African Nova Scotian Justice Institute to continue ‘invisible’ legal work with renewed funding
The man in charge of the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute says its legal work is largely “invisible,” but with renewed funding, it’s increasing its workload.
“Our role in shaping the law, and improving the law, and improving how the criminal justice system responds to and relates to Black people has already been substantial,” interim acting director Robert Wright said.
Festival for Black Nova Scotian filmmakers back on stage for this spring
A film festival created for Black Nova Scotian filmmakers is now open for submissions and its organizer hopes the event will go ahead without COVID restrictions for the first time since 2019.
The Emerging Lens Film Festival is now in its 13th year. Co-founder Shelley Fashan said the idea for the festival first came about in 2010 when she attended the screening of a documentary by East Preston filmmaker Tara Taylor, who eventually became Emerging Lens’ other co-founder.
African Nova Scotian Directory
The African Nova Scotian Directory (ANSD) is a service that connects people to the African Nova Scotian community online. ANSD offers site visitors the ability to search for or contribute to a comprehensive public database of African Nova Scotian points of interest, including, but not limited to, culture, food, business, spirituality, education, and music. The […]
YouTube series helps African immigrants find connections, community in Nova Scotia
A team of African immigrants in Halifax have created a YouTube web series to help keep other African immigrants informed on issues specific to their new community.
The show, which is called Community Update, was created by Gbenga Akintokun. Promise Akoi is the current host.
Community land trusts could mean more affordable housing for Preston, advocates say
“I don’t know that they’re entirely interested in community land trusts for all the community support benefits that come along with it. They’re really interested in it as a way to get affordable housing built. As long as you set yourself up to give government confidence, I think there very likely could be community investments in community land trusts to make these things happen.”
Halifax couple wins award for getting African Nova Scotian, immigrant children into soccer
A Halifax couple with African roots are being recognized for their work in getting African Nova Scotian and immigrant children, and families with financial barriers involved in soccer.
Oussama and Hadia Bedoui co-founded Ignite Soccer in 2020. Oussama is the president and head coach. Ignite was officially recognized as a club under Soccer Nova Scotia earlier this year. Oussama said Ignite has grown significantly in the last two years.
Group wants heritage designation for house of Nova Scotia’s first Black doctor
A local historian says the city should preserve a home where the province’s first Black physician, Dr. Clement Ligoure, operated a clinic and helped victims of the Halifax Explosion.
No More Excuses: Cecil Boutilier is trying to right his troubled past despite COVID and an overbearing parole system
Boutilier was on a hunger strike to draw attention to COVID rules, until he tested positive for the virus last week. Now, he says he’s advocating against obstacles put in his way of running his business.
Local Black-owned travel company gets funding to grow
“I thought that if more [Black] people could see themselves traveling around the province, then we would probably feel more comfortable to go to different paces or more inclined to want to visit,” says owner of Elevate and Explore Black Nova Scotia.
Six Black-owned businesses featured at Christmas at the Forum
Clothing, natural skincare products, and jewelry all offered by new vendors at this year’s show.