African Heritage Month Honours Unsung Heroes

NOTE: A social media version of this release with hi-res, downloadable photos is available at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2012-01-20-African-Heritage-Month/. More photos and audio will be available after the event.

NOTE: A list of regional launch events follows this release.

Nova Scotia's 28th annual African Heritage Month celebrations will pay tribute to Unsung Heroes: Men who Make a Difference.

African Nova Scotian Affairs Minister Percy Paris today, Jan. 20, read a proclamation at Province House declaring February as African Heritage Month. He also unveiled a poster honouring six men who have faithfully served their communities.

"In 2010 we celebrated our Leading Ladies, Lasting Legacies, and in 2012 we are following suit by recognizing men who have a positive impact on their neighbourhoods," said Mr. Paris.

"These men provide jobs and support, they mentor youth and care for the elderly, and they have a quiet but impressive influence on people around them. They may not be household names, but they make their communities, and this province, a better place."

The unsung heroes are: Donald Cooke Jr., Amherst; Everett Desmond, Upper Big Tracadie; Joel Marsman, Lower Sackville; Keith Miller, Yarmouth; C.F. "Babe" Paris, New Glasgow; and Archbishop Vincent Waterman, Sydney.

The men were selected through an open call for nominations held in the fall. The provincewide African Heritage Month Information Network chose the six finalists.

The network includes partners from the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs, the African Nova Scotian Music Association, African Heritage Month North-Central Network, African Heritage Month Southwest Network, Black History Month Association, Cumberland African Nova Scotian Association, Cape Breton Service Providers, and the Valley African Nova Scotian Development Association.

Communities across the province will host dozens of African Heritage Month events in the coming weeks. This year the official poster is also available in French.

"Nova Scotia has a growing population of French-speaking persons of African descent, and we are pleased to make this year's celebrations more inclusive than ever," said David Wilson, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage. "Nova Scotians of all backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to take part in African Heritage Month events throughout the province."

For bios on the unsung heroes and a list of community events, visit "www.gov.ns.ca/ansa/AHM2012.asp .

Regional launches:

• Jan. 26, Black Cultural Centre, 10 Cherry Brook Rd., Cherry Brook, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 27, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, 300 Esplanade St., Sydney, noon.
• Jan. 28, 5th Annual Celebration Gala, Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 30, New Glasgow Town Council Chambers, 111 Provost St., New Glasgow, 11:45 a.m.
• Jan. 30, Digby Municipal Building, 12548 Highway 217, Seabrook, 1 p.m.
• Feb. 1, Municipality of Cumberland County, 1395 Blair Lake Rd., Upper Nappan, 11 a.m.
• Feb. 3, Acadia Fountain Commons Building, 26 Crowell Dr., Wolfville, 6:30 p.m.