Story by Corrine Moss and Clinton McKoy | Photos by Clinton McKoy
Over a hundred people gathered in the Marcus Garvey Hall SADACCA to celebrate the launch of Black History Month 2017, the theme this year is “Unity is Strength” marking the need for us as a community to come together and pool our resources in order to progress at a difficult economic time.
The audience of all ages and cultures welcomed the Lord Mayor and her Consort who endorsed the key message of unity and understanding. The keynote speaker was Bishop Dr Delroy Hall who gave an inclusive and thoughtful address about the importance of unity. He said understanding each other comes from “Holding ‘fear-less dialogues’, not just for one month of the year, but needs top priority”.
In true unity we celebrated 57 years of Nigerian independence with Dr Patrick Ezepue who spoke on the importance of education and Dr Samuel Okerenta who spoke on how things have changed in the 57 years. The hall was decorated in the green and white of the Nigerian flag. Some women wore traditional dress and others treated us to contemporary songs.
The entrance hall of SADACCA housed the ‘Hall of Fame’ exhibition featuring famous black role models. Black History Month is just about people from the past, but asks Dr Martin Luther King Jr.’s big question ‘What is your dream, because of them?’
