Black History Month dinner to celebrate community and belonging

The African Caribbean Canadian Association of Northern Ontario (ACCANO) is gearing up for its annual dinner event in recognition of Black History Month, which is celebrated every February across the country.

Established in 2011, ACCANO provides new residents, primarily those of Black, African, and Caribbean descent, with opportunities to form new connections in social and educational settings.

Taking place at Grand Gardens North on Feb. 17, dinner attendees will enjoy a rich cultural experience with a diverse dinner menu, live music, dance performances, door prizes, and a cash bar.

ACCANO president and longtime Sault resident Dave Mornix told SooToday this year’s theme is “Building Community and Belonging” – a message he believes encompasses the organization’s ultimate goal.

“We settled on this theme because as a community, we are always looking at how we can make the community better – both for Sault Ste. Marie and the Black community,” he said. “When people come here for the first time, they’re disconnected, and if something like ACCANO isn’t here, they don’t have something they can connect to. If you don’t have something that gives you a sense of belonging, that’s when different challenges can happen.”

Working closely with Algoma University and Sault College, ACCANO volunteers and students will be involved in a number of presentations and events throughout the month of February to educate the public on Black history.

“There are cases where some of the young people aren’t aware of Black history,” Mornix said. “But since COVID and George Floyd, there’s been a more conscious effort by different organizations and community spaces reaching out to connect to ACCANO and to be present for different things. We’re hoping to build on that by improving our capacity to do more.”

While he believes the month is well promoted and received through the Canadian lens, Mornix admits there’s still room for growth when it comes to representation – particularly in positions of authority.

“I think Canada does a good job at promoting Black history, but I’d like to see more done on how we invite and how we have more black and brown leaders represented in our community,” he said. “We don’t have a lot of representation in leadership positions. If we did, it would be a true reflection, structurally, that we are actually embracing the change we’re talking about.”

Tickets for this year’s Black History Month dinner celebration are available for purchase here.

For more information about the dinner, read the news release below:

SAULT STE MARIE, ON – The African Caribbean Canadian Association of Northern Ontario (ACCANO) cordially invites you to partake in an evening of celebration as we honour Black History Month in Canada. Throughout February, communities from Coast to Coast to coast come together to commemorate the enduring legacy and resilience of Black Canadians, both past and present.

Join us for our annual dinner celebration on Saturday, February 17th, commencing at 5:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Grand Gardens North, located at 1324 Great Northern Road, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Immerse yourself in a rich cultural experience featuring a diverse dinner menu, live music, captivating dance performances, exciting door prizes, a cash bar, and more. Under the theme "Building Community and Belonging," we emphasize the importance of cultivating an intentionally welcoming and inclusive environment for all.

Proceeds from the dinner will contribute to supporting ACCANO Scholarship funds at Algoma University and Sault College, furthering our commitment to educational empowerment.

To secure your tickets for this memorable occasion, please visit our Eventbrite page https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/black-history-month-celebration-dinner-organized-by-accano-tickets-795405488227 and choose your preferred seating.

Established in 2011, ACCANO is a not-for-profit, non-political, and non-denominational volunteer-led organization dedicated to developing, promoting, and increasing awareness of our diverse cultures while fostering unity in our community. Our vision is to leave a lasting legacy of our cultural heritage by actively and equitably integrating our members into the economic, social, and civic development of Canadian society.

For additional information or interview requests, please contact us at [email protected].

Thank you.

Dave Mornix
President, ACCANO
Bringing People Together!
Website: www.accano.ca