GUELPH – The Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS) will celebrate the launch of the Black Heritage Reclaimed Project on Oct. 27 at 6pm.
GBHS founding board member Denise Francis conceptualized the project.
“There is an absence and erasure of Black history and culture in Guelph, Wellington County and Canada in general,” Francis wrote in an email.
This project was years in the making and includes:
– Guelph community underground railroad quilt code mosaic;
– “Our Stories. Our History. Our Heritage” history of BME Guelph church booklet;
– historical video series;
– Wellington County driving map;
– City of Guelph walking tour;
– Heritage Hall tours; and
– augmented reality exhibits.
The latest phase of this
project is the changestarts.now.ca digital archive.
Watch videos of past events, learn about historical members of the Black settler and immigrant communities, take a virtual tour of the Heritage Hall.
Listen to the “Nicky Dread” podcasts, hosted and produced by Shane Philips, from Fergus.
Nick “Nicky Dread” Taylor, a native of Guyana, hosted the “Crooked Beat by Nicky Dread” radio shows for over 40 years on CFRU Radio.
The Caribbean community has been an important part of culture in Guelph/Wellington for over 60 years.
Taylor was an important figure in community radio and shared his love of reggae music with the world.
Organizers ask people to join the GBHS in celebrating the resilience, achievements, and cultural heritage of the Black community in Guelph and Wellington.
“Together, we can preserve our shared history, promote inclusivity, and foster a greater understanding of our collective past,” GBHS officials state.
Black Heritage Reclaimed solidifies Francis’s legacy as a leader and visionary in our community.
Her contributions, passion, energy and love for her community will never be forgotten and these projects and the Heritage Hall will stand for many years to come.
The project launch will take place at Heritage Hall – 83 Essex Street, Guelph.
The event includes a performance by the Shane Philips Band and the unveiling of the Underground Railroad Mosaic Quilt Code Augmented Reality exhibit.
This project was made possible with the support of the Government of Canada, Guelph Community Foundation and EXAR Studios.
There is no fee to attend.
To register visit showpass.com.
For more information, call 519-837-2519 or email info@guelphblackheritage.ca.
