Two virtual evenings with award-winning authors to celebrate Black History Month

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

For immediate release

Gatineau, Quebec, January 27, 2021 — The Canadian Museum of History is proud to host two special, free virtual events on February 11 and 18, to mark Black History Month.

On Thursday, February 11, at 7 p.m., join two award-winning local authors, Edem Awumey and Blaise Ndala, as they read excerpts of their works, while engaging in a lively discussion about what it means to be Black in Canada. Edem Awumey is the author of five novels, including Port-Mélo (2006), which won the Grand prix littéraire d’Afrique noire, and Explication de la nuit (2013). Its English translation, Descent into Night, won the Governor General’s Literary Award in 2018. Blaise Ndala has written three novels, J’irai danser sur la tombe de Senghor (2014), Sans capote ni kalachnikov (2019) and Dans le ventre du Congo (2021). His first novel has been optioned for film. The discussion will be moderated by Kalula Kalambay, author, artist and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Salon du livre de l’Outaouais. This event will be presented in French with simultaneous translation in English.

On Thursday, February 18, well-known Canadian author and activist Desmond Cole will take a turn sharing part of his work with the public. Starting at 7 p.m., he will engage in a discussion with Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Journalist Adrian Harewood. Desmond Cole, who is also a journalist and broadcaster, was the subject of the 2017 CBC documentary, The Skin We’re In. His first book, The Skin We’re In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power, was published in 2020.

Join us for these exclusive virtual events by reserving your place now. Get your free tickets at historymuseum.ca.

The Museum of History is pleased to have the support of TD Bank Group for these unique presentations.

About the series
An Evening With… is a series of inspiring talks and performances featuring some of Canada’s most fascinating personalities. Past guests include classically trained Canadian Indigenous tenor and composer Jeremy Dutcher, author and community educator Wanda Robson, and Canadian wildlife photographer Michelle Valberg.

 Work of the Canadian Museum of History is made possible in part through financial support of the Government of Canada.

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