Leaders, youth recognized at Black History Month celebration in Manitoba Legislature

Olufisayo Bakene shakes hands with Premier Wab Kinew during a Friday event at the Manitoba Legislture to celebrate Black History Month.

Olufisayo Bakene, 13, joined other speakers at a Black History Month event in the rotunda of the Manitoba Legislative Building in expressing hope that young people, like him, will see themselves better reflected in their government and society.

“As a 13-year-old African youth, I’ve seen racism displayed all around my life,” the Grade 8 student said, speaking to the crowd Friday.

“Wouldn’t it be great if the next generation of Black youth in Winnipeg didn’t ever experience racism and discrimination in their lives?”

Dozens of people attended the event, organized by the NDP government, which included dancing and speeches from local Black leaders such as Winnipeg Coun. Markus Chambers, Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara and Economic Development Minister Jamie Moses.

“When I was [young], I had never seen a Black person elected in government in Manitoba,” said Asagwara, who was first elected as the MLA for Union Station in 2019.

“I think about my nephew, who is about 16 months old right now.… My first nephew will grow up with a completely different experience growing up in Manitoba.”

Black History Manitoba chair Nadia Thompson says the celebration has grown since she joined in 2007, when there were six events.

Now, there are more than 40 events planned throughout the year, said Thompson, whose organization was created in 1981 as the Black History Month Celebration Committee.

It’s now expanded to include creating awareness of Black history in Manitoba and beyond, according to the Black History Manitoba website.