Celebrating the Resilience, Innovation of African Diaspora During Black History Month

Over the years, as part of their statutory responsibility, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation, CBAAC, has used the platform to direct attention to matters of concern to Black and African peoples across the world. In fulfilment of that role, Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that the centre recently highlighted the global importance of Black History Month, using this year’s commemoration to honour the African Diaspora’s contributions to world civilisation

Charged with the statutory responsibility of directing attention to matters of concern to Black and African peoples across the world, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) recently held a public lecture to highlight the contributions of Africans during the commemoration of Black History Month Celebration. 

During one of the programmes held recently at the MAD House, University of Lagos, the contributions of Diaspora Africans and the need for Africans to tell her stories, were major highlights as the centre honoured the past, celebrating the present and inspiring the future of African Diaspora, as well as showcasing to the world the tremendous contributions of Black people to world civilisation.

Annual Black History Month

 Black History Month celebration began in the United States as Negro History Week and was instituted by the renowned African American historian, Dr. Carter Godson Woodson. The sole aim was to protest the exclusion of the contributions of African Americans from history textbooks in the United States. Since it began nearly a Century ago, the celebration of the Black History Month has grown and gained global acceptance.

Celebrating the African Diaspora 

Themed “Resilience, Innovation, and Unity: Strengthening the African Diaspora,” the event was held at the MAD House, University of Lagos, and included a variety of programmes aimed at celebrating the past, inspiring the future, and fostering pride in African identity.

This year, CBAAC brought together a wide range of participants, including students, cultural enthusiasts, academics, government officials, and notable figures such as the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, represented by the Director-General of the National Gallery of Arts.

CBAAC placed a strong emphasis on involving young people in the celebration. By engaging schoolchildren and university students, the organisation aimed to instil pride in African identity and advocate for a deeper understanding of the African heritage. 

 The event was further supported by Sterling Bank, showcasing a collaborative effort to promote African heritage.

The event began on a high note with the clips from FESTAC ’77, curated by the Information Management Division of CBAAC were showcased, providing a nostalgic glimpse into African cultural history. 

The Chairperson, Prof. Omobolanle Amaike of the Department of Sociology at the University of Lagos, also shared her remarks, underscoring the significance of unity and collaboration in advancing African culture. A vibrant cultural performance by the MATAFIRIKA Theatre captivated the audience, showcasing the richness of African artistry.

Hon. Aisha Adamu Augie, the Director-General of CBAAC, while emphasising the importance of cultural heritage in her opening remarks, captured the essence of this year’s theme, stating that, “Resilience reflects the enduring strength and perseverance of African and African-descended people throughout history. Despite centuries of enslavement, colonisation, systemic racism, and various forms of oppression, the African Diaspora has continuously demonstrated remarkable resilience”. 

According to her, the theme explored how African communities have faced historical challenges with courage, resistance, and determination, and how this resilience continues to inspire current and future generations, adding that “Africans have negative stories, but we are beautiful people. We are great people who have contributed to the development of the entire world in all spheres of life”.

Corroborating, Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director of Sterling Bank, said, “We always believe that if we don’t tell our story, somebody else will tell it for us. This is why we’ve supported various art events like the Ake Festival and book tours across the country. We want people to read so that they can know our history.

“What CBAAC is doing is a month-long programme which is a way of setting a new agenda for younger people. We like the fact that they brought it to the University of Lagos to engage young people and the fact that they brought in an experienced professor to share his experience and history.”

Sterling Bank’s involvement extended to distributing books to participating students, a gesture aimed at encouraging reading and inspiring the younger generation to write their own narratives.

 The Role of History in Shaping Identity

The keynote address by Dr. Britto Bonifacio Aderemi, Senior Lecturer in the Department of History and International Studies, Lagos State University, delved into the historical context of African resilience where he shared insights into the transatlantic slave trade, which displaced millions of Africans to foreign lands and stripped them of their identities.

“Africa’s history is a long history of suffering as Europeans dehumanised Africans and made them play second fiddle in their own countries until 1994 when we had a free South Africa,” Dr Aderemi said. He noted that many Africans lost their names and cultural heritage during the slave trade, sharing his own story of retaining Latino names to spark curiosity about his heritage.

Dr Aderemi also highlighted the industrial revolution’s role in ending the transatlantic slave trade and the subsequent establishment of Freetown in Sierra Leone as a settlement for freed slaves. While acknowledging the inhumanity of slavery, he pointed out the inadvertent exportation of African culture to the wider world through the enslaved.

Drawing a parallel to contemporary challenges, Dr Aderemi criticised the ongoing “Japa syndrome,” where young Nigerians voluntarily migrate in search of better opportunities. He urged a re-evaluation of this trend, calling for a renewed sense of pride and purpose in African identity.

Panel Discussions on Innovation and Creativity

The event concluded with a robust panel discussion featuring Prince Jon James Olomo, founder of Tribal Tapestry; Ambassador Nneka Isaac-Moses, co-founder of Goge Africa; Osarume Akenzua, a youth development expert; and Dr. Kehinde Adepegba, an artist and historian, where the panelists explored topics such as overcoming historical challenges, drawing inspiration from the past, creativity and innovation as tools for empowerment, and the achievements of African innovators in technology, arts, and social entrepreneurship. 

While speaking, ambassador Isaac-Moses highlighted the potential of Nigeria’s creative industry, adding that, “It’s hard to think of an American artist who would not want to collaborate with African artists”, just as she pointed to the growing global influence of Nigerian music, fashion, and visual arts while urging national leaders to leverage this soft power for development.

On the preservation of cultural heritage, she called for greater pride in indigenous languages and traditions. “We need to be proud of our mother tongue and communicate with our children in our diverse indigenous languages,” she said.

Prince Olomo, who spoke about the importance of technology in reconnecting the African Diaspora with their ancestral roots, also touched on how DNA testing has helped many rediscover their identities and heritage, fostering a deeper connection to Africa.

Dr. Adepegba on the other hand,  emphasised the role of literature in shaping perceptions of Africa. The panel agreed that promoting African literature and storytelling is vital in countering stereotypes and reclaiming the narrative about the continent.

Showcasing African Contributions

The event also celebrated the African Diaspora’s significant contributions to global culture, science, and technology. From the rich traditions of African art, music, and dance to groundbreaking inventions and intellectual achievements, the Diaspora’s influence was a recurring theme.

In her remarks, Hon. Augie reiterated the importance of sharing these achievements with the world. “We are great people who have contributed to the development of the entire world in all spheres of life,” she said, reinforcing the need for Africans to take ownership of their stories.

As the month-long celebration unfolded, it became clear that CBAAC’s efforts were not only about honouring the past but also about setting a new agenda for the future. By involving young people, fostering dialogue, and showcasing the Diaspora’s achievements, the organisation aimed to inspire resilience, innovation, and unity among Africans worldwide.

The discussion left the audience inspired and motivated to embrace the legacy and potential of the African diaspora, but beyond this, the 2024 Black History Month celebration served as a powerful reminder of the importance of owning and sharing the African narrative, ensuring that future generations understand and take pride in their heritage.

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Resilience reflects the enduring strength and perseverance of African and African-descended people throughout history. Despite centuries of enslavement, colonisation, systemic racism, and various forms of oppression, the African Diaspora has continuously demonstrated remarkable resilience