In February, Canadians are invited to celebrate the unique history and contributions of Black Canadians. This year, the Black History Month theme is, Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build, which recognizes the rich heritage, present-day accomplishments and bright future of Black people in Canada.
Today, the Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, announced nearly $1.1 million in funding for three Black-led and Black-focused organizations in Nova Scotia under the Events and Projects components of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program. This builds on more than $30 million the Government of Canada has already invested in dozens of projects supporting the Black community in Nova Scotia.
Imhotep's Legacy Academy at Dalhousie University is receiving $829,570 over three years (2023-25) to support its project, Canada-Wide Out of School Time Experiential STEM Activities for Underrepresented Youth. Serving youth in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, the project aims to establish a national network of extracurricular or after-school programs for Black, Indigenous or Latin youth that focuses on STEM, confidence building and personal development. The Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative is receiving $228,300 for its Here/Now: African Nova Scotian Multi generational Film Project. The Halifax Black Film Festival is receiving $35,000 to support its 2024 festival.
Those investments build on the commitment made by the Government of Canada to help Black communities reach their full potential in Canada, through the endorsement of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, which runs from 2015 to 2024. The initiative is aimed at combatting anti-Black racism and discrimination, promoting equality and empowering Black Canadians. Earlier this month, the Right Honorable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, announced the extension of its UN Decade efforts to continue making transformative investments in Black-focused initiatives until 2028.
Organizers of events, which celebrate the history, culture and accomplishments of Black communities in line with the goals of the UN decade or Black History Month, are encouraged to explore prioritized funding through the government's Multicultural and Anti-Racism Program.
In Nova Scotia, this year's African Heritage Month theme is, Our Smiles, Our Joy, Our Resilience as African Nova Scotians. The province has more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities with a long, deep and complex history dating back more than 400 years.
