On the last Friday of the month of February, Trent University Durham held their annual Black History event, which included a mix of academic and cultural presentations and exhibits and filled the hallways of campus with visitors, artisan vendors and community groups. 

Themed, “Black Women Paving the Way,” the program was jam-packed with female speakers, entertainers and musical artists.

“Black women’s experiences of slavery, discrimination, systemic oppression, racism, and dehumanization inspires me to make a greater contribution to our society by taking part in the Black History Celebration each year at Trent University Durham,” noted Rose Marcells, student chair of the Black History event committee. “This year I truly wanted to honour of the legacy of those women who have paved the way for us to be at university.”

Highlights of the evening included an academic talk by McGill University Ph.D. candidate Patrina Duhaney, who discussed her research in black women's experiences with law enforcement in which they are charged and/or arrested for perpetrating violence against their intimate partners. Motivational speaker, life skills coach, spoken word poet and entertainer Nicolle Coco LaRain gave an inspirational and engaging performance that had the audience up on their feet and cheering.

Capping off the evening was the presentation of the annual Local Hero Award, which recognizes the contributions that a female individual has made in advancing the cause of equality within a diverse community. The 2015 Local Hero Award was given to Celina Caesar-Chavannes who has substantially advanced the cause of equality within the workforce and the public forum. By her example, Ms. Caesar-Chavannes has demonstrated that women can excel and take leadership positions in professions where few exist.