16 Year Anniversary

The Story of Charles & Nancy Alexander, as told by Doug Hudlin:

Preview of the film Go Do Some Great Thing, the story of Black pioneers in BC circa 1850:


Above is a preview of the film Go Do Some Great Thing, a documentary telling the story of the roughly six hundred Blacks who emigrated from San Francisco to Victoria in 1858. The film was shown at BC Black History and Cultural Day and its producer, Anthony Brown, spoke at the event.

 

Black History Month Recap:

  • Feb 7: BC Black History and Cultural Day
  • Feb 20: Underground Railroad talk and lunch
  • Feb 27: Kenyan Community Dinner and Dance
  • Feb 27: Afro Diva Launch Party
  • Feb 28: Shady Creek Church Service
  • Feb 28: Cemetery Walking Tour

BC Black History and Cultural Day

"Black History and Cultural Day was a complete success," said Ron Nicholson, its main organizer. "It succeeded largely because of our organizing comittee's efforts, the other Societies that participated, and the attendance of Anthony Brown, producer of the film Go Do Some Great Thing. The only disappointment was that the Vancouver Island African Heritage Society was not in attendance. All feedback from those in attendance was positive, and all commented that they enjoyed the event."

Underground Railroad Talk

Ron also delivered the Underground Railroad talk on Feb 20, which was well attended and received positive feedback.

Ross Bay Cemetery Tour

The BCBHAS co-guided this tour on Feb 28. The guides were John Adams, a local historian from the Old Cemetery Society, and Valin Marshall from the BCBHAS.

"There were about twenty participants including students from a film project from the University of Victoria, those interested in Black history, and others generally interested in cemetery tours," Valin reported.

"It was an exceptionally sunny day for February, which greatly contributed to a relaxed and enjoyable tour. Graves of some new individuals, not included in previous tours, were visited this time. All except Rosco were Black pioneers:

  • Francis Rosco: grandson of a fighter for the abolition of slavery,
  • Rebecca Gibbs: a noted poet of Gold Rush days,
  • James Douglas: first Governor of British Columbia,
  • Hamilton Smith: his family owned and operated a large bakery,
  • Charles Mitchell: an American slave boy who was freed because he was on British soil,
  • Samuel Ringo /Charles Haywood: Ringo owned and operated the best restaurant in town that was later purchased by Haywood,
  • George Washington Hobbs: died from a knife wound following an altercation,
  • Charlie Kincade: a musician who loved the women,
  • Pointers: an educated business family,
  • John Giscome: miner and explorer,
  • and Willis Bond: a fierce debater for the rights of Blacks."