Breaking News: Calgary Celebrates Black History Month with Full House
I’m overwhelmed and I’m just super grateful that they all here to support this cause. It’s a full house at this celebration for Black History Month in Calgary. This is the second annual Calgary Black Chambers Black History Month dinner. Money raised at tonight’s event will go towards the Calgary Black Chambers scholarship fund. We’re hoping to raise $50,000 for scholarships.
Calgary Black Chambers Legacy Scholarships
The Calgary Black Chambers Legacy scholarships are aimed at supporting black grade 12 students in Calgary who are planning to pursue higher education. The chamber has set a goal to award 10 scholarships, with five going to grade 12 students and the other five going to students already in university.
Creating a More Equitable Calgary
The main goal of the Calgary Black Chambers organization is to make Calgary the most equitable place for black people to live, work, and play in Canada. The co-founder and president, Chi Ilia Andule, expresses his excitement and gratitude for the overwhelming support received from the community.
“I was so excited. It brought tears to my eyes that people were willing to actually put their money where their mouth is to come support black kids and help them get to where they want to be financially,”
Art Auction to Support Scholarships
Artist Jola Adan and G is contributing to the scholarship fund by creating art pieces to be auctioned off during the event. As a Nigerian artist who now calls Calgary home, Adan emphasizes the importance of marking Black History Month. It not only connects him with his cultural roots but also allows him to engage with like-minded individuals in the community.
“It is so important for me because it makes me feel like home. It’s part of who I am, it’s part of my culture. I’m meeting more like-minded people, and it’s just a way to say, ‘Hey, we know these things. A lot of bad things have happened in the past, but we are being recognized, understood, and we have been equal,”
Shedding Light on Systemic Racism
Essence Martinelli, the lead planner for the dinner event, highlights the importance of bringing awareness to systemic racism that still exists in society. The event aims to shed light on the struggles that black students face in public and private schools. By addressing these issues, the Calgary Black Chambers and its allies hope to create a supportive environment where the black community can thrive and achieve their goals.
“It’s unfortunate, but systemic racism does still exist, and it’s really important for us to bring awareness to that. There are unfortunate struggles that students are still experiencing in public schools and in private schools. So, this is really shedding light on that to ensure that the black community can really achieve their goals and their hopes and their dreams in Calgary,” says Martinelli.
Conclusion
The Calgary Black Chambers Black History Month dinner has gathered overwhelming support from the community, highlighting the importance of creating an equitable society and supporting black students in pursuing higher education. Through the Calgary Black Chambers Legacy scholarships, the organization aims to provide academic opportunities for black students in Calgary. This event not only celebrates Black History Month but also serves as a platform to address systemic racism and promote inclusivity in the city.
By coming together to support these initiatives, Calgary residents are actively contributing to making their city a better place for everyone to live, work, and play.
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