Cultural Expressions for Change (CE4C) held its 18th annual Black Historical past Month celebration on Saturday, February 1, at Clark Richardson Collegiate in Ajax. The occasion, themed “Expressions for Change: Getting ready the Subsequent Era,” highlighted the achievements of Black Canadians and acknowledged neighborhood leaders making a distinction within the Durham Area.
Hosted by Kevin Carrington of CBC, the night featured keynote speaker Tyron Carter, a trailblazer in Canadian actuality tv as the primary Black winner of Large Brother Canada. His inspiring speech centered on perseverance, illustration, and breaking obstacles within the leisure trade.
The evening was full of dynamic performances, together with Yuru Capoeira, which showcased the Afro-Brazilian martial artwork that teaches self-discipline and respect. Tracy, a spoken-word artist from Oshawa, captivated the viewers with highly effective poetry, whereas vocalist Silllé, identified for her mix of Afrofusion, R&B, and soul, delivered a shifting musical efficiency. Silllé was just lately acknowledged because the Greatest Ghanaian-Canadian Act of 2024.
Different standout performances included Camille Bennett, a proficient vocalist from a household of singers, and violinist Jade Jarrett, initially from Dominica, who performs beneath the identify Enchanted Strings. Her set, mixing Soca, R&B, and extra, added a singular musical dimension to the occasion.
The spotlight of the night was the presentation of the Madiba Award, an honor established by CE4C to acknowledge leaders of African descent within the Durham Area who embody Nelson Mandela’s values of justice, equality, and neighborhood upliftment. This yr’s recipient, Gloria Small-Clarke, was acknowledged for her tireless work with the Durham Neighborhood Motion Group, the place she runs a meals pantry serving the Ajax space. A devoted advocate, Small-Clarke has made a long-lasting impression on the area, notably throughout the Black neighborhood.
CE4C is led by President Esther Ford and Occasion Chair Nicole Griffith. The group encourages the neighborhood to appoint deserving people for future Madiba Awards by visiting CE4C.ca.
The celebration aligns with the United Nations’ continued dedication to the Second Worldwide Decade for Folks of African Descent (2024-2034), emphasizing recognition, justice, and improvement.
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