Spruce Grove, AB – Feb. 2, 2026 –Spruce Grove marked a historic milestone this week as B.L.A.C.K.S. Parkland and Africentric Arts led the city’s first-ever public Black History Month proclamation ceremony. The event celebrated the significant contributions of Black Canadians and highlighted the city’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, and community engagement.
Jan Gillans, Spruce Grove City Councillor and President of B.L.A.C.K.S.-Parkland, and Francess Cowan, Vice President of B.L.A.C.K.S.-Parkland and President of Africentric Arts, called the event a defining moment for the city, one that was symbolic and deeply personal.
Mayor Jeff Acker officially proclaimed February 2026 as Black History Month in Spruce Grove. “Black History Month is a chance for Spruce Grove to show how inclusive and welcoming our city is to all,” said Mayor Acker. The proclamation acknowledged Canada’s House of Commons recognition in 1995, the Senate’s formal adoption in 2008, and Alberta’s provincial proclamation in 2017. It also highlighted the ongoing contributions of Black Canadians to local life, including identity, culture, advocacy, business, art, justice, sport, and politics. The statement recognized the historic and continuing struggles against discrimination and inequity, while reaffirming the city’s commitment to supporting underrepresented groups.
Although MLA Searle Turton was unable to attend, a statement from his office was read at the ceremony. In it, he called Black History Month “a meaningful opportunity to honour the legacy, achievements, and contributions of Black Canadians who have shaped our province and our country.” He added, “Their leadership, resilience, and cultural influence continue to strengthen our communities. I am proud to join you in spirit as we celebrate Black History Month together.”
The ceremony opened with Maria Charles, a young youth performer, singing the Canadian national anthem in French and English, reflecting the country’s bilingual heritage. A particularly powerful moment followed when Francess Cowan read her original poem, I Am, which traced a lineage from pre-colonial African civilizations through the trauma of enslavement and displacement to the present day, speaking to survival, resistance, memory, and reclamation.
The poem concluded with a vision of continuity across generations:
“I am the past still speaking.
I am the present unafraid.
I am the future walking forward
in the light our elders made.”
The ceremony brought together a diverse group of community members from Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County, and Edmonton. Attendees included children and youth, Spruce Grove City Council members, and representatives from the Spruce Grove Community Social Development Team. Among those present were:
Pastor Rod Charles, Bethel Apostolic Church
Sgt. Ron Bumbry, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Alberta Division
Clint Boodram, TD Regional Manager for Black Community Business Development
Ahmed Noor, Executive Director, Partners for Humanity Foundation
Dr. Lorraine Stewart, Board Chair of Parkland School Division and President of the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta (PSBAA)
For many attendees, the ceremony was a powerful reminder that Black history and Black futures belong at the heart of civic life. As Spruce Grove joins municipalities across Canada in formally recognizing Black History Month, organizers emphasized that the work continues beyond February, in classrooms, boardrooms, churches, and council chambers alike.
About Africentric Arts
Africentric Arts is a non-profit that empowers children and youth through arts, wellness, and leadership programs rooted in African culture. Its programs build confidence, creativity, and cultural pride while fostering community connection.
About B.L.A.C.K.S. Parkland
Black Heritage & Cultural Kindship Society-Parkland (B.L.A.C.K.S. Parkland) is a community organization dedicated to celebrating and advancing understanding of Black history, heritage, and contributions in the Parkland region. The group also focuses on building connections, fostering cultural pride, and supporting community growth.
