BY SARA MILLER
A night that gathers some of Toronto’s most talented artists under one roof, the Afro-Caribbean Team (ACT) will be holding its first annual Afro-Caribbean Heritage Month concert with proceeds benefitting the Africentric Alternative School.
The Celebration of Education concert, which is hosted by Janet J-Love, will feature a large cast of talented acts that will include performances from Tony Anthony, Ammoye, Jade Faith Douglas, Kenny C and Juno award nominee, Tasha T.
In addition, the line up will also include entertainment from dub poet, Devon Haughton, spoken word artist, J.L. and a special dance performance from the students of the Africentric Alternative School’s Dance and Drama Troupe.
“Our children are depending on us to provide them with every advantage possible in being successful and that includes providing our schools with resources so that we can better equip our children with knowledge of the world around them, using the most current teaching tools available,” says Dewitt Lee III who will be in attendance at the concert as a special guest speaker.
The Africentric Alternative School was created in 2009 in a response to address the dropout and education gap-affecting students of African descent in Toronto. The first of its kind in Canada, the school follows the current Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum but also focuses on teaching students about the history, culture and achievements of those from the African, Caribbean and Black Canadian communities.
But teaching students about their history does more than instill knowledge, it also creates a sense of cultural pride and self-awareness. It gives students an opportunity to discuss prominent black figures in subjects such as science, mathematics and politics which normally wouldn’t appear in curriculums at most conventional schools. Most importantly, an africentric education can provide the tools that a child may need to develop, participate and contribute not only to their own communities but globally as well.
Since its inception, the school has expanded to include students up to Grade 8.
The benefit concert will be held on Friday February 26th, 2016 at the Belleeny’s Lounge and Restaurant located at 4000 Steeles Ave, West. Unit 14, Woodbridge. Tickets are $15.
