JASON SETNYK
The African Caribbean and International Association of Eastern Ontario (ACIAEO) marked the conclusion of Black History Month with a closing ceremony at Heritage Public School, bringing community members together for an afternoon of reflection, performance, and dialogue. The event featured keynote speaker Pierre Ngambi, who delivered an address tied to the national theme: Honouring Black excellence across generations – from nation builders to the visionaries of tomorrow.
Ngambi spoke about resilience, history, and responsibility, drawing on both community experience and his own story. “This theme reminds us that Black history is not frozen in the past; it is alive, constantly evolving, and carried from one generation to the next,” he said. Reflecting on the challenges many newcomers and Black professionals face when arriving in Canada, he added, “Like many Black professionals, arriving in Canada meant starting over – credentials questioned, experience undervalued, doors that did not open. But what sustains me is this truth: I have never walked alone.”
ACIAEO President Monte Domingo said the closing ceremony represents the culmination of a month of school visits, events, presentations, and community discussions. “Every year we bring people together at the end of the month to really drill down on the theme,” Domingo explained. “We looked at barriers to belonging in our community, and we took good points from those debates. For this closing event, we tapped into our own membership. Pierre is very methodological, very detailed in his work, and we wanted to promote the brilliance within our organization.”
The program also included storytelling, a fashion show, food, and a theatre performance, reflecting ACIAEO’s goal of blending education with cultural expression. Domingo said these presentations help support the month’s messages of identity, resilience, and growth.
Among those in attendance was Senator Bernadette Clement, who has been active throughout Black History Month in Eastern Ontario and Ottawa. Her recent engagements included meeting with the Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network during the Black Leaders in Sports Day, attending the Black History Month celebration at Ottawa City Hall, and visiting a Catholic elementary school in Embrun to speak with students about her personal and professional journey. She emphasized the importance of continuing these conversations year-round. “Events like this remind us why representation and storytelling matter,” she said. “We listened to moving testimonials and are filled with hope for the future. This month has been busy with events and work in the Chamber, but seeing my own was priceless.”
Ngambi closed his keynote with a message to youth, urging them to embrace their place as emerging leaders. “You do not have to shrink yourself to belong,” he said. “Your role is not only to inherit history, but to reimagine it.” He ended by inviting attendees to repeat the closing lines: “I honour the past. I lead in the present. I invest in the future. Black excellence lives through me.”
The event concluded with thanks to ACIAEO partners, local leaders, and community members for their support throughout the month.
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