Tamara Tynes after being crowned the inaugural Miss Black Canada, Aug. 30, 1998. Photo: Tamara Tynes Powell.

1st Miss Black Canada crowned 25 years ago this week

25 years ago on this date in Toronto I became the 1st Miss Black Canada. At age 18 no one expected this Scotian girl would take home the crown but I got the judges with my public speaking. Contestants would ask me where I was from as they were from the islands or African countries. Had to give them a history lesson about African Nova Scotians (We Been Here 400 +). Scotian for the win! ?✊?

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New union for Black artists launches in Nova Scotia to fight for fair wages, more protections

The founder and president of a new union for Black artists that launched this week says its mandate is to support Black talent and fight for fair wages, unlike local unions from the past that she says were “flawed from the beginning.”

Tara Taylor said the Union of Black Artists Society (UBAS) will have collective agreements for artists in theater, film, television, music, and fashion. 

“It’s for anyone that is interested in the industry. So, either you join with an interest and we train you to do what you want, or you join with credits and then we put you to work. It should be as simple as that,” Taylor said.

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Ryan "R$ Smooth" Somers

DJ R$ $mooth celebrates career as host of longest-running Black music radio show in Atlantic Canada [VIDEO]

The longest-running Black music radio show in Atlantic Canada recently celebrated its 25th year anniversary on the airwaves.

Ryan Somers, aka DJ R$ $mooth, has been hosting $mooth Groove$ on CKDU 88.1 FM since 1998. The show, which airs every Sunday from 5pm to 8pm, broadcasts out of the Student Union Building on the campus of Dalhousie University.

“I always think of the show as like a home base, like no matter what’s going on… most people can hear me that Sunday,”

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Promise Akoi & Gbenga Akintokun

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. 

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René Boudreau, founder of Elevate and Explore Black Nova Scotia onboard the Black Excellence Boat Cruise in Halifax. Photo: Instagram / @elevateandexploreblackns

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.

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