Tribute to the Legends of Reggae
Brampton’s Jesse Jones is putting on a huge reggae tribute event for Black History Month. He is the son of Denise Jones, who was an integral figure in Jamaican-Canadian music. She produced many acts, including fellow Bramptonian Exco Levi, and notably was responsible for bringing the reggae category to the Juno awards. She died in December at only 64 years of age, and now her son Jesse is honouring her and other reggae artists in his virtual event called Tribute to the Legends of Reggae. You can check it out here, including videos of past performances.
City of Brampton Events
The City of Brampton is celebrating Black History Month virtually this year.
Throughout February, the city will celebrate the numerous economic, cultural, and compassionate contributions that Brampton’s Black Community makes with several activities and events hosted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Residents will also be able to nominate individuals for Mayor Patrick Brown’s Making Black History Awards, which recognizes individuals in the community who are advocates, champions and innovators.
“Brampton’s Black community has done so much to make this country the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation it is today,” Brown said. “We are proud to offer a month-long calendar of events that acknowledge and celebrate Black History Month. By taking part in the important conversations and activities planned, we work to highlight important contributions of Black community members in our community, building a more inclusive city.”
Charmaine Williams, City of Brampton Councillor for Wards 7 and 8, said, “The Black African and Caribbean communities throughout our city contribute so much to Brampton’s vibrant cultural mosaic and our local economy. As the first Black woman elected to Brampton City Council, I am proud to join Council colleagues and staff in leading the way to acknowledge Black History Month in meaningful ways.”
This month’s events include:
- Sun Life Financial presents the Virtual Performance Series, a weekly performance series by local Black artists.
- Wellness hour hosted by local yoga instructor Matthew Bonas.
- Best and Black in Brampton Food Tour hosted by Azalea Hart.
- Panel discussion curated by Brampton’s Jones and Jones Productions, on topics such as staying creative during the pandemic, navigating your career, Black Lives Matter and strong Black leadership.
- Black Youth Leadership Conference
For more information on Mayor Patrick Brown’s Making Black History Awards and on all activities and events happening, visit brampton.ca/BHM2021.
Black History Month with PAMA
PAMA is also celebrating Black History Month virtually with online exhibitions and its PAMA Talks series.
Virtual Exhibitions
When Night Stirred at Sea: Contemporary Caribbean Art
On now until Feb. 21
This exhibition brings together works by several English Caribbean artists working at home (Trinidad and Jamaica) and in the diaspora (Canada, USA and the UK) to reflect on the breadth of contemporary aesthetic practices within the broader Caribbean community. The grouping of works explores a variety of urgent and common themes of identity, colonization as well as social activism and justice that connect all of humanity in our current global condition.
Our Voice, Our Journeys: Black Communities in Peel
On now
This exhibition is a celebration of one of many Black communities in the Region of Peel. It highlights the personal journeys of leaders and mentors from the North Peel Community Church congregation. Their photos and objects illustrate stories of immigration, resilience, and family life, and how they established a community of faith in Caledon.
Special Online Events
PAMA Talks: Our Voices, Our Journeys
Saturday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m.
Celebrate Black History Month and the resilience shared by one of the many Black communities of Peel in a group discussion about our newest online exhibition: Our Voices, Our Journeys. Join a panel of community members as they discuss the growth of their vibrant community around the North Peel Community Church, projects they have been working on to celebrate Black History on a wider scale and ways the community has stayed connected during COVID-19. Reserve your spot now.
Caribbean Connections: The Black Atlantic
Thursday Feb 25, 7 p.m.
Please join special guests from the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre Cynthia Dorrington, Site Manager and Graham Nickerson, Board Member. Learn stories linking Canada to the Caribbean and the Caribbean to the World. Reserve your spot now.
