Idea Exchange partnered with Rhythm and Blues, a grassroots organization supporting Black communities to host a Black History Month on Feb. 22.
The event included a community art project where children created drawings representing the day’s historical significance. A Black History Month trivia event attracted teens and young adults who answered questions about Black history in Canada. The event also featured Panwaves Steelband, a local family steel band, and Irie Myrie’s food truck, offering Caribbean cuisine.
This event celebrated the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians, providing an opportunity to learn about Black history and how it helped shape a multicultural Canadian identity.
Pamela Berry, the adult programming and events coordinator at Idea Exchange, said their Black History Month event is a community and family-focused event that reaches a large demographic.
“With many of our programs through Cambridge Public Library, we’re looking to create community partnerships, community love, and collaboration,” Berry said.
“It’s nice that [Idea Exchange is] highlighting Black History Month in Cambridge because this type of event is focused on Kitchener, Waterloo and Toronto,” Laura Castillo, an event volunteer with Rhythm and Blues, said.
“Many people still think that Black History Month is more of a U. S. sort of thing, which it is not. It’s a global thing. It’s all over the world, so it’s nice that we’re highlighting Black Canadians.”
Castillo said she wants the event attendees to learn about the Black population in Cambridge and create an awareness of organizations such as Rhythm and Blues that act as a safe space for the community.
She was excited that the library was chosen as the venue this year, as the event is typically hosted in the Galt area.
“It’s not just focusing in one area, but in other areas of Cambridge,” Castillo said.
The event featured Antonio Michael Downing, a local author, musician, and storyteller from Trinidad. Downing promoted his memoir, My Life of Blackness and Becoming, which shares his journey of self-discovery, identity and resilience, exploring themes of belonging and transformation.
Downing also did a reading of his book, Stars in My Crown, for children and hosted a discussion on his novel, Saga Boy, followed by a book signing.
Brittney Emsley, co-founder of Rhythm and Blues, said that Rhythm and Blues is trying to unite the Cambridge community and remind everyone about Black History Month.
“Our goal is to connect and ensure that everybody knows that Black excellence is important,” Emsley said. “One big part of every Black History Month celebration is the education and learning. ”
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