Nompumelelo Moyo (LJI) Many Montrealers might be familiar with his face and his reporting on CBC News, both radio and television, so much so that Kwabena Oduro is an emerging media personality whose focus on community and sports fuels his enthusiasm. Following a stand-out stint playing basketball at Heritage College in Gatineau, Oduro had to choose between his enduring passion for the game and a career in the media. Today, as he continues to hone his skill as a reporter and video-journalist at CBC, where he has been for the past two years, Oduro knows that he has made the …

As this is my first opinion piece for the Community Contact, I would like to give you a taste of some of the subjects I will be engaging with. But first, I must tell you a bit more about me. Born and raised here in La belle Province, I am un “Black ben ordinaire”. Born of an African American father and Quebecoise “de Souche” mother, I was adopted and raised in 3-Pistoles QC. (look it up on the map). I was the Black community there. During my “formative years” I was called or heard the “N” word so many times, …

Nompumelelo Moyo (LJI) According to Statistics Canada only 56.6 per cent of Blacks were somewhat willing to be vaccinated these findings are in line with surveys also done in U.S., Dr. Bryan Mukandi, an internationally recognised researcher and lecturer at Queensland University asserts that there are two main issues at play. “How people respond to the message is tied to the relationship the people have with the state,” says Dr. Mukandi. “The lack of responsiveness from the communities is an indication of a broken relationship between the people and the state, with the Black people feeling under served and betrayed …

By Nompumelelo Moyo (LJI) As the congregation of St Paul’s Anglican Church in Cote des Neiges welcome their new spiritual leader after the retirement of Archdeacon James Bennett, the CONTACT was privileged to get an interview with Montreal born Bishop Oge Beauvoir who has previously been working in Haiti expressed his excitement to be back home and working with the community. With a career spanning over a decade, Bishop Beauvoir might be new to the congregation but he brings a vast array of experience in his calling both as a spiritual leader and as an administrator, which renders him more …

By Nompumelelo Moyo (LJI) Keeton Clarke and Joel De Bellefeuile are two prominent Black candidates representing Bloc Montreal in the provincial elections on October 3. Viewed by many as a protest party, Bloc Montreal was founded this year in June, by Balarama Holness in retaliation to Bill 96. And although its chances of winning a seat seem limited, Bloc Montreal has bought a new conversation to the table as well as an increased number of Blacks and minorities into the political process. And with it comes the opportunity to bring minorities issues into the political conversation. Keeton Clarke running in …

By Nompumelelo Moyo On October 3, Quebec will hold provincial elections and political parties are already out in force in a bid to win the hearts of voters. There are 26 authorized political parties running, with most of them still trying to fill up the number of candidates. What remains to be seen is who will speak to the heart of the voters, especially at a time when the province is divided by Bill 96 and other controversial pieces of legislations that many think are targeting minorities. It’s important then for us to gauge Black and minority representation and the …

The GemStar Scholarship Fund, the brainchild of Gemma Raeburn-Baynes, president of Playmas Montreal Cultural Association, aims to support deserving Black youth in achieving their dreams through the power and pursuit of higher education. She calls this initiative her “70s Project”- giving back, 60 years later, to students in the Black Community. “I started my advocacy at nine years old in my native land of Grenada, teaching children on my veranda during summer break from my school year. I am so excited to now launch this Scholarship program to support Black youth in my community. It is my dream coming to …

By David Archer The other day someone said “don’t talk about mental health in our community.” Instead, they must have wanted to talk about how the brother of so and so has a drinking problem. “Mek wi chat bout di cousin of such and such how he smokes too much weed. You never heard about this one yet? About how the sister of the girl down di road got beaten by her new boyfriend, again?” This isn’t our problem. It’s about them. We say that time and time again. Although when people ask how we’re doing, we say “I’m fine” …

By Nompumelelo Moyo On Saturday August 13, the Zimbabwe Montreal Association (ZiMA) held its first fundraising dinner in the Noel Alexandra Hall at the Jamaican Association. The goal was to become a viable organization and eventually open their own multicultural center. It was a spectacular night that started off with electric house beats from South Africa and Zimbabwean and a captivating deco at the entrance of the venue that grabbed the attention of the stylish and elegantly attired guests. The tables were clothed in white linen and on them lay different, colorful delicacies from Zimbabwe these included cow feet, samp, …

By Gemma Raeburn-Baynes This year’s Spice Island Cultural Festival is back at Vinet Park in Little Burgundy on July 9. Organizers say the two-year hiatus gave them an opportunity to reboot and revive the event. As such, they say the festival looks promising As Montreal reopen to festivals and other outdoor events following the pandemic, the Spice Island Cultural Day Association of Montreal (SICDAQ), celebrating its 5th anniversary this year, is eager to bring live music back to Vinet Park after two years of holding the Festival virtually. Organizers are inviting Montrealers to “come experience the rich culture of Grenada, …