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To pay tribute to the achievements and contributions of African-Canadians, BMO Financial Group today hosted an event to unveil the 2007 Black History Month Legacy poster designed by Toronto artist Robert Small. This year the poster illustrates the contributions that African-Canadian women have made to Canadian culture, and highlights the importance of mentoring.
Representing the Government of Canada to celebrate the unveiling was the Honourable Donald Oliver QC, Senator from Nova Scotia, who was featured in the 2005 Black History Month poster. Senator Oliver, who chairs the Senate's Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, is a prominent Halifax lawyer, business person and community volunteer.
Other distinguished guests at the unveiling event included, the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first African-Canadian woman to be appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary for the Prime Minister of Canada and who was responsible for the introduction of Black History Month in Canada in 1995, and Stephnie Payne; Toronto School Board Trustee.
Ms. Payne is one of three prominent African-Canadian women featured in the commemorative poster. Also featured are Her Excellency the Right Honourable Micha�lle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Dr. Avis Glaze, Ontario's first Chief Student Achievement Officer and founding CEO of The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat.
“These women are highly regarded and accomplished African-Canadians, who inspire all of us with their determination and triumphs,” said Small. "I believe history is the blueprint for the future. Through this poster, I would like to give the next generation of African-Canadians the hope that the future will be brighter than the past."
“Black History Month is about celebrating the contributions by the Black community in Canada and the diversity of its cultures that add so richly to our society,” said Eric Tripp, Co-President of BMO Capital Markets and Executive Sponsor of BMO Capital Markets' Diversity Council. “For the second year in a row, BMO is proud to be sponsoring the Black History Month Art Show, featuring the talents of some of the brightest local artists.”
The poster will be available to school boards and community organizations and will be on display at BMO Bank of Montreal branches across the country throughout the month of February, Black History Month in Canada.
The event was held at the First Canadian Place Gallery in Toronto where six African-Canadian artists also displayed 15 pieces of their own art in an exclusive showing.
About Robert Small
Born in Toronto, Ontario, 38 year-old Robert Small is one of Canada's premier African-Canadian artists. Small is a self-taught artist and is the owner of The Small Gallery, which he opened over a year ago to provide African-Canadian artists with a venue to showcase their work.
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Honourable Donald Oliver QC, Senator from Nova Scotia (right) joined Eric Trip, Co-President of BMO Capital Markets and Executive Sponsor of BMO Capital Markets' Diversity Council (centre) and Artist Robert Small (left) to unveil the 2007 Black History Month Legacy Month Poster at First Canadian Place Gallery in Toronto. The event was held to pay tribute to the achievements and contributions of African-Canadians.
BMO Financial Group today hosted an event to unveil the 2007 Black History Month Legacy poster designed by