#africanheritagemonth

[shakabakaphotos]

Earle’s (on Crenshaw) – Now Open!

2017

[natashaiswriting]

African Heritage Month: We Are Still Here. Remembering. Reaffirming. Resilience.

Hello all Global Learning Ambassadors. I wrote an article about the African Heritage Month Event: We are here Remembering. Reaffirming. Resilience which had Dr. Angela Davis as a Keynote speaker. The article gives an overview of what Black History Month is all about (especially in Canada) and also gives a summary of Dr. Davis's session.  https://www.thesmujournal.ca/arts-culture/african-heritage-month-we-are-still-here-remembering-reaffirming-resilience 

[deepdance]

#WBAI is in its 2020 Winter Membership Drive and #FromtheSoundboard will have to do its part in regards to raising funds to make sure that this radio station continues to be a beacon of independent media and give voice to the voiceless. On Tuesday, February 25, @ midnight (that's Monday into Tuesday), I will offer film passes to the upcoming Black History Film Festival that's presented by the African Diaspora International Film Festival. #ADIFF #BlackHistoryMonth #AfricanHeritageMonth (at WBAI 99.5 FM New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/B84co5SACej/?igshid=12pltc7tn0k4e

[devesmatwawana]

Ta-Nehisi Coates over here just taking over Marvel’s power players. African Heritage Month in the graphic novel section 😂 #marvel #tanehisicoates #captainamerica #blackpanther #africanheritagemonth (at Halifax Shopping Centre) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8MCcR0H42v/?igshid=xx5wifwaxsq0

[romeroartwork]

Here’s my latest work, “Harriet Tubman” a digital portrait made with #AdobeFresco for #BlackHistoryMonth2020 #AfricanAmerican #AfricanHeritageMonth #CivilRights #UndergroundRailroad #Suffrage #Abolishionism (at Medical Lake, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8J1q0DheCA/?igshid=1wx6k26oycagb

[uwh-community]

African Heritage Month in Halifax

A conversation with HRM Youth Advocate DeRico Symonds

Every February, municipal employee DeRico Symonds spends time focusing on African Heritage Month in Halifax. He says it is something he feels is important, but not just in the second month of the year. “I think that [African] culture, heritage and background needs to become integrated and not just kind of put in a box over here. When February comes it’s African Heritage Month and then it’s done.” He acknowledges African Heritage Month plays a key role in educating everyone on African Nova Scotian issues, “So African Heritage Month definitely, definitely, important to me – but I’d like to see what happens in March, April, May, June.”

When asked what those issues are, DeRico starts with barriers to education for African Nova Scotian youth. “There’s known disproportionality of those on an Individualized Program Plan.” DeRico says students on an IPP are taught at a lower grade level with good intentions of getting caught up to their age group, but it doesn’t always serve them in the long run. When they graduate, many do not realize, they are automatically not eligible for university and the door to post-secondary education is closed.

Overcoming obstacles

In his work with African Nova Scotian teens, DeRico says he has noticed many young people are not seeing themselves reflected in the school curriculum. Adding he would welcome a more combined approach. “Rather than integrating African Nova Scotian history within the actual curriculum and integrating native and Mi’kmaq history right into the curriculum, you can take the Mi’kmaq class or you can take the African Nova Scotian history class, but there’s no euro-centric class, because the entire curriculum is euro-centric.”

Other issues that DeRico says are still prominent in Halifax include racism, discrimination and a disproportionate number of African Nova Scotians in the justice system. He says marginalized and under-served social housing remains problematic, “In certain communities they are deemed as food desserts, due to lack of amenities nearby such as grocery stores." Adding, “The people are dignified but the infrastructure in the community is not.”

Believing in promotion of all cultures, backgrounds and differences

“It’s been shown time and time again that when people with different views and different cultures come together amazing things can happen. I do believe that it’s the uniqueness and differences of people that actually unite us together,” says DeRico. Adding we all play a role, “Everyone has to be accountable for the well-being of everyone else. If we all operate on that notion then I think we would be a much more vibrant and positive place.“

Aside from his role as Program Manager for the HRM Youth Advocate program and a Girls United program, DeRico is also Program Manager with Souls Strong. A program that focuses on mentoring teens in North Preston. Additionally, he co-founded the Future Roots program, which helps teens gain valuable work experience and obtain certification training while helping their neighbors live well in their communities. DeRico does all this while working on a Masters degree in Counselling from Acadia University and holding a valued position on United Way Halifax’s Board of Directors. 

He says he always finds time for United Way Halifax because it is something he truly believes in, “The mission of United Way and the work that they do in terms of elimination of poverty is something that’s close to me. Being on the board of United Way and being a part of a bigger picture with a lot of individuals who collectively come together for the greater good is why I’m a part of the United Way.”

For more information on African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia click here. And if you haven’t checked out any of the great events happening for African Heritage Month there is still time! See the full calendar here.