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The
The Black history celebration tour started at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum. Once that was completed, the bus transported most of the group of about 35 people to Amherstburg First Baptist Church where Abiola’s husband Rev. Olaniyi Afolabi is the pastor. Many of the attendees were from Windsor and London, though there were some Amherstburg residents who joined the tour and lunch as well.
The Amherstburg First Baptist Church is a national historic site and was originally constructed between 1848-49 as a terminus of the Underground Railroad.
The event concluded at the Columbus Community Hall where there were presentations, including one by renowned local singer and actor Leslie McCurdy, and a pop-up market the Sokoni Black Entrepreneurship Program.
While much of event is regularly presented in Amherstburg, including First Baptist Church, the hall event was
Olaniyi outlined the history of the George St. church, and pointed out the word “Omoluabi” stands for someone who believes in such traits as bravery, courage, hard work, honesty and truthfulness, respects others, humility, intelligence and gives to the community. He said the last time they presented a Black history event in Amherstburg was before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Omoluabi Black History Celebration was funded by the Government of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross.
