40th Anniversary & Capital Expansion Plans
The Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia celebrates
its 40th Anniversary
Cherry Brook, NS – August 29, 2023
It is celebration time, and time to expand facilities at one of the ‘precious gems’ in the Nova Scotia Cultural and Heritage crown.
It was forty years ago on September 17th, 1983 when a dream of the late Rev. Dr. William Pearly Oliver came to fruition. It was the opening of the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia. A museum and educational centre designed and commissioned to protect, preserve, and promote the culture and history of African Nova Scotians.
In this 40th year we begin to elevate the Centre to a new place; a National Black Cultural and Heritage Centre of Excellence.
Our Patron Co-Chairs for the Centre’s 40th Anniversary events are the Honourable Dr. Mayann E. Francis, ONS and the Honourable Dr. Wayne Adams, ONS, CM.
The Black Cultural Centre started small, and today it is internationally recognized. It is Canada’s largest and oldest provincial museum dedicated to Black Culture and Heritage. And of course, Nova Scotia is the birthplace of Black Culture and Heritage in Canada.
The Black Cultural Centre is pleased to announce that over the past year we launched a capitol foundation that will aid in major fundraising efforts. We have in place the Black Culture and Heritage Foundation of Canada, chaired by the Hon. Wayne Adams.
Throughout the next twelve months, the Centre will host a series of special events and programs to support our new and exciting 40,000 square foot expansion plans. The Centre’s capital campaign is valued at 40 million dollars. We are pleased to share that Mr. Gregory Keating, long-time friend and support of the organization has provided our first contribution of half a million dollars.
The new expanded facility will include a dedicated 300-seat theatre for performing arts and artists; a grand hall for community use events and an expanded and needed new archival storage area for our ever-expanding precious museum collection.
Anniversary Events:
Sept. 14th – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce will jointly sponsor a Business Luncheon with Canada’s outstanding business tycoon and CBC Dragon’s Den member (Mr. Fix it) Mr. Wes Hall at the Halifax Westin Hotel (11:30 am). >> More Info
IMPORTANT NOTE
After consulting with emergency and weather experts, we have made the difficult decision to postpone this weekend’s 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner (September 16th) and An Evening of Jazz with Shelley Hamilton and Holly Arsenault (September 17th) in anticipation of the possible weather.
The new dates of the events will be Saturday, September 23, 2023 and Sunday, September 24, 2023.
Your current ticket(s) will be honoured at the re-scheduled event. If you would like a refund, or to transfer your ticket to someone else please email us at: contact@bccns.com or call: 902-434-6223.
We thank you for your understanding and look forward to seeing you at the new date for the celebrations.
Sept. 23th – 40th Anniversary Gala Banquet and Celebration – An evening of celebration and reflection of the Black Cultural Centre’s 40 years with keynote speeches by the Hon. Dr. Mayann Francis, former Lt. Governor of Nova Scotia, and the Hon. Dr. Wayne Adams, Nova Scotia’s first black legislator. The evening will feature a three-course meal, and music by award-winning international artist Shelley Hamilton. (6:00 pm).
Tickets $40. 00 at the Centre or Online >> More Info
Sept. 24th – An Evening of Jazz styling with award-winning artist Shelley Hamilton, accompanied by well-known pianist Holly Arsenault at the Black Cultural Centre. (7:30 pm)
Tickets $20.00 at the Centre or Online >> More Info
Sept. 22nd – NIA Black Youth Summit in partnership with NS Human Rights Commission. This youth summit will be open to students in high school from across the province to explore the youth perspective in addressing anti-Black racism and social injustice. (10 am).
