BY: TANEYA ROGERS
T
his Calgary native eases into fond childhood memories of the Calgary Stampede and of community activities held at Bowness Park amidst the curious stares of those less comfortable at the sight of a gathering of Black people simply having fun. Cheryl Foggo describes herself as a filmmaker, playwright, historian, educator and author. While these hats may seem varied, her purpose and vision connect across each role: Telling the stories and documenting the history of the Black community in Alberta.
Arts & Culture
cheryl foggo history in Image Courtesy of Mike Tan
26 MELANISTIC
the arts
Cheryl admits that her work as a historian may sometimes create a conflict with her contributions as a playwright or filmmaker, “As a historian I am committed to the facts and truths of a story but as a playwright I am committed to writing a story that is enjoyable to the audience”. There are times where all the facts are not accessible, and in those cases she taps into her imagination to create a storyline that that bridges the gap in information. This is best translated in her fantastical stage play, John Ware Reimagined that depicts the story of one of Alberta’s first successful Black ranchers. The story allows the audience to engage with this historical
