Former MP for Etobicoke Lakeshore Jean Augustine, who was instrumental in establishing Black History Month in Canada.
There are a number of events taking place in our community in February to recognize
Black History Month.
Black History Month would not exist if not for local resident, MP and community
activist Jean Augustine, who was instrumental in establishing the month in
Canada.
Augustine, in 1995 as MP for Etobicoke Lakeshore, introduced a motion at the
request of the Ontario Black History Society that February be recognized in Canada as
the official month of Black history. The motion was passed unanimously.
It would the first of many political and community feats for Augustine.
She served the community for 13 years from October 1993 to January 2006 and was the
first Black woman to be elected as an MP in Parliament.
Stamp bearing former Ontario Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander.
She served under Prime Minister Jean Chretien with distinction winning
four consecutive elections until she decided to move on to new challenges.
She founded the Mimico-based Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s
Empowerment, on Portland Street, which has helped hundreds of girls between the ages
of 7 to 17 with programs in STEM, arts, life skills and building their self-esteem.
The Jean Augustine Centre on February 3 will be holding its 9th Annual Black History
Month Celebration at the Assembly Hall, at 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive, from
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be prizes, food, music and dramatic performances. For
more call 416-253-9797 or e-mail info@jeanaugustinecentre.ca
To launch Black History Month a bust was unveiled last month at Queen’s Park to
honour the first Black MP and Ontario Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander.
Alexander served in the Canadian Air Force, returned home to Hamilton to become a
lawyer, ran successfully for politics before being chosen to be the Queen’s representative.
Bust of Lincoln Alexander that was unveiled for Black History Month at Queen’s Park.
Black History Month activity is also taking place until February 29 in a Celebrating our
Diversity ‘Black Excellence,’ a future to build at the Etobicoke Civic Centre, at 399 The
West Mall.
The program will take place in the Council Chambers and Board Meetings room, and will
be launched on February 3 from 11 a.m. Residents are invited to share their stories and
there will be cultural foods, entertainment and
vendors. Contact 647-328-7669.
On February 8 there is Humber Music Presents Reverberations II, a celebration of
music of the Black Diaspora featuring Humber Music’s Gospel Choir, African
Rhythm ‘n Jazz and Rhythm ‘n Soul Ensembles.
The late Martin Luther King Jr. giving a speech back in the day.
That show starts at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of ‘B’ Building of the Humber Lakeshore
Campus, at 3199 Lake Shore Blvd. W. Tickets are required and can be ordered at
Eventbrite. Contact: Dewi Minden at Humbermusicdegree@humber.ca or visit
https://reverberations-ii-humber.eventbrite.ca/
And on February 25 there is a Black History Month Carnival Edition taking place at the
Small Arms Inspection Building, 1352 Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga, from 11
a.m. to 6 p.m. Experience the rich culture and traditions of the African diaspora
through music, dance, and food. Featuring live performances by talented artists to
interactive workshops and games. Contact 905-615-4860 or e-mail
small.arms@mississauga.ca