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NACCA, East Gwillimbury raising Pan-African flag in honour of Black History Month

The Town of East Gwillimbury is also promoting the activities that NACCA, in partnership with the Town of Newmarket, is highlighting during February
2021 02 15 pan-african-flag-with-waving-fabric

NEWS RELEASE
TOWN OF EAST GWILLIMBURY & NEWMARKET AFRICAN CARIBBEAN CANADIAN ASSOCIATION
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The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) in partnership with the Town of East Gwillimbury honours Black History Month and the International Decade for People of African Descent with an official flag raising. The event will occur on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

The Pan-African flag is a tri-colour flag consisting of three equal horizontal bands of red, black and green. The colours of the flag represent the red for the blood, shed for liberty; the black is for the peoples from the continent of Africa; and green is for the natural luxuriant vegetation and wealth of the Motherland, Africa. The Pan African flag was created in 1920 by Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican-born charismatic Black Leader, to represent people of the African Diaspora.

In conjunction with the flag raising, the Town of East Gwillimbury will promote the planned activities that NACCA, in partnership with the Town of Newmarket, is highlighting during the month of February. This year’s Black History Month theme is Standing on Strong Shoulders.

"We are very proud to partner with the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association, celebrating Black History Month by raising the Pan-African flag. East Gwillimbury is committed to building an inclusive community and this is an important step in bringing awareness and education to our community,” said Mayor Virginia Hackson.

“NACCA has planned a number of wonderful and informative virtual events throughout Black History Month and I ask everyone to take this opportunity to participate in these sessions and engage in this important conversation. I want to acknowledge and thank our Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee for working with the NACCA and bringing this important initiative to our community.”

“Black History Month is a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black Canadians and affirm the identities of Black students,” says chairperson Jerisha Grant-Hall, “but it is also a time to have bold and authentic conversations, and re-imagine the possible for Black Canadians.”

NACCA is a registered non- profit organization providing strong leadership for the diverse resident Black community, especially Black youth. The association serves Newmarket and surrounding areas.

Information about NACCA and Black History Month is available at naccacommunity.ca/black-history-month-2021 and newmarket.ca/blackhistory

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