Calgary's new pop-up space on Stephen Avenue celebrates Black culture
A previously empty storefront in downtown Calgary is now the location of a pop-up space celebrating Black culture and excellence.
The University of Calgary announced the project on Monday.
The pop-up – located at 808 First Street S.W. – provides a space for Black communities, local leaders, artists and musicians to come together, display or perform their work.
Transformative Racial and Spatial Justice: Celebrating Black People’s Knowledges and Contributions is a collaboration between the U of C's Faculty of Social Work Anti-Black Racism Task Force and the School of Architecture Planning and Landscape (SAPL), led by Dr. Patrina Duhaney.
"This space will offer an amazing opportunity to celebrate Black contributions in Calgary’s downtown," Duhaney said in a release.
The Calgary Design Clinic has been converted into a space for the Black Youth Summer Leadership program. (Photo via Zoltan Varadi, Faculty of Social Work)It will also house a summer youth leadership program that will allow 23 participants (age 15-18) to develop their leadership abilities.
"It creates access for youth in spaces they are often excluded. Activities in the space are intended to illuminate the intersections between race and space, and to dismantle and transform oppressive spaces that minimize or exclude Black contributions."
Through the youth leadership program, participants will take part in a series of workshops and activities to bring awareness to emerging issues in Black communities and develop an action plan to enact change.
"Locals and tourists will also appreciate the vibrant infusion of Black art and culture," Duhaney said.
"The project is intended to recognize the strength, resilience and plight of Black people while advocating for Black inclusion through spatial justice opportunities."
Transformative Racial and Spatial Justice: Celebrating Black People’s Knowledges and Contributions officially opened to the public on Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.