By Sydney Alexandra, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On February 12, 2025, a meaningful discussion of representation, creativity, and culture was sparked at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre during an event entitled “Harmony and Belonging: Celebrating Black Excellence Through Art.” Hosted by the Halton Equity Diversity Roundtable (HEDR) in collaboration with the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH) and Halton Region Police Service, the event showcased the powerful work of Black artists while fostering a critical dialogue on inclusivity and belonging in Halton.
Leading this discussion was director and poet Akil McKenzie, who guided an engaging panel featuring artists Paul Dias, Enoch Oppong, Miriam Lea, Komi Olafimihan, and Kristen Allicock. Through thought-provoking questions, McKenzie encouraged the panellists to reflect on their personal experiences with belonging and how those experiences shape their artistic expression.
Lea lifted spirits with her song “Cloud Watching” and shared her belief in the power of art and music to foster unity and harmony.
“The exchange of musical traditions between cultures promotes mutual understanding and respect, contributing to a harmonious and inclusive society. Music is that universal language that touches the soul, expressing joy, excitement, sorrow, and nostalgia. We connect in times of celebration, hardship, comfort, and solace,” Lea said.
During the discussion of fostering belonging through artistic expression, Dias shared how he weaves themes of belonging into his work and expressed deep gratitude toward the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton for fostering that sense of community.
“I’d have to say CCAH gave me that feeling of belonging…I sit here, and I look in front of me, and if I don’t belong, who does? Look at the audience, all of these people who don’t know me, who are sitting here listening to me. CCAH gave me that opportunity.”
Allicock shared her struggle with being biracial, often misidentified by people who questioned her identity as a Black woman. That journey shaped the power of her art.
“Being of mixed-race heritage, my features can be a little confusing to some,” Allicock explained. “We come in all different shapes, sizes, skin colours, and hair textures, but I had to convince people of my existence — that I do belong and I can belong. I’ve experienced that very triggering question, ‘What are you?’ Not ‘Where are you from?’ or ‘What’s your cultural background?’ It felt like I was an object.”
“I spent a lot of my life defending my Blackness — what it means and what it looks like. I’ve often been questioned, and some of that does spill into my art.”
The panellists were asked about their thoughts regarding the removal of Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and 2SLGBTQ+ holidays from Google’s online and mobile calendars.
“I believe that when people see diversity, when they hear stories, it can change minds,” said Olafimihan. “When we’re having conversations in public spaces, people may feel shy to ask specific questions, but through art, there’s a lot of communication. February comes and goes every year, but what you see in February is different from what you’re going to see in July or December. And you know — we remain Black 12 months a year.”
Oppong emphasized the complexity of Black experiences and how art reflects them.
“Our struggle comes from all different parts of the world and different experiences. My work is based on Black bodies telling different stories. Life is so complex — you can’t look at just one part. We go through different things every day, and with each day, we make a different choice.”
McKenzie highlighted the importance of shifting narratives in Black storytelling.
“I have so many stories to tell…Stories don’t have to be about Black problems. It doesn’t have to be, ‘They’re from the hood’ or ‘There’s this drug problem.’ We live lives on a day-to-day basis. I can create with Black characters and make it fun. I think that’s new and refreshing.”
Dias spoke passionately about the necessity of preserving Black history and representation in art.
“It is absolutely reprehensible that Black History Month should be given any fight to the degree where it starts to disappear. But you know what? It can come back — through the back door, side door, whatever door — because this artist is Black. And the landscapes that I love to paint, you won’t see Black history but they were painted by an artist that is Black historical.”
Through powerful artistic expression, Harmony and Belonging: Celebrating Black Excellence Through Art provided a space for important conversations on identity, inclusion, and representation. The event stressed the essential role that Black artists have in shaping cultural narratives — not just during Black History Month, but all year round. As the discussion made it very clear, the need for spaces that celebrate diversity and foster belonging remains as vital as ever.
