**** HRM Media Release
Celebrating African Heritage Month 2024
February is African Heritage Month. This year’s provincial theme, “Our Smiles, Our Joy, Our Resilience as African Nova Scotians,” encapsulates the enduring spirit and resilience demonstrated by people of African descent throughout the centuries in our province. Our smiles tell stories, share our joy, and symbolize our resilience. As we celebrate our heritage and culture, we also align with the final year of the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent (DPAD) 2015-2024, aiming to strengthen global cooperation and increase awareness for people of African descent.
Nova Scotia boasts 52 historic African Nova Scotian communities, each with a profound and complex history spanning over two centuries. African Heritage Month provides a special opportunity to celebrate the culture, legacy, achievements, and contributions of our people, both past and present.
African Heritage Month Provincial Launch
Tuesday, January 23 | 10 a.m.
Watch the livestream on YouTube.
African Heritage Month Opening Night
In partnership with the Halifax Public Libraries and the Black History Month Association, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion/ANSAIO welcomes employees and residents to kick-off African Heritage Month at the Paul O’Regan Hall. Enjoy musical performances by Owen “O Sound” Lee and Jupiter Reign.
Thursday, January 25 | 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Paul O’Regan Hall or watch the livestream on YouTube.
Flag Raising
Attend an African Heritage Month flag raising at Grande Parade before moving indoors to Halifax Hall for a proclamation reading by Mayor Savage.
Monday, January 29 | 10 to 11 a.m.
Grand Parade Square and Halifax Hall or watch on YouTube.
Other Events
Residents are also encouraged to take part in other events throughout the municipality celebrating African Heritage Month:
- City Hall will be illuminated in black, green, and red in honour of African Heritage Month, from January 25 to February 1 and February 11 to 17.
- Throughout February, the Downtown Halifax Business Commission will project light displays on the former Halifax Memorial Library Building at Grafton Park in celebration of African Heritage Month.
- The Pan-African flag will be displayed at both the Burnside and Ragged Lake Transit Centres, as the weather permits, in honour of African Heritage Month.
- Explore the African Heritage Month virtual portal, featuring programs that celebrate the African Nova Scotian community.
For more information, visit the municipality’s African Heritage Month website https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/diversity-inclusion/african-nova-scotian-affairs/african-heritage-month.
**** CNS Media Release
African Heritage Month Celebrations Begin
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Nova Scotia recognizes February as African Heritage Month each year to celebrate the dynamic culture and rich heritage of the province’s African Nova Scotian communities.
The official proclamation for the month was held at Province House today, January 23, with Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc and African Nova Scotian Affairs Minister Twila Grosse.
“Over the coming month, the Province will recognize leaders and moments in history that have defined the culture and heritage of African Nova Scotian communities,” said Lt.-Gov. LeBlanc. “We celebrate their indomitable spirits and strength, while recognizing that resilience thrives where there is accountability.”
African Heritage Month includes both commemoration of the past struggles and tragedies that have faced the African Nova Scotian community and celebration of African Nova Scotians’ unique and enduring contributions to the province to this day.
“As we celebrate African Heritage Month, we are reminded of the remarkable journey of our 52 historic African Nova Scotian communities and the various journeys of people of African descent who now call Nova Scotia home – these journeys are defined by resilience, wisdom and hope,” said Twila Grosse, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs. “We continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of African Nova Scotians are heard, their rights respected and their contributions celebrated not just during this month, but every day of the year.”
Events and celebrations will be held throughout the province. Nova Scotians are encouraged to learn more about the month and the events by visiting https://ansa.novascotia.ca/african-heritage-month
The provincial launch is available to watch at: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanNSAffairs and https://www.youtube.com/nsgov
Quotes:
“As we recognize the 40th anniversary of the celebration of African Heritage Month here in Nova Scotia, the theme selected for this year – Our Smiles, Our Joy, Our Resilience as African Nova Scotians – is embodied in the joy and pride that is felt when we share our history and culture – a culture that highlights the resilience of the Black Nova Scotian community that has survived and thrived over 400 years here in Nova Scotia.”
— Crystal D. Mulder, co-Chair, Black History Month Association
Quick Facts:
– the first Black History Month in Nova Scotia was observed in 1988 and renamed African Heritage Month in 1996
– the African Heritage Month Information Network is a partnership with several African Nova Scotian organizations
– there are 52 historical African Nova Scotian communities
– 2.4 per cent of Nova Scotians identify as African Nova Scotian
– 71.8 per cent of African Nova Scotians have roots in the province going back three generations or more
Additional Resources:
African Nova Scotian Affairs:
– website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/government/african-nova-scotian-affairs
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanNSAffairs
– X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/OfficeofANSA
Count Us In: Nova Scotia’s Action Plan in Response to the International Decade for People of African Descent, 2015-2024: https://ansa.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/dpad-action-plan.pdf
International Decade for People of African Descent: https://www.un.org/en/observances/decade-people-african-descent
