All posts on 2020

Over-riding passion for human rights and Pan-Africanism Egbert Gaye “To tackle issues faced by the global Black/African community, I refer to the quote by Kwame Nkrumah: “The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart….” so it’s important for us to realize that liberating ourselves depends on recognizing, in the words of Dr. King, that ‘we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.’ As a humble student of our wise ancestors, I’m a fervent believer in recognizing …

In the midst of his tenth season as artistic director and 50th Anniversary celebrations of Black Theatre Workshop (BTW), Quincy Amorer had to pivot as the raging coronavirus blunted all options for what was expected to be a bumper season of mainstage plays, school tours, workshops and mentorship programs.Instead, like most leaders in the performing arts industry whose stages have gone dark, he has had to withdraw to his living room and strategize on ways to keep the theatre company relevant and ready to rebound from a truncated season. “The virus has crippled the industry, forcing us to postpone all …

Rosie Awori (LJI) The novel coronavirus, COVID-19 has been the biggest disruptor of 2020, changing our perception and the way we do almost everything. And the digital shift the new reality for many individuals and organizations, as seek out creative ways to stay afloat. And so it is for emerging musician/entrepreneur Aliah Guerra who has decided that the best way to maintain her consistency stay connected with her fans is by creating a mobile app. “I was supposed to be on tour in Europe, I was supposed to go to London, Paris, and Switzerland for 12 shows and then everything …

As Lydie Dubuission takes her place on the management side of Black Theatre Workshop, expectations run rife. Artistic director Quincy Amorer is as excited as he is expectant. “Lydie is a wonderful addition to the team at the workshop,” he says. “Because we’ll benefit a great deal from her artistic talent and mentality. She is coming in at the right time and she will help us grow artistically.”For her part, Dubuisson, who is just settling into the seat of artistic associate (two months on the job) at the theatre company also agrees that the timing is just right. “It’s really …

It truly was one for the ages… In 2019, just after Canadian Thanksgiving, I had a conversation with some people about the gradual, then obsessive preoccupation with Christmas once Thanksgiving celebrations here, then weeks later on the other side of the border take place, followed by the usual full-fledged dive into seasonal plans and what not…“Conditioning, that’s all…” someone said.“Just a way to celebrate making it through another year,” another chimed in.That’s how I see it too, I offered. Nevertheless, knowing that many people admit to not celebrating the yuletide season, at the conclusion of our tête-à-tête the popular consensus …

After more than a quarter-century standing in front of her class at Coronation Elementary School in Cote des Neiges, today, Ms. Betty Constant remains as passionate in sharing her love for the French language with her students as she was in September 1993, her first day on the job. And there’s a reason why she hasn’t left the neighborhood.“I love the community and the relationship that I’ve had with the children and their parents over the years. Also, they need representation, ” she says, switching effortlessly from English to French and back. She teaches the French Immersion kindergarten class of …

Rosie Awori (LJI) The balance of a youthful imagination and adult professionalism is crucial in captivating young readers. Latoya Belfon has learned this and more on her journey as an author. She says after nearly 20 years she has finally realized her dream of becoming and children’s author. “I started writing a long time ago, but I kind of sat on my book ideas for while in the meantime, going to school and living life,” Belfon narrates to the CONTACT. With her writing aspirations sat on the back burner, the young Montrealer went on to earn a Bachelor’s of Education …

Contact Staff Hailed as an “Honorary Matriarch” and a loving aunt, Aunt Catherine is described as “friendly, jovial and nice.” The thing that she loves best, up to today, is attending church as a devout Anglican. The Cathedral downtown has been her place of worship for decades and today her only deterrent is the dreaded Covid-19. Montreal was a much different city when Aunt Catherine landed here in 1947 but she was able to stake out a place here and open the door for a long line of family to follow in her footsteps.She worked for decades at C.P Rail’s …

Contact Staff Quebec must make a ban on random police stops mandatory, appoint a minister responsible for the fight against racism and develop a province-wide awareness campaign in order to combat racial prejudice and discrimination.Those are some of the conclusions drawn by the “action group” put together by the Legault government to tackle the issue of racism in the province. While Quebec is an open and inclusive society that has welcomed a growing number of immigrants from around the world, the province has a “moral duty to strive for excellence” when it comes to the fight against racism, the report …