Pan-African food and flag raising kick off Black History Month at UPEI

As Black History Month begins, we look at Charlottetown’s vibrant Black community, tracing its roots back more than 200 years. Maria Sarrouh reports.

Free, pan-African food was on the menu at the University of Prince Edward Island on Monday, as students marked the start of Black History Month.

A long line of students moved through McMillan Hall at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, filling plates with fried plantains, jerk chicken, rice and peas, and samosas prepared by local vendors, Boonoonoonoos and Out of Africa. The meal followed a Pan-African flag raising outside the Kelley Memorial Building.

Erica Kyalo, external vice-president with the UPEI Student Union, says a growing Black community on campus and beyond is helping build a stronger sense of belonging.

“We do feel that every space is a space for us to be welcome and feel included,” Kyalo said.

Prince Edward Island’s Black population more than doubled between the last two censuses, rising from about 825 people in 2016 to 1,815 in 2021, according to Statistics Canada. That number is expected to be bigger now.

It means more chances to gather and celebrate, says Reequal Smith, programs and events co-ordinator with the Black Cultural Society of Prince Edward Island, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

“It’s a breath of fresh air to be honest,” she said. “To see the numbers growing tremendously, you feel that, oh my goodness, I can have someone that I probably could be able to relate to, or they’ll know the stories that I’m speaking of or hey, we might even be from the same country.”

Smith added some people are still unaware of the Black community’s deep roots on the Island.

In a statement issued Monday, P.E.I. Premier Bloyce Thompson wrote that the Bog, a former west-end Charlottetown neighbourhood, was established around 1810 by freed Black slaves brought to the Island by Loyalists in the 18th century. Home to 200 residents, he wrote that most worked in domestic or labour-intensive jobs.

“Sometimes people are not knowledgeable that the Black community exists or that it has grown over the years, but it does,” Smith said.

Kyalo said awareness can lead to curiosity, and cultural understanding can spread one conversation, one event and one plate at a time.

“It’s very encouraging to see the community wanting to learn more about our culture,” she said.

“And also, getting excited to try our foods that are very, I would say, exquisite,” she added, laughing.

The reception is just the start of several Black History Month events planned on campus. A movie screening is scheduled for Feb. 9, in the Duffy Science Centre with the film still to be determined.

A cultural showcase is also set for Feb. 23, providing students the opportunity to display art such as poetry, dancing, singing or a presentation. The UPEI Student Union is also looking for vendors to sell goods during the event, with a dedicated space for baked goods, crafts, clothing and more.