In its 30th year, African Heritage Month in February is celebrating the extraordinary achievements of young Nova Scotians of African descent as rising stars in their communities.
Lt.-Gov. J.J. Grant, Premier Stephen McNeil and African Nova Scotian Affairs Minister Tony Ince were joined by members of the African Heritage Month Information Network today, Jan.
28, to unveil this year’s African Heritage Month theme, Rising Stars: Celebrating Our Youth.
“African Heritage Month is a chance for people of African descent and all Nova Scotians to celebrate and learn about the province’s rich African Nova Scotian culture, and to reflect on what it means to have extraordinary young people leading our communities,” said Premier McNeil. “The rising stars of the African Nova Scotia community are showing us that hard work, dedication and the willingness to help others can have a tremendous impact on our society.”
This year’s theme features the extraordinary achievements of young people who are leading in communities across the province and inspiring others to be successful. Six young people received the African Heritage Month plaque for their dedication to their communities:
–Tatyana Headley of Glace Bay
–Natasha Silver of Antigonish
–Summer-Joy Upshaw of Amherst
–Lindell Smith of Halifax
–Erica Porter of Newport, Hants Co.
–Kayla Fells of Yarmouth
“As a member of the African Heritage Month Network, I am pleased we are able to celebrate youth on the official poster as well as in our communities across Cumberland County and Nova Scotia,” said Elizabeth Cooke-Sumbu, executive director for the Cumberland African Nova Scotian Association. “Our youth hold our future and we must cultivate them!”
“The province is proud to celebrate African Heritage Month and encourages all Nova Scotians to take the opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of peoples of African descent in Nova Scotia,” said Mr. Ince. “I thank the African Heritage Month Information Network and all of the partner organizations and volunteers for working hard to host African Heritage Month activities and celebrations in every region.”
More information on African Heritage Month and a calendar of events can be found on the African Nova Scotian Affairs website, http://ansa.novascotia.ca.
Nova Scotians can also keep up to date on African Heritage Month events on Facebook (African Nova Scotian Affairs) and Twitter @OfficeofANSA.
Source: Release
