THU 30 JULY @7PM – WATCH LIVE!
The FirstOntario PAC is proud to partner with Matter of Black, BlackOwned905 and other local community leaders and organizations on a virtual edition of #EmancipationDaySTC Celebrations that is intended to bring back a piece of history that once celebrated Black culture and united St Catharines and beyond. The program will begin on Thurs 30 July with Local Reflections on Racism Speakers Series, presented as part of a long-term partnership commitment between the PAC and the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre and Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association.

Local Reflections on Racism – An Online Interactive Speaker Series with Small Community Group Discussions about confronting racism and other forms of exclusion in our community to create an inclusive Niagara.
Speaker Mutsa Charamba from Positive Living Niagara and co-organizer of Emancipation Day Celebrations discusses Social Determinants of Health within the Black Community with breakout groups facilitated by Josefina Perez, Amber Tallman, Edmund Frye, Marcel Stewart, Colleen McTigue and Jillien Hone. Performances for community during breakout groups shared by Shannon Kitchings, Eve Atom. To register to be part of the Zoom breakout group discussions, please email yalharazi@folk-arts.ca . Presented in partnership with Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre, Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association and Positive Living Niagara.

WATCH LIVE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstOntPAC/videos/637211650231907/
WATCH LIVE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1y3Bcj-UJNw



FRI 31 JULY @7PM – WATCH LIVE!
As part of the #EmancipationDaySTC programs, the PAC has partnered with Brock University to present It Takes a Riot: Race, Rebellion, Reform, a short documentary that marks the 25th anniversary of the Yonge Street Uprising.

On May 4, 1992, in Toronto, a march against anti-Black police violence turned into a riot. The demonstration was organized by the Black Action Defense Committee, a civil rights group and criminal justice watchdog founded by members of Toronto’s Black communities. While the mainstream media and politicians called it a riot, others called it a “rebellion”, even an “uprising”. It Takes A Riot: Race, Rebellion, Reform explores the events of May 4, 1992, their historical context, political impact, and relevance to contemporary struggles against anti-Black racism. With racial injustice, police killings of Black people, and the Black Lives Matter movement on the front pages, this provocative new documentary asks: What does it take for Black people to get justice in this society?

The film will be screened virtually with a post-screening Q&A to follow featuring Dr. Simon Black, Assistant Professor of Labour Studies at Brock University and film co-producer, Idil Abdillahi, film co-producer and Assistant Professor of Social Work at Ryerson University, Dr. Dolana Mogadime, Professor of Education, Brock University, Lennox Farrell, retired teacher and founding member of Black Action Defense Committee, Dr. Jean B. Ntakirutimana, Linguist and Language professor at Brock University, and founding member of the Brock African Heritage Recognition Committee and Dr. Gervan Fearon, President and Vice-Chancellor Brock University. The Q&A will be moderated by Kattawe Henry, Human Rights and Anti-Racism Advisor, Brock University and Brock alumnus.

This film documents an important moment in the fight against anti-Black racism in Canada. Yet it’s a moment too often ignored in our history books and seldom taught in our schools. While Emancipation Day marks an important moment in the history of the Black freedom struggle in Canada, by sharing this film with the Niagara community in the context of police killings of Black people and a resurgent Black Lives Matter movement, we hope the community will see that this freedom struggle is not simply history, but ongoing.

FRI 31 JULY @9PM – ADDED FREE OUTDOOR EVENT! 
In the Mann Raceway Plaza, directly behind the FirstOntario PAC

9pm – It Takes a Riot: Race, Rebellion, Reform (25min), directed by Howard Grandison, with introduction by film co-producer, Professor Simon Black. On 4 May 1992, in Toronto, a march against anti-Black police violence turned into a riot. The demonstration was organized by the Black Action Defense Committee, a civil rights group and criminal justice watchdog founded by members of Toronto’s Black communities. This short documentary explores the events of that day, their historical context, political impact, and relevance to contemporary struggles against anti-Black racism. **Please note that this added outdoor screening at 9pm is in addition to the 7pm online screening and panel discussion.

9:30pm – Wilma (1hr 14min) with introduction by director Ayo Adewumi. Wilma celebrates the life of the beloved, legendary Wilma Morrison, who was regarded as the custodian of Black History in Niagara. Wilma tells her story and experiences growing up as an Ontario-born Black Canadian, the discrimination she faced based on her colour and sex, and her efforts to preserve Black History in Niagara Falls.






SAT 1 AUG @11AM – WATCH LIVE!
The weekend includes a robust program of speakers, films and performances and will feature a virtual market of Black owned businesses.

The Main Event: Go Support Black Owned Businesses and share the #EmancipationDaySTC hashtag!
Vendor list on Instagram @BlackOwned905

When we talk of Black History, people tend to think it is all about slavery, that is not the case. On Emanciaption Day Celebration, our educational component will focus on three stages of Black History: Life before slavery, Life during slavery and life post slavery.

11:00am – 2:30pm – BLACK HISTORY EDUCATIONAL + INTERACTIVE VIDEO + Flag Raising at City Hall!

Speakers and performances, featuring:
11am – Judge Rochelle Ivri – Black history in the Niagara Region with a focus on historic events within Niagara-on-the-lake
12nn – Rochelle Bush-Tubam – The significance of the Salem Chapel BME Church and Freedom Seekers that settled in St. Catharines
1pm – Dr. Tamari Kitosa – The effects of slavery on mental health within the Black community today
2pm – Flag raising at City Hall with Emancipation Day Celebration Organizers and Mayor Walter Sendzik

SAT 1 AUG @5PM + 7PM – ADDED FREE OUTDOOR EVENT! 
In the Mann Raceway Plaza, directly behind the FirstOntario PAC

Juno-nominated, Independent Music Award-winning Afro-Cuban roots and jazz band OKAN features stunning vocal harmonies and a powerful jazz foundation. Based in Toronto, the women-led ensemble explores musical forms of Santeria as well as diverse Cuban popular genres.





SUN 2 AUG @7PM – WATCH LIVE!

The Emancipation Day celebration caps off with a live streamed performance by Niagara’s premiere funk and soul band, the LMT Connection featuring the legendary Motown frontman Leroy Emmanuel. The concert will stream live from Partridge Hall as part of #NiagaraPerforms free online live concert and event series.

Please “like” our page here to stay up to date with all events!  www.Facebook.com/EMANCIPATIONDAYSTC

Support Black Owned Businesses and share #EMANCIPATIONDAYSTC
For a list of vendors visit @BlackOwned905 on Instagram !