Guelph Black Heritage Society announces new Wellington County chapter

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Guelph Black Heritage Society has announced that a new chapter has been formed in Wellington County.

The Wellington County Black Heritage Society (WCBHS) will expand the reach of Black heritage education, cultural programming and community engagement throughout the county, officials stated in a Sept. 9 press release.

The new group will build on the foundation and leadership of the Guelph group and will focus on preserving local Black history, celebrating community achievements and creating learning opportunities for residents across the county, the release states.

"We want people to know that Black history exists in every corner of our county," said Patricia Brown, chair of WCBHS. 

"Our goal is to reach communities throughout Wellington County, amplify local stories and create opportunities for people to connect, learn and celebrate together."

In an interview, Brown said the new organization is not taking away from the work of the Centre Wellington Black Committee, which organizes a Family FunDay on Labour Day weekend and stages its Awakened Voices Narrative during Black History Month.

“We are in no shape or form trying to take away from the Centre Wellington Black Committee,” she said, adding like Rotary Clubs and other service groups, different chapters work independently and also together on common causes.

“Their vision is different from ours,” Brown continued. “And our reach will be for all of Wellington County.”

To kick off the new organization, officials are holding a Community Meet and Greet on Sept. 15 at 6pm at the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce, located at 400 Tower St. S. in Fergus.

Here residents can learn more about the organization, meet its founding members, share ideas and explore ways to get involved.

Membership is open to every ethnicity, not just Black, Brown said.

Registration is available at https://simpli.events/e/wellington-black-heritage-gathering.

The society's first community event is on Oct. 10, when it presents the Calabash Harvest Festival at the Rockmosa Community Centre in Rockwood from 1 to 4pm.

This celebration of culture, community and the harvest season will feature cultural foods, artisan vendors, storytelling, drumming, steel pan music, beading crafts, face painting, henna, pumpkin carving, a reptile show, and entertainment by DJ Futcha Squad. Suggested admission is a donation of $5 per person or $20 per family. 

Brown has been a long-time volunteer with Sensational Elora and gained much experience organizing that group’s Pumpkin Days event, that has grown steadily over the years.

Brown explained that calibash is a type of squash grown in African countries that is used as food and its shell was historically used to make bowls, instruments and utensils.

“The festival is all about the harvest, and that’s what’s happening here at this time of year,” she said. “We’re starting small and hope to see the festival grow.”

For more information visit https://simpli.events/e/calabash-harvestfest.

More events, programs and opportunities will be developed in the coming months, officials say.

WCBHS "welcomes partnerships with local organizations, schools, businesses, cultural groups, and residents who share its commitment to building a more inclusive, informed and connected community,” states the release.