First African Festival in Vancouver to tackle race and culture

Vancouver'svery first African Descent festival launchedin ThorntonPark Friday.Organizers hope to reclaima once-thriving Black community in the city.

JaneWanjiruis originally from Kenya. She now lives in Vancouver but sometimes struggles to feel like she's part of a community.

"In Vancouver, there reallyisn'ta Black or African community.We just kind of all walk by ourselves,"Wanirju said.

She says this festival is an exciting opportunity to express and connect withAfrican Vancouverites.

"I hope to gain a connectionand just a feeling that we are really not alone, " she said.

Organizers say this is more than a just a festival, but a continuum of Black history makingin the city.

KayodeFatobais the artistic director of the festival.

"This is more of a movement.It's a movement that is part of a century-old movement," Fatobasaid.

He says Thornton Park,which isacross the street from the Via Rail Station, and the surrounding areawas once a hub for the African community.

"Hogan's Alley was sort of the first settlement of African Americans who came during the gold rush," he said.

That alley is theunofficial name for Park Lane,a T shapedblock that ranfromMain and Jackson Streetin between Prior and Union Streets.

Most of Hogan's Alley was destroyed before1970 during theconstruction of theGeorgia Viaduct.

Fatobasays thecommunity living therefought for their rights, better living conditionsand even built a church. Hesays the African community in Vancouver needs toreclaim a physical space again.

He noted that in Vancouver,there isChinatown, Little Italy,The Punjabi Market area and many other neighbourhoods that reflect specific cultures,but saysonedoesn'texist for the African community, making it hard to get a foothold economically.

"When you are looking at Vancouver where I am a Black person, and I'm living in an Indian communityand want to start a business... the chances of me having a very successful business in that community requires a lot of effort," Fatoba said.

He and others hope the African DescentFestival will be a tipping point for those trying to build identity and a stronger presence in Vancouver.

The festival wraps up on Saturday.