The Centre for Youth & Culture wrapped up Black History Month with a special presentation at the Bradford Public Library.
The ‘I Have A Dream’ Social included the music of Bob Marley, speeches from young participants, a collection of inspirational quotes from Black leaders, poets and politicians - from Martin Luther King to Malcolm X; videoclips, and performances by the Youth Elevation Dance Troupe.
It was entertaining, thought-provoking, and moving.
Centre founder, Cheraldean Duhaney called the afternoon “short and spicy,” and emphasized that the ideas, the research and the presentations were entirely the work of the Youth, with a little help from the adults.
“I Have a Dream” celebrated Black achievement but didn’t flinch at Black suffering. As one young speaker noted, Africa was much “more than the negative stereotypes” – a continent of vibrant nations, cultures and economies, before the tragedy of slavery and its “400 years of pain, loss and bloodshed.”
And the end of slavery “doesn’t mean that oppression and hardship stopped,” the Youth noted.
One of the most moving segments of the afternoon was the video clip of young Zianna Oliphant addressing Charlotte City Council in 2016, after police shot and killed a 43-year-old African American man.
“It’s a shame that our fathers and mothers are killed and we can’t even see them anymore,” the child told Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Rogers, through tears. “It’s a shame that we have to go to that graveyard and bury them. And we have tears, and we shouldn’t have tears.”
Through their celebration of Black History Month, the Youth recognized “the suffering that our ancestors have been through, where we have come from and where we are going” – but also focused on Black achievement, and the potential for change.
They shared inspirational quotes from Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King, Muhammed Ali, Barack Obama and Beyoncé – and a clip of Kid President Robby Novak, who concluded, “Things should be better…. Isn’t it cool that we can change things!”
Duhaney thanked those who attended, and especially the Youth who put together the program, “our next generation of leaders.”
She noted that when she first came to Canada from Jamaica at the age of 18, “I experienced a culture shock.”
Suddenly aware of her Jamaican accent, for years “I didn’t talk. I was afraid to talk,” afraid of being laughed at and mocked, she said.
Now, “in Bradford, where we’re able to express and be who we are,” Duhaney has found a way to connect with and celebrate her culture and her roots, and share with others.
“It doesn’t matter who you are. It doesn’t matter what age you are,” she said. “You too can make a difference in this beautiful world,” simply by asking, “What can I do? How can I contribute to my community?”
Duhaney added, “That dream that you have, that vision that you have, don’t put it off to tomorrow. Do it now. You just have to believe in yourself… Just do it. The world is waiting.”
Among the guests in the audience was Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor Rob Keffer.
“It was a great afternoon,” said the mayor. “I was very impressed by everything – the videoclips, they were impressive.”
And he supported Duhaney’s call to youth, to step up, adding, “The world is yours to shape and make a difference in."
