs, to come together and take a stand against racism,” said Taylor. “We believe that by acknowledging and recognizing individuals, businesses and organizations within a community that promotes diversity, advocating against racism, and speaking up against it says one simple thing- That they are for equality, justice and totally against racism.”

Black History Month has come to an end but the impact it has left on many people will last beyond February.