Regional launch of African Heritage Month Jan. 24 in Digby

Event to be held at Digby Heritage Center at 1 p.m.

An event will take place Thursday, Jan. 24, in Digby to mark the launch of African Heritage Month for Nova Scotia’s southwest region.

It will be held at the Digby Heritage Centre, 7 Birch St., starting at 1 p.m. with welcome and opening remarks by Digby Mayor Ben Cleveland.

The day’s program includes the singing of O Canada, as well as the Black National Anthem.

There will be an African libation ceremony and an overview of Black History Month.

The event will include the reading of a proclamation by Mayor Cleveland.

There also will be musical selections and a poster unveiling, although details regarding these had yet to be finalized as of late last week.

Among those slated to be on hand for Thursday’s event are Tony Ince, the African Nova Scotian Affairs minister.

Brenda Francis of the Black Educators Association will offer greetings, as will Joe Bishara, co-ordinator of race relations, cross-cultural understanding and human rights with the TriCounty Regional Centre for Education.

Michael Drew, vice-chair and tri-county rep of the newly formed Provincial Advisory Council on Education will be there as well, along with Mary Thompson, principal of the NSCC Burridge and Shelburne campuses and of the college’s Digby site.

Local political representatives from all three levels of government will take part, each offering greetings.

The African Nova Scotian Affairs office says the 2019 provincial theme, Our History is Your History, recognizes the unique story of African Nova Scotians and how this story is interwoven throughout the past, present and future of all Nova Scotians.

“The theme reminds us that when we all acknowledge and understand the truths of our shared history through awareness, co-operation, dialogue and learning, we will be able to facilitate positive change in Nova Scotia,” the ANSA says.

This year’s theme also aligns with the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent, with the goal of strengthening global cooperation in support of people of African descent as they strive for full inclusion in all aspects of society.