All posts on 2023

As the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop on Aug.11th, global b-boys and b-girls engaged in activities which ranged from grafitti exhbits, b-boy parties and exhibtions as well as concerts all over the planet which culminated at a rap-music extravanganza at Yankee Stadium in the cradle of hiphop in The Bronx, New York. On Aug.11th the world touched down at “The House That Ruth Built” where legends like: The Sugar Hill Gang, Fat Joe, Lauryn Hill, Nas, Snoop Dogg and Run-DMC performed before thousands at an unforgettable event. But Montreal played a pivitol role in the international development of …

This inner city part of town is known to be an important former industrial crossroad for the South-West as the Lachine canal used to be the navigable pole for industries to provide work for a few black residents in the area of Little Burgundy and St-Henri borough. The train Companies always hired some blacks, that would become almost the best job they could get at the time. As they abounded here for freedom and opportunity of being able to get work and raise their family. The rich cultural heritage developed and remains present when you visit the Union United church, …

Prayer works ! Let prayer become a tool to build up and reconstruct your life! Prayer is so important and so powerful, yet how much do we pray? Some people say “I don’t know how to pray”, but prayer is simply talking to God. Though it may be simple, it is powerful beyond our human comprehension. Prayer to God can be a tool that we use to partner with God to see His will accomplished in the earth. To see His will accomplished in the lives of our children and loved ones. Have you ever heard the saying “prayer works”? …

It’s been said that grief is the price we pay for love… As you know, I’ve been a Neonatal ICU nurse and a Licensed Grief Counselor/Coach for several years. I’ve heard many heart-wrenching personal stories about grief and loss. I’m passionate about helping people learn more about grief because if you don’t grieve your losses, you will get stuck in your pain, impacting other areas of your life. We must remember that to truly begin healing, we must endure the pain of grief. I know that doesn’t sound like fun, but it is necessary. Grief is universal. We will all …

If we do not move with the times, sadly we will find ourselves left far behind As students return back to school, and become settled in their individual seat in the classroom, there remains a lurking issue that has remained unaddressed for far too long. STEM Education As a long- standing affiliate of the pedagogical profession I know and understand that if the interest of children are not piqued early the odds of them, once they enter high school, if they donot already like it or find something that they enjoy about it, they won’t go into STEM career fields. …

Dr. Alwin Spence Once again the ugly head of Racism was raised by none other than the highest court of the United States. Affirmative Action has been shot down, down, down. Perhaps it was not a surprise to many because it points to the injustice of the American system, and any acknowledgement of Affirmative Action is also the confirmation that injustice existed. You see the systematic screening of Black people from certain schools and colleges, and job opportunities, limiting their efforts to rise to the top is the indelible rule, written or just act out. Affirmative Action came into place …

James Emmanuel Skerritt James Emmanuel Skerritt, born 1941, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on September 6, 2023, at the age of 82. Mr. James Emmanuel Skerritt leaves behind his children Sharon (Brian), Frances, Stephen, Michael, and Jayme; his grandchildren Tatiyana, Jalen, Anthony and Selena; his sister Stella and his late brother William; his nieces Karen and Elouise; cousins John and Kenneth; and many other relatives and friends. The family would like to thank the Brossard (South Shore) CLSC staff for their support and devotion during his illness. The family will receive condolences on Friday, September …

The Island Fete in the west Island was not any ordinary food festival but a fusion of food, family fun and Caribbean culture on 2nd September in Pierrefonds. It was the first of its kind in the West Island of Montreal and it came together when Don Garret and Nicole Catwell from Tasty Touch—who have held many food festivals in Montreal—approached Akilah Newton from Overture with the Arts (OWTA), to bring the festival to the west Island. “When Tasty Touch approached Overture with the Arts to bring this food festival to the West Island, I jumped at the opportunity. OWTA …