Dear Editor,
Thank you to the people who participated in Richmond 2017, Black History Month events. At the launch, Roberta Price provided the territory welcome, while Mayor Malcolm Brodie read a proclamation to make February Black History Month in Richmond. We also saw the Canada Post's unveiling of the Mathieu Da Costa commemorative stamp for 2017 BHM.
Emcee Daniel Sheriff kept us entertained and on track. There were tributes to Jean Augustine who, in 1995, encouraged legislation to recognize February as BHM in Canada and Lt .Col. Robert Alolega, who paid tribute to Canadian veterans of African/Black descent.
Phyllis Adelyne States and Don Hardy serenaded us with soulful music. Alan Hill from the City of Richmond and Clay Tang from CHIMO Community Services and their staff added their expertise.
Light refreshments by The Butler Did It Catering provided a fine end to the evening.
I’d also like to thank volunteers Judy Hanazawa and Grace Boakye-Agyeman.
Thank you to Wendy Jang from Richmond Public Library, which hosted a variety of programs, including Hogan’s Alley: A look at an early black community in Vancouver, presented by Yasin Misago; the showing and discussion of Selma, by Media Lab; Lauren Burrows Backhouse’s presentation, Early Black Pioneers in B.C; Valin Marshall from Black History Awareness Society in Victoria and the Children’s Reading Groups, hosted by Cindy Kloos and Deepika Thaman.
Most of all, thank you Richmond for supporting these events and Canada 150, Richmond City Hall, Chimo Community Services, Richmond Public Library for making it happen.
Mary Wilson
Richmond
