The Fifth Annual Black History Month Showcase took center stage at Northwest division, offering guests an immersive experience of music, talent, and cuisine from Edmonton’s Black community. The event, marked by vibrant performances and flavorful food, aimed to highlight the traditions and customs of Edmonton’s Black Community while fostering community awareness and celebration.
“Everybody's having a lovely time. We are hosting a really good celebration here today. The food is flavorful, there's music, there's steel pans playing. We are here to celebrate not just legacy, but the future,” said Jacqueline Kanini from Crime and Trauma Informed Support Services (CTSS).
This year’s showcase placed a strong emphasis on Black youth initiatives, featuring performances by siblings Megan and Shawn Taja of Tajas’ Tunes, as well as author Keren Konan. Christie Pace from the Community Relations Section (CRS) noted the importance of youth engagement: “We're having youth come and share their initiatives and things that they're doing this year. EPS has partnered with the Black Coalition of Canada Edmonton chapter to sponsor the Joel Whittaker Award of Excellence. It's just another way to recognize his achievements and his hard work within the EPS as a Black member.”
Attendees not only learned about Black history but also participated in hands-on activities, including a steel drum lesson led by Danille George of All Things Pan. George shared the history of steel drums, recounting their origins as tools for communication. The APAM Drum Group continued the interactive learning with a drum lesson, culminating in a friendly drumming battle between Acting Deputy Chief Keith Johnson and a member of the RCMP.
Kanini says the event is important for building partnerships between police and community. “We want to acknowledge that, the layout of Edmonton looks very different and it's going to look much more different in 10 years’ time, in 15 years’ time. And the work we do today, celebrating Black history and Black members of our community matter in the work that we do. It shapes the work that we do for the better.”
Thank you to Community Relations Section for organizing this event and to all of our volunteers.
