A little rain didn’t dampen the spirits of those who attended the Emancipation Day Jamboree in Guelph on Sunday.
The Guelph Black Heritage Society welcomed guests outside Heritage Hall, who came to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people of African descent.
Alexis Charles, director of programming at the GBHS, explains this day also about acknowledging the strength and resiliency of Black people in Canada.
She adds this time of year is also when many of their members would participate in Carabana Toronto.
"We thought we would bring light to Heritage Hall," she said.
During the event, rain and thunder came and went, but volunteers and GBHS members worked quickly to pivot and maintain festivities.
Starting with a flag raising ceremony in front of Heritage Hall, there was a spoken word performance by Don Mahleka and Mariam Barrow read a book titled, Boonoonoonous Hair by Laura James. After that, residents of all ages participated in a Carribean soca dance session with Kween, the executive director of the GBHS.
“Thank you everyone for coming and keep dry,” said Denise Francis, president and treasurer of GBHS after the rain caused a short delay between programming.
Despite the weather, the event saw a steady turnout of residents, who enjoyed the music, food and performances.
"It's definitely important to come out and support the community," said one resident in attendance.
Val Friday, form Guelph, said this is her first time attending the event and is impressed with the work all the done for this event.
“Everything looks pretty good,” said Friday.
Lauris DaCosta and Marcia Smellie, both from Kitchener, said the GHBS have been doing great work within their community.
DaCosta is the past president of the African Carribean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region, while Smellie is the president of the Congress of Black Women Waterloo Chapter.
“We try to support them when we can,” said DaCosta.
In Ontario, August 1 has been recognized as Emancipation Day since 2008, but this year, the Government of Canada has voted to appoint August 1 as Emancipation Day across the country.
“We acknowledge and thank the efforts of community leaders such as Rosemary Sadlie r... and senator Wanda Thomas Bernard,” said Charles, “Who have advocated for the federal recognition of Emancipation Day for almost three decades."
While this is a free event, the GBHS was accepting donations for the Give A Cup Capital Campaign, which aims to help the society to pay off their mortgage payments.
The society is looking to raise $600,000 so they can allocate additional funding toward the #ChangeStartsNow Education Initiative and other community programming.
