For Immediate Release
February 1st, 2016
Mayor Crombie Marks Black History Month 2016
The following is a statement by Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie celebrating Back History Month 2016:
“On behalf of the City of Mississauga and Members of Council, I join with our community to mark Black History Month taking place in Mississauga and in communities across Canada, throughout the month of February.
“Black History Month is an opportunity for residents to pay tribute to the important, enriching and lasting city-building contributions African-Canadians have made as entrepreneurs, public servants, spiritual leaders, artists, and athletes, among so many other professions.
“Black History Month is also an opportunity to remember and reflect on the persecution generations of Black Canadians experienced. During the 19th Century many came to Upper Canada as fugitive slaves and free men and women, in search of new, safe and better lives.
“On February 8, Mississauga’s own Meadowvale Theatre will feature – African Stories Young People’s Edition: a musical journey about the people of Africville, one of Canada’s oldest black communities. The show will feature award-winning musician and composer, Joe Sealy.
“I also encourage you to drop by any one of our Mississauga Library locations. The Mississauga Library has a number of celebration publications, DVDs, and articles about Black history, that residents will find informative.
“Let me once again recognize the year-round work the dedicated team from Heritage Mississauga undertakes to capture stories, images, and artifacts dating back to early Black history in Ontario and specifically historic Mississauga and Peel County.
“A thoughtful and deeper understanding of centuries of Black history, will better allow all people to appreciate how fortunate we are to call Mississauga home – a city that celebrates and embraces the diversity of its people.”
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