Wayne Long announced $85,000 to help PRUDE put on more Black History Month events. (Brad Perry)
A community group celebrating Black History month has gotten some federal funding.
Price of Race, Unity, and Dignity through Education Inc., or PRUDE for short, has received $85,000 from the Department of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth.
The funds will help the group put on more Black History Month events, including their Black History Talk and Tours this month.
The travelling exhibits visits more than a dozen local agencies and schools.
Li Song, Managing Director for PRUDE Inc., says being recognized for their work was a great feeling.
“I think it’s a dream come true, and it was a big surprise, a good surprise. PRUDE has been working on Black History Month celebrations for the past decade actually, so they recognized the work that we do,” she said.
Song says Black History Month often goes by without much recognition in New Brunswick.
Earlier this month, Saint John became the first New Brunswick city to officially raise the Pan-African flag in honour of Black History Month.
“Really, it’s to raise awareness,” said Song, who adds black New Brunswickers still face a lot of racial discrimination.
“We wanted to recognize most important, the outstanding members of African-Canadians.”
Song says celebrating diversity is something PRUDE strives to do daily.
“Diversity matters. PRUDE always champions diversity and inclusion. It’s so important right now at this point, when our province is on the rise with population growth. We need to recognize our heritage, recognize our culture, recognize the contributions from the minority groups so we can move forward, so we can welcome more people,” she said.
“We need to make people feel comfortable in celebrating and being proud of their ancestors, their heritage roots.”
The funding announcement last Friday coincided with the official opening of a Black History Month Heritage Exhibit on the second floor of Brunswick Square.
The exhibit will remain open until February 28th.
Song says the exhibit features archival documents and photos that typically spend most of their time in storage or in transit for their travelling exhibits.
Now, they’re on display for all to see.
Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long says PRUDE does so much work in the community celebrating Black History.
“The Black History story of New Brunswick has not been told, it has not been projected out to people in Saint John, so the fact that we can be here for a meaningful announcement of $85,000 to support PRUDE, it’s a very meaningful day,” he said.
Song says the celebration will continue throughout the month through a series of exhibits and events, including a Soul Train Dance at the Kent Theatre on February 22nd.
