'Pride' event marks Black History Month at LAMP.
Deanna Liverpool, 12, left, and Chanelle Dean, 9, play steel pan as part of the live entertainment by the Soaring Eagles Steel Pan group. It was all part of the Street Level annual Black History Month celebration, Thursday evening at LAMP. The evening included dance, guest speakers, food and awards.
Photo/GRAHAM PAINE
LAMP Community Health Centre's popular annual Black History Month "pride" event took place last Thursday night.
LAMP's youth centre Street Level presented Black History Celebration, a free event assisted by South Etobicoke Youth Assembly (SEYA) on Feb. 23.
"It's almost like a pride event. The community gets together. The youth and people in the community are so proud of their heritage. It's a really great, positive family-community celebration," said Jasmin Dooh, LAMP's health promoter.
Multicultural food, including West Indian favourites like jerk chicken and rice and peas were on offer, as well as giveaways and prizes.
A young man with Breaking the Cycle shared his experience exiting a gang. A young women read her poem "questioning people's actions toward black people, even today," Dooh said.
SEYA youth performed a mix of dances.
A recognition award was also presented to a Lakeshore-area youth.