By Jack Brittle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Florence Meares Public School hosted its second Afro-Caribbean Market last week, following the inaugural event in 2023. The event was founded and organized in a volunteer capacity by Local-News.ca reporter Kezia Royer-Burkett.
“The inspiration behind organizing this Afro-Caribbean Market was to feature local Black-owned businesses, talented local Black artists, musicians, and performers, and our local Black leaders. I wanted to highlight people in the Black community contributing to our community and doing great things right now,” explains Royer-Burkett.
The event featured local Black-owned businesses, performances from singer-songwriter and early childhood educator Ms. Aria (Aria Zenua, founder of The Teeny Tinys children’s music programs), as well as two-time Juno Award-winning percussionist Roshane Wright.
Vendors and musical artists were located in the school gym, while traditional Caribbean and West African food from D Hot Shoppe and Chef Frank of Chiedu D Chef, both Burlington-based businesses, was available in the hallway outside.
An art gallery was set up next to the gym, featuring art from Frame Five Media, GTA-based artist Hans Poppe, as well as contributions from Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School’s Black Student Union.
Students from Hayden were also welcome at the event.
Hello Hair, a group that holds educational hair-care workshops, was located in a vacant classroom near the gym, offering hair assessments, scalp analysis, and haircuts to students.
Anita Grant, Hello Hair’s founder, spoke about why the organization often holds and participates in events aimed at youth.
“We support what we see as a knowledge gap in education and hair care,” Grant said. “We’re not teaching you how to style per se, but how to better understand your hair, which ultimately helps you understand your whole self.”
Grant said that her inspiration to start the company was very personal.
“I neglected my hair for most of my life,” Grant said. “When my previous business closed, I had to rediscover who I was outside of that identity. My hair became that catalyst to self-identity.”
“I always say hair is more than just the aesthetics and the cosmetics that we see,” Grant continued. “It’s a reflection of our overall health and wellness. You can see the stress, your nutrition, and your environment.”
She said that hair is very often used as a symbol of assimilation, and so when Black people embrace their natural hair, it is a way of expressing pride in their identity.
Sampson Ayeh, the vice principal of Florence Meares, said that although he only recently began in the role, he was well aware of the success of the 2023 event.
“I think representation is huge,” Ayeh said. “Obviously, students are here to learn, and achievement is obviously a priority. But part of the multi-year strategic plan with the school board is the community aspect. We talk about kindness and equity, and I think this is a highlight of what we are doing, not just in the school or the classroom, but also showcasing that we’re here to collaborate and to work.”
Ayeh said that students were very excited to have the market back at the school.
“You saw the excitement in their eyes,” Ayeh said. “The students themselves put a lot of work in. They did the posters, and they tried to get the word out there. For me, student voice is really important in regard to when you start any sort of initiative.”
Ayeh said he hopes to make the market an annual event.
Chantal Gray, author of the Abigail’s Adventures children’s book series, had a booth at the event advertising her work. Gray said the books are partially autobiographical and are based on her experience as an immigrant growing up in Canada.
“[It’s about] trying to fit in at school, being bullied and using what we call bubbles in Jamaica,” Gray said. “They’re hair accessories, and they are a symbol of strength for the little girl, Abigail, who is named after my daughter.”
Gray said that each colour bubble Abigail wears represents a personality trait that she likes about herself.
“It’s a self-esteem-building book,” Gray said. “I’m a registered social worker, so I bring that into my work and the books.”
She said events like the market are important because they “show other little girls that there are characters in books that look like you, can affirm you, and make you feel good about yourself.”
