City council marks Black History Month

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/02/2022 (1509 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Through the efforts of Coun. Sunday Frangi, Brandon City Council took a leap forward in recognizing the importance of Black History Month with its first-ever proclamation signing.

“The signing of this proclamation today is an acknowledgment and recognition to Black people in our communities here in Brandon, Manitoba,” said Frangi, who represents Meadows-Waverly.

“This is for their continuous contributions toward the growth of this community and believing that diversity and inclusivity is the way forward to keeping this community growing.”

Frangi, who was elected to city council in a May 2021 byelection, organized the event, which included speeches from Mayor Rick Chrest and several dignitaries from Brandon’s Black community.

Frangi said he was grateful for Chrest to take the time to sign the document and make this historic moment happen. The proclamation marked the first time the city acknowledged February as Black History Month in the city.

“It means a lot, it’s an everyday celebration,” Frangi said.

“What we see here in this city is great, the multicultural city that we are growing to be. Black history is an educational month, it’s where we’ve come from and how far we’ve come to be a part of this country.”

It was about time for the city to recognize what the month stands for, Chrest said.

“I’m really happy that Coun. Frangi initiated this, it’s certainly apropos that here in the community of Brandon, that has enjoyed such an uptick of multiculturalism, that we would want to commemorate Black History Month,” Chrest said.

“This year’s theme is February and Forever celebrating Black history today and every day.”

The proclamation signing gave several residents from Brandon the opportunity to speak up and acknowledge this year’s theme as the ongoing awareness continues for Black Canadians across Westman.

“We have one goal and one desire for our family to prosper and to leave legacies for our children, and children of old for generations,” said Brandon School Division board trustee Calistus Ekenna.

“Everyone here today is a testament [to] what collaboration can bring. We are part of the goal and the dream of this beautiful city.”

Kerselin Fumier, vice-president of the Mauritius Cultural Association, has lived in Brandon for 14 years. After moving from Mauritius, Fumier said he has seen a growth in the Black community of Brandon as a result of many Black students coming to Brandon University.

Following Frangi’s election to city council last year, Fumier said he believes council’s recognition will do a lot of good for the Black community.

“When he was elected, I told him, ‘you just gave a key to a closed door and you opened the door for people of colour, and everyone to sit at this table,’” Fumier said.

“When this table becomes a multicultural table, things are going to change more. To see that recognized by the City of Brandon will give them hope.”

Chrest has found many of the newcomers to Brandon have succeeded in sharing their cultures with the rest of the community, adding Frangi is one of those people.

“People who are more early to the city were trailblazers,” Chrest said.

“For each new individual that comes, it makes it that much easier for the next one.”

In the future, Frangi said, there will be more opportunities to celebrate Black History Month in person.

The councillor found the first few months of his term difficult based on the then-current health restrictions in place, but said he has found his place in city council thanks to the support of his colleagues.

“Getting involved has always been my drive,” Frangi said.

“I lived in Winnipeg for 16 years. When I came to Brandon, the first thing I wanted to do was get involved in the community. Politics also runs in the blood.”

» jbernacki@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @JosephBernacki