By Carolyn Sloan

The Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

“In the broader spectrum of time, heritage is a living thing,” said Bridgetown Mayor Art Marshall. “There are many among us…who for the good works during their lives, will shape the heritage that we will celebrate in the years ahead.”

Heritage was alive and well on February 19, as Annapolis County council held its 10th annual session at the Inglewood community hall in honour of African Heritage Month. Among those in the audience was Edith Cromwell, a living example of history. Recipient of the Order of Nova Scotia and the first member of the Inglewood community to graduate from high school, she was among the first African Nova Scotians to graduate from the Nova Scotia Teachers College, and has been a role model for the young people of her community and beyond.

Those within the African Nova Scotian community who spoke at the council session expressed their admiration for the elders of Inglewood, who had had a personal influence on their own lives.

“This is who we are,” said Annapolis Valley Regional School Board’s Peter Cromwell. “We just remember who we come from.”

He noted that numbers of high school graduates from the community had increased, and that programs had been created to bring families of African Nova Scotian students into the schools.

“This is a really positive thing and it shows what we can do,” he explained.

Steve Carrington, AVRSB’s coordinator of RCH, which includes race relations, culture, cross-cultural understanding and human rights, spoke of his appreciation for the youth as well, turning his attention to the Grade 12 Law and African Studies classes that had come to observe the day’s proceedings.

“I really have a deep feeling for the students here,” he said. “Our students are so real and so honest… They’re so energetic and creative, and they want change, they want to make the world a better place.”

Carrington emphasized that while African Nova Scotians share a painful history of slavery and community exclusion, this month was a time to celebrate the contributions and progress that has been made.

“We really would like people to understand that this is a month for contributions… This is a month for celebration.

The celebrations of the day closed as they have for many years, with the singing of Lift Ev’ry Voice & Sing, otherwise known as the Black National Anthem.

“Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,” sang the women of Inglewood, joined by their guests. “Sing a song full of hope that the present has brought us… Let us march on till victory is won.”