‘Mission accomplished:’ home of Nova Scotia’s first Black doctor gets heritage designation

Halifax regional council voted unanimously Tuesday to designate the former home and clinic of the late Dr. Clement Ligoure, the province’s first Black doctor, an official heritage property. Earlier Tuesday morning, prior to the vote, a rally was held outside City Hall in support of preserving the property. The rally was co-organized by members of […]
Black and African Diaspora degree program at Dalhousie may be first in Canada, professor says

A Black history professor at Dalhousie University says a proposal to expand the university’s Black and African Diaspora studies minor program into a full degree could make it the first program of its kind in Canada.
The current minor program started online in 2017 within the faculty of arts and social sciences. Isaac Saney, chair of the Black and African Diaspora Studies Degree Major Committee, is now working with other Black professors at Dalhousie on the final proposal for the full degree program.
“Then the idea came out,” Saney said. “Why don’t we have a major where somebody can come in and graduate with a degree in Black and African Diaspora Studies?”
‘Exemplary artist’ David Woods receives honorary doctorate from Dalhousie University [VIDEO]

“All of these stories had a consistent theme of an individual or an event of significance that had been ignored by history and by an accident had been brought to my attention, and through my passion and commitment to create an excellent work I was allowed to become a conduit for their public recognition to give them a second life.”
Closed-door meeting on Black women in leadership raises concerns for province’s only Black female political science professor

“It is not the role of the Liberal Party to reach into other people’s communities and determine what leadership looks like,” writes El Jones in letter to Andy Fillmore about meeting hosted by MP Marci Ien.
Dwayne Provo appointed Associate Deputy Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs

This is the first time government has appointed someone to the role to focus solely on the work of African Nova Scotia Affairs.
The Real Maritime King of the ring

JP Simms started dreaming of being a pro wrestler when he was eight years old and watching The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. Now, after years of training and matches, Simms found his success in the main event and more.
Black mother accuses Halifax police of racial bias after her child was bitten by a neighbour’s dog

A Black mother is accusing Halifax Regional Police of racial bias in the mishandling of a case involving her 12-year-old daughter Taizanah’zian, who was bitten by a neighbour’s dog.
Black community reacts to the appointment of a white Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs

In the days following the Nova Scotia provincial election last month, where the Progressive Conservatives (PCs) won a majority government but failed to elect any Black MLAs, the Halifax Examiner was the first to pose the question: Who will be the next minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs?
On Tuesday, that question was answered when Pat Dunn, PC MLA for Pictou Centre, who is white, was announced as the new minister for both African Nova Scotian Affairs and the brand-new Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives. Dunn replaces Liberal MLA for Cole Harbour, Tony Ince, who is Black.
Who will be the next minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs?

PC premier-designate Tim Houston has no African Nova Scotian members in his caucus to choose from for the job.
The long road to Emancipation Day

“Twenty-five years ago the Honourable Jean Augustine [the first African-Canadian woman to be elected to as a Member of Parliament] put forward a motion in the House of Commons to have February designated Black History Month. And at the same time, there were lobby efforts being made to have Emancipation Day recognized. So that’s how long this has been in the making. Over 25 years.”
Emancipation Day, August 1, marks the same day in 1834 when slavery was officially banned in all of the British colonies, including in what would eventually become Canada.
