City of Kitchener’s equity team hosts fireside chat with elected Black leaders

The City of Kitchener invites the public to a fireside chat with local elected Black leaders and allies on February 28 as part of the City’s Black Heritage Month activities.

Special guests Kitchener Councillor Ayo Owodunni, MPP Laura Mae Lindo, Regional Councillor Colleen James, and Waterloo Region District School Board trustee Maedith Radlein will share their perspectives as Black leaders and politicians. The event will feature light refreshments from The Caribbean Kitchen and Muya Restaurant. Entertainment will be provided by Juno Award-winning recording artist Carlos Morgan and more.

“The recent municipal election saw new people being elected locally, helping ensure that our elected offices are more reflective of the community we serve,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Thank you to our Equity, Anti-Racism and Indigenous Initiatives team and staff committee for organizing this event as part of Black Heritage Month, and as part of their ongoing work with community  partners  to remove systemic barriers, and to aspire together towards a caring community and inclusive and equitable Kitchener for all.”

Sophia Stanberry, director of the equity team, said this year’s Black Heritage Month theme is Black Resistance - Celebrating the ways in which Black people have resisted oppression and discrimination in the past and present.

“Our fireside chat recognizes and celebrates the momentous accomplishments of our Black elected officials as part of an historic election year toward a more representative government in the region,” she said. “We look forward to hearing how these leaders have been able to navigate various systems and how they overcame systemic barriers to get to where they are.”

The event takes place in the City Hall Rotunda from 4 - 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Networking begins at 3:30 p.m.

Registration is required for news media and the public. Seating is limited. Visit the registration page or the Black Heritage Month web page for more details.

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For more information, contact:

Shawn Falcao 
Manager, Corporate Communication
City of Kitchener
Shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca