Some of Canada’s most celebrated Black artists took centre stage in downtown Toronto on Feb. 5 as Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA) hosted a Black History Month (BHM) showcase.
Held at the City of Toronto Archives, the show honoured the depth, resilience, and brilliance of Black Canadian music.
Featuring powerful performances by Jully Black, Liberty Silver, Divine Brown, Dru and Tanika Charles, the event brought together community members, music lovers and entrepreneurs for an evening that blended celebration and reflection on the impact of Black musical excellence in Canada.
Professional photographer Howard Prendergast was there to take the official photos of the event.
Prendergast said after working as an industrial engineering technologist in Calgary for six years, he decided to return to school for photography and chose Humber Polytechnic.
He said the photography program was an excellent fit for him, as he is “a technical kind of person.”
Prendergast said this event means a lot to him, as he typically volunteers his time, but this time, CBMA executive director Phil Vassell commissioned him for this event.
“So not only am I photographing the event, but I've set up a background, I'm going to do some portraits, particularly with the artists. They might want something a little bit more high-end for their archives," he said.
Attendees Jerusha Richards and Michael Dawson said they were thrilled to be there and had heard about the event from friends.
Richards said she thought having this showcase in the middle of BHM was amazing.
“Yes, it's really great,” she said. “I love that we're at the archives. I think that it's a great place for this event.”
Dawson said he was impressed with the turnout and was happy to be there.
“Oh, it's fantastic getting to know the history of African Canadians and also seeing the future,” he said. “I'm enjoying it a lot, and I wish all the very best to those who make this happen. God bless them.”
Jean Augustine was a special guest that night.
Augustine was the first Black woman to be elected to Canada’s Parliament as the representative for Etobicoke-Lakeshore. Thirty years ago, she presented a successful and historic motion in parliament for the recognition of Black History Month in Canada.
“We have to understand that we cannot write a fulsome history of Canada if we leave out the contribution of African Canadians to the building of Canada," said the former minister of state for multiculturalism and the status of women.
Augustine said young people need to understand why we have to support “the archivists, the museum keepers, the historians, the entertainers, the church leaders and the educators.”
“[They] gather the information that will fortify, affirm, and have us know who we are as African Canadians in this society,” she said.
Augustine joked that someone asked her why she chose the shortest and coldest month for BHM. She said she did not select the month. It was adopted because February “was already being supported south of us.”
She said the U.S. has been celebrating Black History Month for 100 years.
“And I say over and over, wherever I go, Black history is not just for Black people,” Augustine said. “Black history is Canadian history.”
Ontario Lt.-Gov. Edith Dumont was also one of the special guests.
“Since its launch, the CBMA has already done so much to connect the present and the past and to bring people together to celebrate the amazing history of Black music in Canada," she said.
Dumont congratulated the CBMA on their successful petition to have June proclaimed as Black Music Month in Toronto.
“This June, it presents a chance to engage in cultural diplomacy, highlighting some of the best of what Canada has to offer to visitors who will join us from across the globe for the World Cup,” she said.
Dumont said that she will be partnering with the CBMA next week to host material from their exhibition, Black Dance, Muted Melodies at Queen's Park.
“It will be viewed by hundreds of visitors, including many young students, encouraging a new generation to learn about the songs and the journeys of trailblazing Black musicians here in Canada,” she said.
CBMA executive director Phil Vassell interviewed musician and celebrity chef, Roger Mooking, on stage. Mooking is also a reality TV star, restaurateur, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
He regaled the audience with stories of his wide-ranging life experiences, successes and commitment to giving back to his community.
Mooking said he is blessed to do so many amazing things in his life.
"Love is the currency of the universe,” he said, sharing his life mission and mantra with the audience.
“I encourage everybody, just move with love, love only beyond this point, and your world will become immeasurable and unimaginable, but it’s hard," Mooking said.
Grammy Award winner Liberty Silver was introduced by Toronto MC DJ Mel Boogie as the seed who paved the way for so many artists who came after her.
Silver delivered a stirring performance, inviting the audience to sing and dance along.
Powerhouse vocalist and Juno-award-winner, Jully Black, the show’s headliner, immediately wowed the audience with her stunning presence, wit and style.
Black spoke thoughtfully about her life and the loss of her mother and led a rousing rendition of the song, This Little Light of Mine, where she encouraged the audience to sing along for someone they lost.
Black said she went to therapy for several years to help her to heal from childhood sexual abuse.
“I was tired of logging the trauma, the generational trauma, the prenatal trauma,” she said. “That wasn't my lot in life. I was done carrying it.
“Forgiveness is the only gateway to freedom,” she said before launching into the Redemption Song.
