Adult
This talk will explore the history of African and Black global political relations from a Black Canadian perspective. We'll start by looking at Haiti, Liberia, and Ethiopia, which were among the few Black-led countries during the colonial period. Participants will also learn about the British-Maroon Wars in Jamaica and their relationship to Africville, Nova Scotia.
Aaron T. Francis is a doctoral student at the Balsillie School of International Affairs at the University of Waterloo. His research covers the political economic intersections of China-US-Taiwan relations in Latin America and The Caribbean. Aaron is also a community archivist, curator and the founder of Vintage Black Canada™.
Vintage Black Canada™ started in 2019 as a project to gather and preserve the modern history of Black communities in Canada. This project is a mix of different art forms and disciplines inspired by the work of Aaron's grandfather, Roy. Roy was a Jamaican-born photographer who lived in Waterloo and captured thousands of images between 1960 and 1990. The photos from Roy's archive tell stories that resonate with Black people across the world. They show a shared cultural heritage, connecting black communities across borders and generations. Video and images from Vintage Black Canada™ have been exhibited at the Art Gallery of Ontario, the University of Waterloo Art Gallery (in collaboration with CAFKA) and in Maclean's magazine.
Programmer: Megan
Located on the west side of Waterloo, the John M. Harper Branch shares a building with the Stork Family YMCA. This branch features Study Rooms, a large Community Room and outdoor courtyard.