Black History Month awards and cultural celebrations coming to Brampton

Events this weekend and all February long will celebrate Black History Month, honouring outstanding members of Brampton’s Black community.

Started 30 years ago, Black History Month honours the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities. Brampton has had its share of Black trailblazers, including Peel’s first Black police officer, who will soon have a street named in his honour.

Saturday will mark the start of Brampton’s Black History Month celebrations, starting with a raising of the Pan-African flag in Ken Whillans Square. The flag raising is at 4 p.m., and all Brampton residents are invited to take part to show “pride and unity,” the city says.

Then at 6 p.m., The Rose Theatre will host an evening of cultural performances, community recognition and special guests led by the City’s Black Empowerment Unit. The evening will include a keynote address by The Honourable Justice Irving Andre, a performance by Dance Caribe, and awards recognizing community leaders.

The free event will have food provided by Kejjis and Kendra’s Cuisine. Free tickets are available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis, the city says.

Brampton On Stage also has special programming for Black History Month, with Hype (an intimate R&B showcase blending live performance with artist stories) on Feb. 13 and Roots, Rock, Reggae (a “Docu-Concert” exploring the evolution of reggae music) on Feb. 20.