All posts on February, 2023

This year, Playmas Montreal Cultural Association is pulling out all the stops to celebrate women’s achievements and reinforce its commitment to women’s equality. On Sunday, March 5, the organization will be hosting its 13th annual “A Taste of Tea” to celebrate International Woman’s Day and six Black women will be recognized for their controbutions and achievements in politics and policies with the “Woman of Merit Award.” Among those being awarded this year are: Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine, social activist and educator and the first Black woman to be elected to Canada’s House of Commons; Mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa, borough mayor …

Gwendolyn Hendrickson Ramsey January 2, 1952 – February 3, 2023 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, aunt, and wife Gwendolyn (a.k.a. Gwenny) Hendrickson Ramsey. Gwenny went home to glory Friday February 3, 2023, peacefully at home with family at her side. She is survived by her husband Anthony (Tony) Ramsey, children Michael, Rodney and Vanessa Ramsey. Grandchildren Devon, Raina, Arya, Apollo Ramsey and Jeremiah Cain. Son-in-law Amos Cain and Daughters- in-law Jamie and Diana Ramsey. Brothers Alman Hendrickson, Vaneco Hendrickson and Anthony Huggins. Sisters Veronica Jerome, Venetta Tyson, Rita Harrigan, Lorna …

“I can’t speak for here but I know for a fact that in the United States, there’s a high correlation between low income, poor literacy, drop-out rate and jail,” so says Dr. Tanya S. Matthews, a research fellow at McGill University’s School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, pointing to the impact of misdiagnosing speech and reading capabilities in certain groups of students. The North Carolina-born speech language pathologist concludes that the abundance of proof from studies conducted in the US combined with anecdotal evidence lead her to believe that the situation is the same here in Montreal. Also, that students …

Fabienne Colas has long established herself as a powerhouse in the arts and entertainment industry. It’s an easy designation for the woman who created and manages seven festivals in Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, New York City and Port-au-Prince. Under her Fabienne Colas Foundation, she launched the flagship Montreal Haitian Film Festival in 2005, which grew four years later to what we now know as the Montreal International Black Film Festival. Colas then established festivals in other cities across North America and Haiti, all in her effort to promote and showcase Black filmmakers as well as Canadian and international cinema, art and …

Nompumelelo Moyo (LJI) Simeon Pompey is a well-respected educator and community worker whose commitment to those in his charge and to those around him has earned him recognition and acclamation. “Being acknowledged validates my time invested in trying to motivate people and when people recognize you want to do more,” says Pompey. At Dawson College, where he has been a teacher in Community Recreation and Leadership Training department for the past 18 years, his contributions and dedication to students and institution have elevated to the top shelf. In 2016, the Dawson College Legacy Club presented him with the Outstanding Teacher …

By: Dr. Jenilee-Sarah Napoleon, psychologist, Montreal Children’s Hospital Mental health stigma is a significant barrier for many. However, research has found that individuals from oppressed and marginalized communities are disproportionately more affected. One example of such a group is people from Sub-Saharan African descent. Historically, the minimization of mental health problems and the reluctance to seek mental health care in Black communities has often been attributed to viewing mental problems as personal weaknesses, which goes against the mentality of tenacity and self-empowerment that stems from centuries of systemic oppression and discrimination. One’s beliefs about mental illness are shaped by individuals’ …

Eleven year old, Chloe Fontin is looking straight in the face of promising career on the runways. After spotted on her first modeling gig at the Montreal Kids Fashion Week, the phone at home has been ringing off the hook by big-name fashion designers who want her to model at the upcoming New York Fashion Week and the Milan Fashion Week. Her mother, Carla-Monique Young says she is excited but she is also taking the developments with a pinch of salt. She says, while she is quite aware of the opportunities that are in front of her daughter at the …

Michael Farkas president of the Black History Month Roundtable, which organizes and coordinates activities to mark the celebrations points to the laureates of this year’s BHM calendar as a source of inspiration. “We would like to honor and recognize them for the hard, stimulating work they’ve done for society as a whole.” The long-serving community worker and activist who has been heading the Roundtable since 2009, says this year’s celebration, the theme of which is: “Out Of The Darkness, Into The Light,” also provides an apt opportunity for all Quebecers to share in the glory of Black history. “Come learn …

The No. 2 Construction Battalion, Canada’s first all-Black military unit is being commemorated for Black History Month by Royal Canadian Mint with a special Fine Silver Coin. In a statement the Mint recognized the efforts of “the hundreds of Black Canadians eagerly tried to enlist for Canada, but racism prevented many from joining their white compatriots on the battlefields overseas.” The No. 2 Construction Battalion was authorized in 1916, the largest Black unit in Canadian history comprising of 595 enlisted men and 12 (all white) officers. When they eventually made it to the frontlines in France in May 1917, they …

There’s a little house on North Street in Halifax, Nova Scotia standing today as a rental property but for Black Haligonians is a repository of history that must be protected. The house, was home to Dr. Clement Ligoure, a Trinidad-born super achiever who became Nova Scotia’s first Black doctor. Last month it was granted heritage status by the Halifax regional council after years of advocacy by the Black community for its protection. Dr. Ligoure’s story documents the intense racism that permeated Canadian society at various levels as strove to study, set up a practice and contribute. He graduated from Queen’s …