Promoting our Culture

The Taste of Africa event, established in 2020, is an annual celebration of Black History Month. It provides an opportunity to share the stories, histories, and achievements of people of African and Caribbean descent with residents of St. Albert.

The event showcases a rich cultural experience, featuring poetry, storytelling, armchair travel to different African and Caribbean countries, a fashion parade, live musical performances, cultural dances, and food tasting.

Taste of Africa is a ticketed event held at the 500-seat Arden Theatre, bringing the community together to celebrate diversity, culture, and heritage.

The Afro-Caribbean Festival began in 2019 as a small “Evening in the Park” event and has since grown into a vibrant annual celebration showcasing African, Caribbean, and other cultural communities.

This free, family friendly event is open to everyone and takes place in the park, creating a welcoming space for the whole community to gather and celebrate diversity. Local vendors and community groups are invited to set up tents to promote their organizations and sell goods and services to the public.

The festival also features live performances through partnerships with various cultural organizations, highlighting music, dance, and artistic expressions from different cultures.

Culture Days takes place every September across Canada, and we proudly participate in partnership with the St. Albert Cultivates the Arts Society. Together, we host engaging, hands-on sessions such as cooking, sewing, dance, and craft-making, giving participants meaningful opportunities to learn about different cultures through practical experience.

In 2025, we expanded our Culture Days programming to seven schools, bringing cultural activities directly into classrooms. Students took part in dance workshops, steel drumming, and cooking demonstrations, helping to integrate cultural learning into Physical Education, Music, and Foods classes. This approach supports deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity through interactive, experiential learning.

This initiative began during the period of global awareness following the George Floyd demonstrations. We recognized the need to engage directly with elected officials, policymakers, and community partners to discuss incidents of racism, discrimination, and the challenges faced by our members as people of African descent and as newcomers.

These conversations are intentionally focused on raising awareness, building understanding, and advocating for meaningful change in policies, practices, and community systems to create a more equitable and inclusive society.

Black History Month was officially proclaimed in St. Albert for the first time in 2020. Since then, we have delivered educational presentations on Black history and its significance to a wide range of audiences, including schools, the Chamber of Commerce, corporate organizations, social clubs, and retirement homes.

Black History Month is a dedicated time to honor the rich heritage, achievements, and ongoing contributions of Black people and communities. It recognizes their vital role in shaping Canada and the world, while also acknowledging the ongoing struggles against racism and inequality. Through education and awareness, it promotes greater understanding and appreciation of Black culture and history.

As part of the annual proclamation, we also recognize and celebrate Black-owned businesses in St. Albert, highlighting their contributions to the local community and economy.