African Heritage Month

Date Posted: Feb 1, 2023
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To the University community,

We are about to embark on a significant time of celebration in our community, as today marks the beginning of African Heritage Month. Cape Breton University is proud to recognize and celebrate this period and reflect on the importance of diversity and cultural awareness.

This year’s African Heritage Month provincial theme, Seas of Struggle – African Peoples from Shore to Shore, outlines the struggles people of African Descent faced from the shores of Africa to the shores of Nova Scotia. The theme recognizes the one thing that has remained constant in our province’s history – the Atlantic Ocean. It also highlights the long-standing history of people of African Descent in the development of Canada, and the vital role the sea has played throughout.

We are also pleased to feature the production, Controlled Damage, in the Boardmore Theatre’s 51st Season of Plays. The play explores the life of Canadian civil rights icon, Viola Desmond, and how her act of bravery in a Nova Scotia movie theatre in 1946 started a ripple effect still felt today. The production will run from February 28 – March 5, 2023.

Under the leadership of Dionne Romard, the Student Development Officer for Students of African Nova Scotian and Canadian Descent, and Reann Arsenault, the Student Development Officer and Youth Program Coordinator for African Nova Scotia Youth, we have several celebratory events planned on campus throughout the month. I invite you to visit cbu.ca/africanheritagemonth and cbu.ca/events to learn more.

At this time, I want to reaffirm our commitment to do more to encourage diversity and inclusion on our campus and in our community. I encourage you to take part in activities throughout African Heritage Month and celebrate, in a way that is meaningful to you, the value of diversity, inclusion and the African culture.

Have a safe and happy African Heritage Month. May you enjoy the celebration with family and friends.

Yours very truly,

David C. Dingwall

President and Vice-Chancellor