Members of the Brock/Niagara African Renaissance Group - student and group president Rihan Rahsi; Jean Ntakirutimana and Richard Ndayizigamiye, professors of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures; John Kaethler, director of International Services and Programs Abroad, and Tamari Kitossa, Sociology professor, look at an exhibit of African cloth and underground quilts at the Sean O'Sullivan Theatre. The exhibit was curated by Visual Arts alumnus Nathan Heuvingh.

The Brock/Niagara African Canadian Renaissance Group is hosting a series of events to celebrate African Heritage Month.

The month-long program includes an art exhibit of African cloth and Underground quilts, a film about Afro-Iranians, an Underground Railroad tour, and a talk about the War of 1812, Richard Pierpoint and the Coloured Corps of Upper Canada.

It will also feature the inaugural Dr. Wilma Morrison Annual African Heritage Lecture. Morrison, a local historian, curator, advocate and educator of black history in Niagara, received an honorary degree from Brock in 2010.

Jean Augustine

The Wilma Morrison lecture will feature former Canadian politician the Honourable Jean Augustine. She will talk about her views on diversity and inclusion and address the representation of people of African descent in Canadian politics.

“My goal has always been to interest people in our Canadian history,” Morrison said. “It is important for people to know about and be reminded of the people who helped to build this great community.”

The month is not only a celebration of African heritage, but “a celebration of our collective world and human histories,” said Richard Ndayizigamiye, a Brock professor and member of the Renaissance Group.

The Brock/Niagara African Canadian Renaissance Group is a collective of Brock faculty, staff, students and community members. It includes student clubs like the Roots African Caribbean Society, and community groups such as the African Association of Niagara, the Council of Black Organizations in Niagara and the Black History Society.

Here’s a list of Brock/Niagara African Canadian Renaissance Group events:

• Feb. 6 to 24: Exhibit of African cloth and Underground quilts
The Gallery, Sean O’Sullivan Theatre

• Friday, Feb. 10: Dr. Wilma Morrison Annual African Heritage Lecture
Jean Augustine will present “Transcending Ghosts of the Past: the future of Black political engagement,” and Morrison will speak about the Black Canadian experience in Southern Ontario. 1 to 3 p.m., Sankey Chamber (View a poster for the lecture in PDF form)

• Saturday, Feb. 11: Underground Railway tour
Organized by Roots African Caribbean Society at Brock. Leaves from the Schmon Tower lobby at 8:15 a.m. For more info: brockroots@gmail.com

• Thursday, Feb. 16: Screening of Afro-Iranian Lives
A film by Behnaz Mirzai, associate professor of History, 5 to 7 p.m., Sankey Chamber

• Thursday, March 1
Talks by author Ron Dale, “War of 1812: The Coloured Corps” and Wilma Morrison, “Richard Pierpoint and the Coloured Corps,” 4 to 6:30 p.m., Sankey Chamber