Captial Improvments Well Underway

Through the gracious support of all levels of government (Provincial, Federal and Municipal) the Black Cultural Centre is undergoing major capital improvements to the facility to ensure that the building is sustainable for years to come. The Centre originally built in 1983 has been showing its age recently and was in desperate need of upgrades. The new upgrades will also provide energy efficiency to the facility and help reduce energy consumption and operating costs.

New Boiler Heating System

 The upgrade work started earlier this spring and included some of the following upgrades:

• Addition of Heat Pumps
• New energy efficient furnace system
• Energy efficient lighting
• Upgrades to computer network and telephone system
• Security upgrades
• Washroom and meeting space upgrades

Building Control System Upgrade

We expect all upgrades to be complete over the next 8 - 12 months. The board and staff at the Centre are grateful to all those who have support this major undertaking over the past few years as we worked to secure support and funds to invest in the facility.

- R. Grosse

We Welcome Ben Thomas to the BCC Staff

The Black Cultural Centre / Society is pleased to welcome Mr. Ben Thomas to the staff as an Education Program Developer. After spending two summers (2015 & 2016) at the Centre as a summer student, Ben was glad to return in this new role. 

Born and raised in Dartmouth, NS, a graduate of both Acadia University and the University of Windsor (Ontario) where he earned bachelor's degrees in Theatre Studies and Education respectively. As the Education Program Developer Ben will join Executive Director Russell Grosse and Program Coordinator Rielle Williams in fostering a greater level of educational resources and program at the Centre and resources to share African Nova Scotian Culture and Heritage.

Ben is looking forward to improving the programming the Centre offers to schools on field trips.

"I also look forward to engaging with school boards and educators, both locally and province wide, with a goal to help make African Nova Scotian history a bigger, and more important part of classrooms in Nova Scotia. For too long, it seems as though the rich and vibrant history of African Nova Scotian people has been on the back burner in our school system, and I hope to be able to help the next generation of students be the most educated and inspired generation of students yet. Since a young age I have had a passion for education and teaching people, and I look forward to my time at the Centre."

-Ben Thomas

We are pleased to have Ben as part of the team at the Centre. Welcome Ben!

- R. Grosse

Welcoming Visitors

During the summer the Black Cultural Centre welcomes visitors from around the world who want to discover African Nova Scotia culture and history. This summer has been no different with the Centre seeing a record number of visitor this summer. During some of these visits we had special guests that participated.

In August we had a group of visitors from Kansas City and special guests Wayn Hamilton, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia office of African Nova Scotian Affairs and artist / musician Sobaz Benjamin as they performed a African Libation Ceremony outside the Centre in front of the freedom stone.

Visitors from Kansas City

Earlier in the month former Toronto Raptors NBA player Jerome "Junk Yard Dog" Williams paid a visit to the Centre to learn about African Nova Scotian history and Culture.

BCC Employee: Rielle Williams with Jerome "Junk Yard Dog" Williams

Photo Credit: Lou Gannon

Community Outreach In Truro

On August 10th, 2017 we visited the community of Truro and were hosted by Zion Baptist Church and Pastor Brian Johnston. Several community members attended the event and viewed the display.

Black Cultural Centre display in Truro

A historical overview of the community was provided by Dr. Lynn Jones and various public officials such as the Mayor of Truro, Bill Mills and MP Bill Casey also attended. Board member Anne Simmons along with the Black Cultural staff took part as we gathered valuable history and learned about the Black communities in Truro, know in the areas as "the Bog, the Marsh and the Island". 

Dr. Lynn Jones sharing history

During this period the traveling exhibit was on display at the Museum of Industry in Stellarton. The African Nova Scotian community in Truro has a rich legacy including some of the well know historical figures such as Portia White, Stan "Chook" Maxwell, Jeramiah Jones, Rev. William White and Burnley "Rocky" Jones to name a few. 

- R. Grosse

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