Forum: Beyond the Underground Railroad – Black history in Chatham-Kent

Starting February 15, 2021

Beyond the Underground Railroad – Black history in Chatham-Kent features the curators from Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site, the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum and the Chatham-Kent Black Mecca Museum in conversation with creators and researchers from across the province. Discussion will spotlight the successes of museums and communities across Ontario in bringing Black stories and achievements to the forefront.

Guests for this free talk include:

Dawson Bridger, Ontario Heritage Trust

Manager of Public Education and Community Development at the Ontario Heritage Trust, Dawson Bridger talks about Heritage Matters Live – an annual lecture series hosted by the Trust that examines Ontario’s complex histories through rich storytelling. This year’s virtual program features author Esi Edugyan, who will speak about her internationally acclaimed novel Washington Black. (Register for Heritage Matters Live here)

Brock Greenhalgh, author

In the fall of 1934, a team of Black athletes from Chatham and area earned the opportunity to compete for a major baseball championship. The inspiring story of the Chatham Colored All-Stars is told in a beautifully illustrated children's book entitled Hard Road to Victory. The author discusses his inspiration for telling this remarkable sports team’s story.

Blair Newby, Chatham-Kent Museum

Between 1948 and 1956, members of the National Unity Association (NUA) from Chatham, Dresden and North Buxton waged a campaign for racial equality and social justice. The Coordinator of Museum Programs at the Chatham-Kent Museum, Blair Newby, talks about their upcoming exhibit honouring the NUA.

Angel Panag

Documentary filmmaker Angel Panag shares a trailer for his forthcoming film, The North Star: Finding Black Mecca. He discusses how Chatham-Kent’s rich Black history connects to the rest of the world.

Camryn Dudley, vocalist

Born and raised in the Underground Railroad community of North Buxton, Camryn Dudley will perform Glory, a song by American rapper Common and American singer John Legend.

For more information:

Contact: Steven Cook, Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site
Telephone: 519-683-2978
Email: utchs@heritagetrust.on.ca
Website: www.heritagetrust.on.ca/utchs

This pre-recorded forum will be available to watch starting February 15, 2021 here.