‘It’s a wonderful mix of community and grassroots events’: African Heritage Month kicks off in Nova Scotia

Crystal Garrett chats with the CEO of the Black Cultural Centre about the importance of African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia.

African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia this year is titled “Strength in Unity: Moving Forward with Purpose, Prosperity, Power and Progress.”

“This year’s theme really speaks to the aspects of community unity,” said Russell Grosse, the CEO of the Black Cultural Centre in Cherry Brook, N.S., in an interview with Your Morning Atlantic’s Crystal Garrett.

“The fact that Nova Scotia had 52 historic Black communities and how those communities created a reasonable life and contributed to society was through the fact they were unified.”

Events to celebrate African Heritage Month are planned across the province.

“This year a lot of towns, cities and municipalities across the province are holding lodges and proclamations. It’s a wonderful mix of community and grassroots events to celebrate the culture,” Grosse said.

Grosse added that the Black Cultural Centre is also featuring a national traveling exhibit on its second level about the business of slavery in Canada.

“We welcome everyone during the month of February to take stock and to realize the long serving Black community that served in the province of Nova Scotia for over 400 years of history. Think about the theme and think about how we can all become allies and we can become unified as one people.”

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