Raising awareness about Black History

By Dale Johnson Posted: February 10, 2016 6:00 a.m.

(l-r) Temitope Omoyefa, Sara Birama and Fartun Mohamud are helping to organize events for Black History Month at the U of R.
(l-r) Temitope Omoyefa, Sara Birama and Fartun Mohamud are helping to organize events for Black History Month at the U of R. Photo - U of R Photography.

This is Black History Month, and the U of R African Student Society has organized a number of events on campus to raise awareness, including guest speakers, entertainment and a fashion show.

“Black History Month is a time to showcase the struggles minorities face in Canada,” explains Fartun Mohamud, the President of the African Student Society.

“Black History is about showcasing the diversity of Black people here in Canada, and also the struggle of minorities in Canada and First Nation People. Many people assume that Black History Month is only for the United States of America, but that is incorrect,” says Fartun, a second year International Studies and Political Science major originally from South Africa.

This program is presented in partnership with the Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum, the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan, SaskCulture Inc. and the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation.

Among the events to mark Black History Month are two guest speakers on campus.   

On Thursday, February 11, at 6:00 p.m. in the RIC Theatre, Meka Okochi will be talking about overcoming adversity, and sharing pivotal stories as an African man in Regina. He is an alumnus of the U of R and ran for mayor in Regina in 2012.

On Friday, February 12, at 6:00 p.m. in the RIC Theatre, Cosanna Preston will talk about the importance of being inclusive and her experiences from Canada to Nigeria. She has masters of African Studies from the University of Oxford.

The final week of February will be entertainment week. There will be several local dance groups and a band that plays Caribbean and African music will perform.  There will also be a fashion show with male and female models wearing traditional clothing. There will also be African snacks for guest to enjoy.

The main event of Black History Month is “African Night” featuring African food and entertainment in the Multi-Purpose Room in the Riddell Centre, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, 2016.   

“People of all colors and cultures can come together and have fun,” says Fartun.  “The event is open for everyone, because we promote inclusivity and not exclusivity.”

For more information please contact Fartun Mohamud at k.alton@hotmail.com.