BHM 2022 PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Black History Month: Black Cultural Society of PEI launches BHM 2022 calendar and theme – The New Black: Celebrating and Educating.
Tuesday, February 1, 2022. Charlottetown, PE – The Black Cultural Society of PEI (BCSPEI) has officially launched Black History Month to celebrate the various cultures that make up the Island’s Black community. Black History Month is held in February every year to celebrate Black heritage, accomplishments, and important events in the timeline of Black populations throughout history.
This year’s theme is The New Black: Celebrating & Educating. It was chosen to engage the community in a dialogue around defining or redefining Blackness in P.E.I. and setting goals for the community around important topics such as culture and people, health and wellness.
The New Black can mean taking care of self, each other, our queer community. It can mean existing with pride in our history and culture and who we are today, said Tamara Steele, the Executive Director of BCSPEI. “It’s about creating a dialogue about where we come from, what we contribute, and how all of that contributes to who we are, as individuals and as a community, today.”
Reequal Smith is the program coordinator, responsible for planning events and activities throughout the month. This year’s celebrations feature more events, storytelling, and conversations, she said. “Conversations that don’t happen often, that we are trying to speak out about to help others and to make a change.”
The signature events include panel discussions, lectures, and community chats where people within the community will speak about certain topics related to the theme, culture, heritage, and their lived experiences, she said.
“We will bring in members of the community to discuss topics such as mental health, creating new opportunities, breaking down barriers, growing and supporting local black businesses and artists, and having stronger representation in P.E.I.”
Linda Hennessey is one of the community members celebrating Black History Month this year; she will be joining BCSPEI to share stories of descendants of Black Islanders. Hennessey says, “I have been researching Black families and their history for almost 30 years. I am happy to share this information with the public.”
Other activities planned this month include lunch conversations about health and wellness, presenting quotes and facts about Black history on P.E.I., activity kits and storytelling for children, a film screening, and movie nights related to different themes each week.
For more information about Black History Month activities, visit https://bcspei.ca/ and follow on Facebook and Instagram @blackculturalsocietypei
BCSPEI is grateful for the financial support of Canadian Heritage and Innovation PEI for our BHM 2022 programming.
About BCSPEI:
The Black Cultural Society of Prince Edward Island (BCSPEI) is a not-for-profit organization whose goal is to support and advocate for the growing Black community on Prince Edward Island as well as the descendants of Black Islanders. BCSPEI’s vision is to shape 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.
BHM 2022 PRESS LINKS
CBC.ca, 5 Feb. 2022: Black History Month theme and more
Saltwire-Atlantic Canada, 10 Feb. 2022: Black History Month Launch
CBC.ca, 10 Feb. 2022: Black history content for schools for BHM 2022
CBC.ca, 11 Feb. 2022: Pan-African Flag Raising at City Hall
Saltwire-Atlantic Canada, 16 Feb. 2022: Redefining the Growing Black Community on PEI
Saltwire-Atlantic Canada, 18 Feb. 2022: BHM programming Looks at Community, Self-care & Wellness