The Afro News, Vancouver
On February 25, 2019 The Afro News in partnership with African People’s Foundation presented a snapshot of Black History to the Council Members of The City of Coquitlam at their Regular Council Meeting. In the month of February, we get to remember and reflect on the Historians of our ancestral lineage and marvel at their works and contribution of making this world a better place.
We celebrate Black History Month to educate, inspire and participate in building better and stronger communities.
The Historians fought for the liberties and freedom we have today around the globe. The many social changes the current generations are experiencing is the pioneering work that was started by those who have planted seeds in their lifetime and the product of their scope of shaping a better future world.
The History Books tell us:
1738 – 1820 Princess Charlotte Sophia, African-Descent Royal, married England’s King George III , they had fifteen children. It was her lineage that gave us Queen Victoria, and her descendants including our present Queen, Elizabeth.
1858 Sir James Douglas, of Black Descent
A 16 Year old Young Entrepreneur worked his way up to leadership role in the fur trade for North West Company and helped the Hudson’s Bay Company a trading monopoly in the Pacific Northwest.
He become the 1st Governor of British Columbia was known as the Father of The Province – Best remembered as the founder of Settlement, Trade, and Industry for British Columbia and in particular Vancouver Island.
Sir James wife Amelia Douglas was a grand daughter of a Cree Indigenous Chief. This bilingual couple with 13 children (French /English ) lay the foundation of our Provincial Governments Economic and Social Development.
1861 Africa Rifles -Regiment Heritage
The 1st Black Volunteer soldiers who formed the Victoria Pioneer Rifle Company to defend the Province against the American invasion.
Later Colonel Richard Clement Moody, helped develop infrastructure and provided a foundation for the establishment of defence forces.
1863 -1922 Joseph Seraphim Fortes
One of the first Black settlers in English Bay was a prominent figure in the early history of Vancouver. Dedicated Volunteer and a well-loved swimming instructor, first official lifeguard.
1915 -1972 Hogan’s Alley
The most concentrated vibrant Black community on the East side of Vancouver part of a larger historic Strathcona neighbourhood. The first black church, Fountain Chapel American Methodist Episcopal, opened in 1918.
Nora Hendrix, Grandmother to the late musician Jimi Hendrix migrated to Vancouver in 1911 and lived in and around Hogan’s Alley.
Due to the construction of the Georgia Viaduct in 1972 the community was destroyed.
2017 – Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Lawyer, Member of Parliament
At 43 years old is our current Minister of Immigration Refugee and Citizenship of Canada he was born in Somalia.
In our Vehicles and Mobile Devices everyday around the globe we are using some of the most precious inventions of our time
1878 – 1963 Richard Bowie Spikes was an African-American Inventor. The holder of numerous United States patents, his inventions include a beer tap, automobile directional signals, the automatic gear shift device.
DR Gladys Mae West an Africa-American; a pioneer Mathematician in her field. An innovator and contributor to the invention of what we now know as global positioning systems or GPS through NASA.
She is still alive today at the age of 89 years old and was featured in the Hollywood Movie – ‘Hidden Figures’ last year.
COQUITLAM’S CITY COUNCILOR
2018
Trish Mandewo : A successful Entrepreneur know for her dedication in community service and social work . A great example for the new generation .
These are just a handful of the notable Historians. We conclude this article and month with a quote from a great Honorary Canadian:
No country can really develop unless its citizens are educated. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Education is the great engine of personal development. – Nelson Mandela
