African Community Services of Peel Celebrates Black History Month

African Community Services of Peel Celebrates Black History Month

In the month of February, Communities across Canada participated in Black History Month events and festivities that honor the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities. The 2024 theme for "Black History Month" was: “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build”. This theme celebrates the rich past and present contributions and accomplishments of Black people in Canada, while aspiring to embrace new opportunities for the future. The theme aligns with the 10th year of the International Decade for People of African Descent and recognizes that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose human rights must be promoted and protected. African Community Services of Peel in Brampton, Toronto, Canada celebrated the Black History, in a very unique way.

African Community Services of Peel Celebrated Black History Month at Jim Archdekin Recreation Centre in Brampton Ontario with full of excitement and joy. South African,Zimbabweans,Kenyan,Tanzanian,Nigerian,Ugandan,Lebanese,Kenyan,Jamaica,Caribbean and other country, cultural Cloth wearing like African Dashiki or Kandoras dresses were the main attraction of Black History Month Celebrations. Some of the attendees Wrapped their head in African prints, others adorned their heads with a beautiful piece of fabric. It was simultaneously empowering and emboldening – a recipe for good looks. Some wore a turban, a headwrap cover their head and knots tightly close to the front or back of the skull depending on the style they were aiming for.Bold African make-up was also the important part during this event including Chunky African necklaces as well as some African print shoes with the colours that match their outfit.

Volunteers were excited and thrilled to give some of their valuable time and got busy to work on set up right in time hours before the event. Black History Month Event Flyer was quickly Passed along to friends and families. All Volunteers were encouraged to have an opportunity for them to volunteer within one of their community programs. African Community Services of Peel hosted an Information Session, and was honored to have Volunteers joined them. Officials looked forward to meeting volunteers to share about the incredible work they do at African Community Services. Together, they created positive change and built a stronger, more connected community. 

African culture, drumming and storytelling were also the part of the celebration of life, especially its cycles and seasons during this event. Everyone joined for an entertaining dance, and interactive storytelling. Black History Month  honored the contributions and achievements of Black Canadians and provided an opportunity to showcase the past, present and future of community culture and innovations. It was a time of education, reflection and celebration. Peel Region is one of Canada’s most culturally diverse cities and to reflect on that diversity and vibrancy which organized Black History Month created to spotlight talented artists, authors, musicians and more, amplifying the local voices and stories. Dinner, Dances, Model Show and Volunteer Appreciation were important of this event, Volunteer Appreciation Certificates were presented to the Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers by hard working Peel Regional Police Officers. 

African Community Services (ACS) is a registered not-for-profit community based charitable agency that provides newcomer settlement services to the Black/African community in Peel Region and the surrounding areas. Established in 1993, ACS has developed extensive experience and capacity to provide effective, confidential and culturally relevant programs that serve the settlement and integration needs of newcomers, immigrants, refugees, women, youth, seniors, and children from the Black/African community. 

Ms Wambui Karanja, is the Executive Director of African Community Services of Peelfrom March 1993 - Present. In the 1990's When she was struggling to get a job in Canada according to her Lawyer Degree back home, she had one wish in her mind to get the same Job but was disappointed as a new comer. She had a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Degree from Kenyatta University. Imagine the courage it takes and the anxiety that follows when you arrive in a foreign country where the only language you speak is not spoken, and you do not know anybody? Now Imagine you have your whole family with you or you are a single mother with her children or youth without family? How do you begin your settlement journey? She never wanted others to have the same challenges she faced. This is where African Community Services of Peel comes in. She decided to start African Community Services rather than following her Lawyer profession. She is a visionary, pioneer Lawyer who overcame racial discrimination to pave path for generations.

During her small speech she encouraged everyone to follow these things.'' Let us Celebrate our History, Reclam the History, Let the negative be forgotten, Let us be Assertive. We have the Right to be here with Respect and Validation.``. African Community Services has helped celebrate and preserved the history of Black people in Brampton across Ontario, Canada and beyond. Director Geoffrey Aura, Youth Outreach Worker said that the original primary focus of the facility was to celebrate history and heritage that had been overlooked for centuries. " Two hands are better than one", He used this Proverbs and many other African Countries Proverbs while taking the job of Master of Ceremony during this Black History Month Celebration Day Event. Volunteers were excited and thrilled to give some of their valuable time and got busy to work on set up right in time hours before the event. Officials looked forward to meeting volunteers to share about the incredible work they do at African Community Services. Together, they created positive change and built a stronger, more connected community.

African Community Services (ACS) is a registered not-for-profit community based charitable agency that provides newcomer settlement services to the Black/African community in Peel Region and the surrounding areas. Established in 1993, ACS has developed extensive experience and capacity to provide effective, confidential and culturally relevant programs that serve the settlement and integration needs of newcomers, immigrants, refugees, women, youth, seniors, and children from the Black/African community. African Community Services (ACS) has a goal, mission, the mandate for all community well being.

These are the Services provided at ANS: Newcomer Settlement Program (NSP), Youth Leadership Development Program, Community Wellness and Development Program, Women and Families Program, Children's Program, Senior's Program, Mental Health Promotion and Awareness Program, The Violence Against Women Program and Volunteer Program. Free Drinks and Refreshments were available at the event.  African Community Services Of Peel is located at 10 Gillingham Dr, Suite #308, Brampton, ON L6X 5A5. Website: www.africancommunityservices.org Tel : (905) 460 9514 | Fax: (905) 460 9514 (Report by Dave Jhamat 647 453 2752 jhamat7@yahoo.com)