The annual Black Excellence Summit sparked connections within Newfoundland and Labrador and attendees hope it can carry the conversation far beyond February — which marks the 30th year of Black History Month being celebrated in Canada.

Hosted by the Civic Roots Foundation, the event brought folks together from Feb. 20-21 in St. John’s for professional development opportunities, celebrations, panel discussions, workshops and performances.

“I think these types of events in St. John’s, they’re very necessary. I think it’s nice for people to see that diverse voice, they do matter. They are here in the province, they are here in the city,” Civic Roots Foundation founder Wendy Ihama told CBC News at a networking event at Memorial University’s Core Science Facility.

“It’s nice to see someone who looks like you be on a stage, and you can see yourself in that person,” she added.

‘I feel represented’

Seeing that representation in a room matters to attendees like Andrew Kagumba.

Kagumba opened the evening alongside Temiloluwa Opegbemi with a musical performance using drums, bringing together two different musical styles in their performance.

Kagumba is Ugandan and Opegbemi is Nigerian.

“We come from different parts of the continent, but yeah, our music blends styles from eastern and western Africa, and it’s so much fun blending these styles,” Kagumba said.

He was glad to be involved in the event. “I think it’s very important. I feel represented in this part of the country.”

For Laurabel Mba, an anti-racism diversity and equity consultant who was a panel moderator at the summit, the summit was an opportunity to connect is one of her favourite parts of Black History Month.

“You get to see the Black community show up and show out for each other,” Mba said. “We’re busy, we’re in multiple different industries, so when celebrations like this come together, we’re all in one place.”

It’s been a busy month for Mba, “I’ve been doing a lot of pushing to get the provincial government to acknowledge Black History Month on a provincial level,” she said.

“But outside of that, I’ve gotten to work with many municipalities and many private organizations who are doing the work on the ground to acknowledge the people in their offices, those in their communities” she said. 

WATCH | ‘I feel represented in this part of the country,’ says Andrew Kagumba:

Community leaders, conversations on belonging — this is the Black Excellence Summit

Memorial University played host to a wide range of people, with the goal of making Black communities stronger and more inclusive. The CBC‘s Madison Taylor reports.

Beyond Black History Month

Though February is almost over, attendees say it’s important to keep connecting all year round.

“The Black community has a lot to add,” said Kagumba.

“I think it’s important to keep the conversation going because we are here, and we have a lot to contribute.”

Acknowledging this presence year-round is important to Mba too.

“Black people exist more than just in February. We are part of the tapestry of Newfoundland and Labrador,” she said.

To Mba, appreciating community shouldn’t be confined to one month of the year.

“And you shouldn’t limit celebrating people to just one time of year. Give everyone their flowers all year round. Why not?” she said.

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