Building on the success of its inaugural anti-racism summit held last year, Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS) is set to host the second annual installment next month.
The #ChangeStartsNow Anti-Racism Summit runs from May 12 to 15, bringing together speakers and presenters to address racism and issues affecting BIPOC communities in an effort to educate the community and empower people to dismantle racism in its various forms locally and beyond.
“There is still more work that needs to be done in our community. Systemic racism still exists and we need to draw attention to issues that are affecting the BIPOC community,” said GBHS president Denise Francis in an email.
“In addition to providing educational opportunities, we are also providing a time for healing and celebration because this work is heavy and we need to express joy as well.”
The hybrid model summit features a series of free and ticketed events offered online and in-person.
Free events include “BlPOC Community Safe Space” on May 12 at 6 p.m. featuring facilitated discussion of issues affecting BIPOC communities in Guelph and Wellington County, as well as Waterloo Region, and “Family Art Session with A. Decker” on May 14 at 10 a.m. (in-person only).
The prior is limited to BIPOC-identifying participants in order for “members to feel safe, heard and seen,” a news release explains. Register here to take part.
Limited space is available for the art session. Register here to save a space.
Numerous ticketed events will also be held. They include a de-escalation workshop, panel discussions, keynote address with Selam Debs, Layla Staats and Justin Reid, and more.
A “Freedom Fete” is slated for May 14, celebrating music, dance and innovation as an ingrained part of the Black legacy. That event will include a tribute to Nick “Nicky” Dread, a longtime CFRU volunteer and programmer who died last month.
Addition information about the #ChangeStartsNow Anti-racism Summit, including a full list of events, can be found here.
“We are hoping people get a better understanding of our challenges, we continue to do this work because we want to make a difference and make changes for the next generations who are coming up,” said GBHS president Denise Francis of what she’d like to see achieved through the summit.
“We hope that we see everyone come out to the summit, the conference is inclusive for all. People of all races, colours and creeds can engage with and benefit from the anti-racism movement.”
The theme for this year’s summit is “Our Stories. Our History. Our Heritage.”
“There is an erasure of Black history and heritage in our area and Canada in general. We are doing our part with our initiatives like this summit, historical videos and booklet to draw attention to our stories and amplify the voices of the forgotten,” said Francis.
Last year’s inaugural summit saw about 200 passes sold, which Francis said exceeded expectations for the event’s first year.
Funds raised through the summit will go toward GBHS’s #ChangeStartsNow educational initiative.
