To celebrate Black History Month an event showcases the rich legacy of African descendants with tales, gospel music, dance and poetry.

Since 1976 Black History Month is celebrated throughout the United States and in Canada with different organized events, concerts and art exhibitions. As this year’s festivities were coming to an end Montreal’s own Light Entertainment presented Noire: Do You Know Who You R? at Vie Transformée Centre in Montreal-North, Canada on Sunday February 24, 2008.The purpose of this event was to incite Montreal’s black youth to learn about their origins and to establish stronger foundations for their future, as well as to encourage audience members to forge their own ideas about cultural pride.

The Night’s Program

Set as an interactive history lesson the night’s program provided an overview of the African peoples’ trying course towards prosperity throughout the centuries. During the entire evening the audience was guided on a voyage back in time through sound and imagery, offering a glimpse of their ancestors’ daily hardships. An enlightening exposé on the glory days of prominent African empires, such as in Ghana, Rwanda and the Congo, contrasts with the gruelling dehumanization of the slave trade in later years. Short historical accounts accompanied by evocative slideshows detailed the journey of African ancestors from their homeland to the Americas, providing valuable information most attendees had never learned in high school history courses. Thereafter the narrations were followed by musical performances pertaining to each segment, where stirring ancient African chants and gospel songs enriched one’s historical experience.

A Proud Display of Talent and Ambition

The event was also a celebration of trailblazers often unknown – such as Marcus Garvey, François-Dominique Toussaint Louverture and Garrett Augustus Morgan Sr. –whose inventions, unique artistic vision and controversial political stance have all contributed to a rich and diverse cultural heritage. Introducing the works of modern Black artists, intellectuals and entertainers also illustrated the possibilities presented to young adults to broaden their horizons and to be successful in their craft. The meticulous historical research is also testament to the production crew’s passion for educating their peers on their roots. Overall, seasoned performers from Montreal’s black community contributed to this event’s brilliant success with their exceptional musical skills, intricate choreographies and inspiring poetry. The crowd was entranced by the sounds of the gospel choir and by the electrifying rhythm of the step dancers. Accompanied by the live band's soulful melodies, the poets channelled the emotional turmoil experienced by slaves with simple, yet eloquent verses.

This night truly provided an inspiring historical awakening for Montreal’s black youth, guiding the audience a step further towards a better self-realization as not only proud heirs of millennia-worth of trials and victories, but also as a people ready to provide an even greater legacy to the generations to come.