Community Update – Winter/Spring 2017
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P2-9 / Dr. Wanda Robson P14 / Departing Board of / Chair and CEO Messages / Directors Member Sheila Acknowledgements Lucas-Cole P10-13 / African Nova Scotian P15-16 / Partner Profile - History Challenges Award Winners African Canadian Services Division Community Update – Winter/Spring 2017 5539 Cornwallis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia 902-407-3200 • www.dbdli.ca Dr. Wanda Robson After raising five children and retiring fromWhen a career as I a firstlab technician, saw the book,The ABC’s of Viola Desmond, WandaI was Robson amazed. decided to pursue I had a seen my sister Viola’s story reported in life-longnewspapers, ambition - to earn extolled a university by history professors and politicians degree. In 2000, at 74 years young, sheand enrolled human at Cape Breton rights University activists – but these Grade 2/3 students (CBU)at and William in 2004, graduated King with Elementary her told and showed it like never BA (Englishbefore. concentration). These childrenWhile she not only grasped the facts of Viola’s was at CBU, Wanda began to realize the story,significance but of her then sister, capturedViola it in words and images that can reach Desmond’s,and teach courage ina 1946 whole when new audience. I know Viola would join Violame challenged in thanking racial segregation these at students and their wonderful teachers, a New Glasgow theatre. This act of braveryPam has hadCaines a monumental and impact Beatrice MacDonald, for this unique and on Africanthoughtful Nova Scotian portrayal. history. We talk about the ABC’s as the basics, “All theI ever wantedsimple was anthings we learn in life. Well, that is what Viola’s acknowledgementactions were and apology all forabout my – simple, basic freedoms. The freedom sister’sto unfairlive treatment and love that day. and Never be accepted and welcomed at every level in my wildest dreams did I imagine that of society, whether it’s the main floor or the balcony. Dr. Wanda Robson Viola would be embraced as an icon of the Canadian civil rights movement.” Thanks largely to Wanda’s passionate and tireless efforts, Viola has received many posthumous honours. Wanda accepted an official apology and free pardon for Viola in 2010. Viola’s image has graced a Canadian stamp. Her portrait now hangs in Government House and there is a ferry named in her honour. In 2018, Viola’s image will appear on the Canadian $10 bank note. Fittingly, on October 27, 2012, Dr. Wanda Robson received an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from CAN $23.95 Cape Breton University. www.dbdli.ca 2 | Page Chair’s Message th Message from the Chair cont’d… 20 Anniversary of the BLAC Chair’s Message: Jocelyn DorringtonReport on Education Conference, the level of understanding of Nov. 14 & 15, the theme of teachers, regional educators, which is Reflecting on the Past, Desmond”.university Written professors by elementary and On behalfCharting of the the Board, Future. I’d like to schoolgovernment students foremployees. students, The the event congratulate Paul Ash, former DBDLI ABC’s of Viola Desmond illustrates board Member, who was recently the receivedbasic history very of positive Canadian feedback. icon and namedThis the is first an impor schooltant board event as we courageous civil rights advocate, Viola superintendentevaluate and of African discuss descent the path in Desmond.Our search for a full time Chief Nova Scotia.that has Paul led usbegins to where his new we roleare Executive Officer continues. We with thetoday Tri-County and where Regional we are School headed In partnershipare confident with that the we Nova will Scotia find an Board inin theApril. future. Departmentideally suited of Education candidate and for Early this Childhoodposition. Development, we have Finally,F inally,I am pleased we are tovery announce excited that officially published this wonderful and after a long and exhaustive search, the Jocelyn Dorrington about our discussions with important resource, which is now used DBDLI has purchased a building that by allSome Grade of 3you classes may inbe Nova aware Scotia. that in will becomeAcadia our University new home to offer in 2018. a WelcomeWelcome to to this our edition Fall edition of the of the early September, a judicial decision cohort in the Masters of Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Located at 5450 Cornwallis Street, we Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning We wasare pleasedrendered to that welcome required Dr. the Education in Counselling Institute Community Update are fortunate to have found a facility George Frempong, our new Director Newsletter.Institute Newsletter. I hope that I hope you thathave had organization to change its name. that allowsProgram, us to which remain is slatedin the North-to of Research. Dr. Frempong will lead ayou great had start an enjoyableto this new and year relaxing and that In accordance with the decision we end communitybegin in the while summer enabling of 2015. us to our research activities allowing us to yousummer were andable that to participate the start of in the and have changed our name to meet our current needs and future delve deeper into data that relates experiencenew school the year many has goneevents that took Delmore "Buddy" Daye Learning growth.The DBDLI will provide full directly to African Nova Scotian placesmoothly. over AfricanIt was a Heritage busy summer Month. for learners.Institute. The results will inform Have atuition great springscholarships and I look for upforward to 20 us as we hosted two major events. actions designed to positively impact to reconnectingstudents of Africanwith you descentat our from We’veThe first ushered was our in 2017inaugural with Annual some We are pleased to announce that those successful applicants to great advancements of our mandate, the outcomes of our learners. Report to the Community in June. General Meeting held on July 10. highlighted by our community the Institute is a co-sponsor of the the University program. engagement and publishing activities, whichWe are are passionate enabling usabout to reach the work morewe are of doingour audience and continue in relevant, to do. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: We are equally passionate about meaningful and sustainable ways. demonstrating an unprecedented OUR ROLE Thelevel African of accountability Nova Scotian to ourHistory Challenges were once again an community and making the As an Africentric Institute, the DBDLI creates overwhelming success. The quality andcommunity quantity aware of the of submissions what and how educational change and genuine exceededwe are doing, our expectations what challenges again we opportunities for learners and thisare year.facing The and Awards our vision ceremony for the communities of African ancestry to reach wasfuture. attended by students from their full potential. every region of the province. CongratulationsThe event was well to allattended of this year’sby Educational research is vital to achieving our vision. We conduct and award participants and recipients; members of the community. disseminate learnings from that research providing policy analysis that your submissions were inspiring. informs policymakers, educators, parents and the general public on TheseThen inChallenges August, in have partnership not only withraised how to best improve educational opportunities and outcomes for Nova the Nova Scotia Department of the bar on educating and engaging Scotian learners of African descent. ourEducation youth and and educators Early Childhood on African NovaDevelopment Scotian wehistory, hosted, but theyDr. are The Institute works directly with African Nova Scotian / Canadian producingNorma LeMoine. incredibly special results. organizations, communities, government partners, and educational Our publishing team recognized the institutions to identify, develop and implement educational and opportunity to more broadly share The three day seminar on language, community capacity enhancement policies, programs and services. lastliteracy year’s and submission learning for from children the Grade of We extend deep appreciation and thanks to George Borden for the 2/3 class at William King Elementary African descent, helped heighten donation of his beautiful artwork, on display at the DBDLI office. School called the “ABC’s of Viola 3 | 3 | Page Page CEO’s Message: Sylvia Parris The past few months have been exceptionally active for the DBDLI. I am proud that we have been able to lead and partner on some amazing events that engaged our communities and youth from across the province. The creativity and resulting work of this year’s African Nova Scotian History Challenges was amazing. The Award ceremony, held on February 24, hosted 500 attendees. It was an honour to have the Hon. Lt. Governor John Grant and Mrs. Grant, former LG Mayann Francis, Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard and DBDLI Board Members present the awards and burseries to the 40 Winners and Honourable Mentions. The ABCs of Viola Desmond children’s book has proven to be an incredibly successful collaboration with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. We hosted a celebration of the book recognizing its inspirational young authors and illustrators, and teachers at William King Elementary School on March 7, 2017. The students received a copy of the hardcover book, which was signed by Dr. Wanda Robson, who was present at the celebration event. The return of Coach Carter was held February 11-12. Working with several community organizations, we delivered a two-day event that held something for everyone. Coach Carter delivered his compelling messages at a variety of venues in both Halifax and Dartmouth to a cross- section of our community that included more than 300 youth, parents, teachers and coaches. His interactive and engaging style left its mark on those who came to experience his special brand of motivation. Our research activities continue to wgro . The invitation for membership in the African Nova Scotian Researcher Directory and African Nova Scotian Evaluator Directory is ongoing. The Researchers of African Ancestry Roundtable has developed into the Researchers of African (Black) Ancestry Network. This network is co-led by DBDLI and the James R.