About Us
We’re not just the newcomers to the Island, we’re not just international students. We’re not just coming from other places, we have lived here and we’ve survived here a long time.
ABOUT US
How we came to be
The Black Cultural Society of Prince Edward Island (BCSPEI) was founded in 2016 because of the gap left by the dissolution of the Black Islanders Cooperative and the growing need for an organization to represent, support and advocate for the growing Black community on Prince Edward Island as well as the descendants of Black Islanders.
Original Board members, Scott Parsons, Kendi Tarichia, and Sarah Tamula started BCSPEI’s journey by securing a number of local partnerships to assist them in creating an annual focus on the recognition of Black History Month and on cultural project development for Charlottetown’s Art in the Open Festival.
New board members were selected in 2019 to continue the work. Tamara Steele, Chijioke (Ceejay) Amadi, Ikechukwu (Daniel) Ohaegbu, and Sarah Tamula have continued with Black History Month programming but have been able to increase outreach. They have been working to develop and expand the organization to create a solid, sustainable foundation so that more needs of the community can be met.
In January 2021, BCSPEI re-incorporated as a not-for-profit organization; secured an office in downtown Charlottetown; and former president, Tamara Steele, took on a new role as Executive Director. Currently, BCSPEI works with the central goal of #BuildingCommunity.
Photo credit: Oniel Kuku
Our Vision
Shaping the future by preserving our heritage, promoting racial equity, and creating partnerships that will assist in the development and success of the Black community in PEI
Our Mission
With love: to serve, uplift, advocate for resources, and provide services to protect and strengthen the development of PEI’s Black community.
Our Goals
- Support actions designed to improve and enhance the quality of life for the Black community of Prince Edward Island. (African descent, Caribbean descent, Latin American Descent, descendants of historical Black Islanders)
- Deliver services, programs, and initiatives to promote and advance racial understanding on behalf of people of African descent
- Create strategic partnerships with organizations and institutions to address systemic racism and social inequalities
MAKE A DONATION TO HELP
Build Our Community
Help us protect the place we live through teaching and awareness. Donate today to help us get one step closer.