Black History Month calendar: February to April laureates
Posted February 26, 2024 11:30 am.
Last Updated February 26, 2024 6:26 pm.
A cyclist, a community worker and an artist are among the 12 laureates – one for each month of the year – featured in the 2024 Black History Month calendar.
“Many Stories, One History” is the theme of the 33rd edition of Black History Month in Montreal. The calendar was created by the Round Table on Black History Month.
Papa Amadou Touré
February’s laureate is Papa Amadou Touré, who created Vélo Caravane, the first bicycle school in Quebec.
It was a long road for Touré, who arrived in Quebec in 2003 only to find the medical training he began in Senegal was not recognized in his new home. He eventually became a bicycle courier, which ultimately led to the creation of Vélo Caravane.
Touré has taught thousands of adults — many from other countries — how to ride a bike.
Kathy Roach
Community worker Kathy Roach is featured in March.
“Be kind, that’s my motto. And you know, I’m so blessed and I feel really hounored to be able to work and be passionate about something I love to do,” Roach said.
From working with families, children, teenagers and seniors, Roach is known as an inspiration in the Montreal community.
“Côte-des-Neiges Black Community Association, I started there in 1989, really volunteering. And I came in there with spunk and energy,” she said.
Her positive energy was clearly felt in the association’s Teen Leadership Program, where she was a coordinator for 27 years.
“’Leadership’ was basically not just a community but a family,” said Roach. “And I always make sure that everybody felt as one.”
She helped build teenagers’ self esteem, giving them a sense of belonging and appreciation.
“Just enjoy and be yourself because you can’t hide from yourself,” she said.
Joseph Sarenhes
That message of being yourself is embodied in artist Joseph Sarenhes, who is highlighted in the month of April.
“The first time I was on stage, I was three years old,” Sarenhes told CityNews. “And I remember there’s this funny story where my parents were like, ‘no, you can’t come on stage because you’re too young.’ And I just like walked through the crowd and I just climbed on the stage and I stole my older brother’s instruments and I started to play.”
Today, Sarenhes is a singer with tones ranging from hip-hop and rock to R&B, while incorporating traditional Afro-Aboriginal elements.
“Since we were born, me and my sisters and brothers, we really bathed into the culture of West Africa,” he said. “We learned the instruments, the djembe, balafon and many others.”
The foundation of his music is his roots – being born in a creative family. His father was a west African traditional dancer.
Being one of the 12 laureates in the Black History Month calendar has fuelled him to continue to spread his message of unity.
“It’s a lot of pride to be able to be at the same table of all those people,” said Sarenhes.
“It’s really important for people to be showcased and recognized for their work,” added Roach.
