Winnipeggers get head start on Black History Month with opening ceremony

Organizers of local Black History Monthevents encourageWinnipeggers to escape the cold snap with stories of Black resistance.

"We're going to warm you upwith all the entertainment, the education and the networking," said Nadia Thompson, chairperson for Black History Manitoba.

"To see everybody face-to-face again, it's going to be fantastic."

February is Black History Month, but the celebration in Winnipeg starts a few days earlywith the opening ceremony Sunday at 6 p.m. at New Anointing Christian Fellowship at 1425 Manitoba Ave.

The event will feature singing, poetry and a tribute to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Thompson is eager for areturn to in-person celebrations after the pandemic cancelled two years' worth of gatherings.

This month, organizers also have plans for a city hall kick-off, as well astrivia night, movie night, cooking class, youth debate and research challengeand basketball. Black resistanceisthis year's theme.

"We've touched on something for everybody," said Thompson in aninterview withhost Keisha Paul ofCBC Manitoba'sWeekend Morning Show.

While Manitobans have commemorated Black History Month for more than 40 years, Thompson said there's still work to do to advocate for Black people and acknowledge their contributions locally.

"It's a long time comingfor us to be recognized as an actual staple here in the city," she said.

"We've made a lot of progress, but we still have a long way to go."

Death of Tyre Nichols condemned

The Black History Month events in Winnipeg also providea safe space for tough conversations, such as those aroundthe death of Tyre Nichols, a Black man beaten by police during a traffic stopin Memphis, Tenn., earlier this month.

"It's a shame that we're still having to have these conversations. It's a shame that we're still hearing these news stories come out," she said.

"The way that people are being treated in the world as a human race, we should be embarrassed and we need to do better."

Brian Archer, who is apastor at NewAnointing, said the many achievements of Black people were builton the shoulders of their ancestors.

"As we celebrate Black history, what we're doing is essentially saying, 'Thank you, bridge builders,' and we're saying, 'We're promising you that you didn't build that bridge in vain.'"

He's encouraging people of all ethnicitiesto walk the bridge with their Black neighbours.

"It'slike having a party in your house and only your family is there. You want everybody else to join the party as you celebrate goodness."