Black History Month
'Black Excellence: Building for the Future.'
February is Black History Month in Canada where we honour the contributions, achievements and lived experiences of Black community members. At Red Deer Polytechnic, we honour the contributions, achievements and lived experiences of students, alumni, faculty and staff.
Despite numerous experiences with racism and discrimination at all levels of society, people from the Black community continue to demonstrate strength and resilience and contribute to the social and economic fabric of our communities.
At Red Deer Polytechnic, we highlight noteworthy Black Canadians and Black Albertans so you can learn about their accomplishments and contributions to Canada. Throughout February, we will also share some stories of the lived experiences provided by some Polytechnic students, alumni, faculty and staff on our social media platforms. Please connect with us often as new stories will be shared regularly.
There are numerous events at Red Deer Polytechnic in collaboration with the Students' Association to recognize Black History Month. We invite you to join us at as many upcoming events as you're able to and stay tuned for door prize information!
Black History Month Blog Posts
Stories written by RDP Staff, Students, and Alumni.
Feb 9 - Rochelle Ignacio Presentation
February 9 | 10:30 - 11:50am | Microsoft Teams
Update: Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard will join us in March, stay tuned for the new date!
In Celebration of Black History Month, Red Deer Polytechnic is pleased to welcome Rochelle Ignacio, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement, speaking to Black Excellence: Building Better Futures. Rochelle attended Red Deer College in the Science Program before moving to the U of A to complete her degree. She is a community builder and brings a wealth of knowledge and lived experience to her work.
To open the presentation, Titilope Sonuga will perform two works of poetry.
The story of Titilope Sonuga’s emergence as a globally renowned poet, playwright and performer is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling. She is the author of three collections of poetry: Down to Earth (2011), Abscess (2014), and This Is How We Disappear (2019) and has composed two spoken word albums, Mother Tongue (2011) and Swim (2019). Sonuga has scripted campaigns for global brands, including The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Google, and the White Ribbon Alliance. She served a two-year term as an ambassador for Intel Corporation’s She Will Connect campaign, a program dedicated to empowering women and girls through technological literacy, commerce, and opportunity. She was the first poet to perform at a Nigerian presidential inauguration in 2015 and was the 9th Poet Laureate of the City of Edmonton (2021-2023).
This virtual event is open to the Polytechnic and Central Alberta communities. There will be time for a brief Q&A following the presentation.
Feb 12 - 18 - Black History Book Display
Feb 12- 18 | Library
Explore a curated book collection celebrating Black voices, showcasing titles by award-winning authors like Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Desmond Cole, Esi Edugyan, Cecil Foster and Lawrence Hill. Discover literary celebration that offers insights into, not only the Black lived experiences but, also the universal experiences of people from all walks of life.
Open to students, faculty, staff and community.
Feb 12- 29 - African & Caribbean Fabrics Display
Feb 12- 29 | Library
Celebrate the rich and vibrant colours of the African and Caribbean diaspora through a captivating fabric display, featuring a selection of hand-woven fabrics, including the traditional Ghanaian kente.
Open to students, faculty, staff and community.
Feb 13 - Traditional Beef Patties Lunch
Traditional Beef Patties | 11 am | Students’ Association Stairs
The Students’ Association will be serving Beef Patties from Red Deer’s local restaurant, Chubby Jerk & Kitchen BBQ, until supplies last!
Feb 16 - Black History Month Trivia Night
February 16 | 6- 8 PM | The Far Side Bar & Grill
Join the Black Student Society for an engaging evening of trivia that celebrates Black history and Black people around the world. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to test your knowledge and compete for the chance to win amazing prizes!
Open to all!
Feb 26 - Jollof Wars: A Culinary Clash of Flavors
Afro-Caribbean Culture Week
Feb 26 | 2 – 4 pm | Red Deer Bottling Forum
Join us for a sizzling showdown at the Jollof Rice competition! Winners take home not only bragging rights but also exciting prizes. This unique competition invites students to showcase their home country's flavours by cooking from the heart and bringing their own creation of Jollof Rice to the campus.
Students interested in cooking for the event, email international@rdpolytech.ca before Friday, February 9, 2024.
Note: RDP International will provide the ingredients as required! Spots are limited so reach out as soon as possible.
Feb 28 - Creating Safety Within Diverse Communities
Feb 28 | 10:30 am – 1 pm | The Loft
Presented by: MindfulU
Join Jan Underwood, Settlement Practitioner at Care for Newcomers, in this presentation where we will examine how we can all be more welcoming, accepting, and inclusive in our everyday life. We will look at how to deal with unconscious bias, how to respond to racism and how to be an ally to racialized people, in particular in our environment at RDP. Feel free to drop in or register!
Feb 28 - Afro-Caribbean Game Night Extravaganza
February 28 | 5 – 7 pm | The Gathering Place (Room 1009)
Join us for an evening of laughter, friendly competition and cultural celebration at our Afro-Caribbean Game Night! Indulge in a variety of board games, card games and culturally inspired games that pay homage to the diverse traditions of Africa and the Caribbean. Whether you're a seasoned game master or a casual player, there's something for everyone.
Light refreshments will be provided. Open to all students, Drop-in event, no registration required!
Mar 1 - Afro-Caribbean Night
March 1 | 6 – 8 pm | The Far Side Bar & Grill
Culminate the culture week by stepping into the vibrant world of "Afro-Caribbean Rhythms," where you are invited to join a night of infectious beats, electrifying dance and pure fun! Get ready to sway to the rhythm of Afro beats, dancehall and reggae as our DJ sets the stage for an evening of non-stop excitement. Whether you're a dance enthusiast or just looking to unwind, this night is for you!
Light refreshments will be provided! Register HERE (Before February 23, 2024)
Feb 5 - Mar 15 - Black Art Display
Feb 8 – Mar 15 | 1500 Wing
Celebrate the artistic excellence of Black creators at the Art Display, where you'll discover a captivating collection of paintings, mixed media pieces and more. This visually inspiring showcase invites you to explore the rich tapestry of Black culture and heritage while honouring the remarkable contributions of Black artists.
Open to students, faculty, staff and community.
In recognition of Black History Month, the exterior lights of the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre will display red, yellow and green lights from February 2 - 27 and on February 29, adorning the building with a beautiful Pan-African inspired light up in the following symbolic colours:
Red represents the blood that unites people of African descent.
Yellow represents the richness of people of African and Caribbean descent.
Green represents the abundant natural wealth of the diaspora.