SOUND OFF: Celebrating Black History in Kamloops
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AROUND THE WORLD, the month of February is widely recognized as a time for celebrating Black history. Communities all across the globe pay tribute to Black and African culture through a multitude of ways. This includes events showcasing Black talent, educational opportunities that shine light on historical inequities of Black Culture, and so much more. As a community developed by colonial settlers, Kamloops has a well-known history of Indigenous assimilation, colonization, and genocide, and over time, has suppressed a great deal of the diverse culture it withholds. The inexcusable treatment of the Secwépemc People, who are the local Indigenous people of the Kamloops area, is an incredibly recent history that still greatly impacts the wider community as a whole.
Due to the colonial histories in the region, Kamloops has not always been a city that has encouraged diversity or held space for multicultural events, including Black and African ones; however, this is changing. As years have passed, the community has attracted people from all over the world to pursue opportunities such as post-secondary education, which ultimately contributes to a growing mosaic of diversity in the city. As Kamloops continues to expand and grow, it will continue to diversify. With this shift, it is particularly imperative that our community collectively honours fellow members from all backgrounds and walks of life. This is what collectively co-creating safe spaces in Kamloops entails. And after all, at the heart of its meaning, this is what community is truly all about.
Sally Martin with the Valid Dreams Foundation, a community champion in Black diversity, equity, and inclusion work in Kamloops, has partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Unique Get Together Society to organize a planning committee for an upcoming event grounded in honouring Black History and Black culture in Kamloops. Other local associations and organizations such as Thompson Rivers University, the Kamloops Food Policy Council, Kamloops Afro Films, Circle Studio, and Scotiabank are involved in the sponsorship and planning of the Black History Celebration Event as well.
The event is in celebration of Black excellence recognition and will feature Black and African cuisines, entertainment, music, panel discussions, and so much more! This will be a ticketed event held at TRU’s Grand Hall at 805 TRU Way on Sunday, February 18, 2024 from 4:30 p.m. onward. Tickets can be purchased on EventBrite.
