“Every February, Canadians mark Black History Month, an important annual celebration of the accomplishments of Canadians who trace their family heritage to Africa and the Caribbean. The proud legacy of black Canadians goes back to the early beginnings of Canadian history. The great sacrifices and tremendous contributions of their community have helped to create the Canada of today”. – The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister for Multiculturalism – February 2014.

The African-Caribbean Association of SGD, The Francophone Immigration Support Network for Eastern Ontario and the Cornwall Public Library invite the public to attend a ceremony to close the activities held to commemorate the Canadian Black History Month in Cornwall at the library on Saturday, February 22 at 11:00 am. You will be introduced to the history of the black community and its contribution to the Canadian socio-economic, cultural and political environment. Special guest speaker Maryse Bermingham will speak on behalf of the Black community. She holds a Master degree in sociology and a Bachelor degree in psychology from the Ottawa University.

For the last 14 years, she has worked as director of the multicultural liaison officer program at the Ottawa community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO). This program supervised by Mrs. Bermingham allows Francophone newcomers enrolled in French‑language schools in the city as well as their parents to settle in their new environment through regular interventions and information on resources available in Ottawa. In addition, Mrs. Bermingham provides provincial intercultural training through institutions such as the faculties of education and social service of the Ottawa University, the school boards, the hospitals, etc.

She was involved in a great deal of researches on immigrants’ issues and their integration within the host community for both the provincial and federal government. She performed a study for the Ontario Ministry of Education within twelve Francophone school boards on the newcomers’ integrative and welcoming methods in their schools.

Outstanding guest-speaker, she presented everywhere across the province in particular at the ACELF Convention, at La Cité Collégiale, at the launching of ALF PDF program and the MEO linguistic development policy, to name a few.

For more information regarding this event, please contact:

Elise.edimo@cesoc.ca and et kemi_o@yahoo.com

Or by calling the following phone numbers : 613-407-5181, et au 613-935-8069, and 613 935 3305.