Nanaimo African Heritage Society

Nanaimo African Heritage Society congratulates Bill Duncan with a lifetime achievement award for his work as a humanitarian and human rights worker at the Nanaimo African Heritage Society 21 year annual black history gala dinner. The theme this year was "Unity". The dinner was held on 29th February 2020. We feel blessed that it was right before the pandemic. Pictured left is Bill Duncan with his daughter Colleen Duncan and granddaughter Madelene Duncan. And on the right picture is Bill Duncan, Shalema Gantt President of the Nanaimo African Heritage Society, Len who is board member of the society and Bernadette who is a society member. Read more about Bill Duncan in the Parksville Qualicum Beach News.

Oh Happy Birthday Canada

Modern Day Pioneer, blazing the trail for the young folks!

#influencialpeopletuesday Carrie Best Carrie Mae Best (née Prevoe), OC, ONS, LLD, human rights activist, author, journalist, publisher and broadcaster (born 4 March 1903 in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia; died 24 July 2001 in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia). Sparked by incidents of racial discrimination, Carrie Best became a civil rights activist. Co-founder of The Clarion, one of the first newspapers in Nova Scotia owned and published by Black Canadians, she used the platform to advocate for Black rights. As editor, she publicly supported Viola Desmond in her case against the Roseland Theatre. Best used her voice in radio and print to bring positive change to society in Nova Scotia and Canada.

Who to watch Canadian/ American Entertainers Rachael Crawford She began her acting career as a teenager in Toronto. Throughout her career she has been in several movies and television series such as Traders, When Night is Falling, Pale Saints, and The Book of Negroes. Crawford is best known for her performance in Rude, which is the first Canadian feature to be produced, written and directed by African-Canadians. She portrayed Maxine, a window dresser who is depressed after having an abortion and losing her lover. Crawford received her first Genie nomination for best supporting actress. For her other work, she has received multiple Gemini and Genie nominations.

Who to watch Canadian/ American Entertainers Enuka Okuma Born in Vancouver, British Columbia and of Nigerian descent, Enuka Okuma has an impressive resume. She is a five-time Gemini Award-nominee, a 2013 Canadian Screen Award nominee for best supporting actress in a drama program or series, and appeared in over 45 television shows! Her most notable work is portraying detective sergeant Traci Nash in Rookie Blue from 2010-2015.

In Loving Memory Aretha Louise Franklin She was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist. Franklin began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father C.L. Franklin was minister. At the age of 18, she embarked on a secular-music career as a recoding artist for Columbia Records. While Franklin's career did not immediately flourish, she found acclaim and commercial success after signing with Atlantic Records in 1966. Hit songs such as "Respect", "Chain of Fools", "Think", "A Natural Woman", "I Never Loved a Man", and "I Say a Little Prayer", propelled her past her musical peers. By the end of the 1960's, Aretha Franklin had come to be known as "The Queen of Soul". (March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018)

Tânia Amaral Tânia is an African dancer, choreographer, teacher, student, Pharmacist, traveler and enthusiastic person. She introduces moves and rhythms with special emphasis on their value and how to use them through Afro Fusion Belly Dance. This form brings together dance from oriental African countries with the rest of Africa, including the Alphonse Tiérou technique, to celebrate unification vs segregation. It is a celebration of the body. She has already studied with so m...any remarkable names In different fields and in the field of Oriental dance, Fusion, American Tribal Style, Tribal Fusion Belly Dance, Cabaret, Indian Fusion Belly Dance. She had the opportunity to study with so many great International teachers like: April Rose, Abigail Keyes, Ariellah, Ashely Lopez, Bindu Bolar, Catherine De Séve, Carolina Nerichio, Donna Mejia and others. See more

#influencialpeopletuesday Lincoln Alexander He was a Canadian lawyer who became the first black Member of Parliament in the House of Commons, the first black federal Cabinet Minister (serving as federal Minister of Labour), the first black Chair of the Worker's Compensation Board, and the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1985 to 1991. He was the first person to serve five terms as Chancellor of the University of Guelph, from 1991 to 2007. Alexander was also a governor... of the Canadian Unity Council. In recognition of his many important accomplishments, 21 January has been celebrated as Lincoln Alexander Day across Canada since 2015. See more

Who to watch Canadian/ American Entertainers Lakeith Stanfield He played the character "Logan King", the supporting antagonist of the 2017 horror/thriller movie "Get Out". A member of the Order of the Coagula allied with the Armitage Family, he occupies the body of Andre Hayworth (a friend of Chris Washington, the film's protagonist), while his original, true body is unknown.