Black Artists Network of Nova Scotia

DAVID WOODS: POEM IN HONOUR OF JUNETEENTH (EMANCIPATION DAY JUNE 19, 2026 USA)
Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to mark the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to ensure the last enslaved people in the U.S. were finally freed. Canada celebrates Emancipation Day on August 1 annually

EMANCIPATION DAY CELEBRATION IN NOVA SCOTIA
Emancipation Day Parade Laurier St, Whitney Pier, Cape Breton 1921 featuring The United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) Band. Black communities in Whitney Pier, Glace Bay, and New Waterford all organized UNIA halls at the turn of the 20th century in Cape Breton. The UNIA Hall in Glace Bay (founded in 1918 in the Sterling) is the only one still standing and is now a cultural museum. Marcus Garvey visited the Whitney Pier UNIA hall in 1928.
Research: David Woods Photo courtesy of The Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University

CONGRATULATIONS TO ANGELA BOWDEN (NEW GLASGOW)
Shortlisted for the The 2026-2027 Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award. 'Black Boy' was illustrated by BANNS member Ibe Ananaba, Halifax.
The Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award is selected from 40 nominated Canadian books (20 English and 20 French) for students in Grades 4 to 6 to read and vote

LESLEY STRUTT POETRY CONTEST - DEADLINE AUGUST 13, 2026
The League of Canadian Poets · Follow
Calling all poets! Submit to the Lesley Strutt Poetry Contest 🌀
The Lesley Strutt Poetry Contest is an award that provides a $500 prize for the best single poem submitted to our judges. This contest is open to all poets (professional, emerging, and first-time) in Canada and is run each summer in memory of poet and friend Lesley Strutt
For contest information, eligibility requirements, and submission guidelines, please visit this link on poets.ca: https://poets.ca/offerings/awards/ -strutt

Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum
Happy 99th birthday to Artis Shreve Lane!
Artis is very talented sculptor and painter from Chatham and Buxton. She has sculptures in the White House and sculpted the bust of Mary Ann Shadd Cary that resides in B.M.E. Freedom Park.

The 8th House: Poetry and Short Stories brings together emerging and established Black writers in Nova Scotia for community events in May 2026 in Halifax, Annapolis Valley, and Cherry Brook, featuring live readings of poetry or prose from the participating writers. The project culminates in a zine that captures the work of the participants and is distributed to local bookstores, as well as being for sale at the live events. The theme for the event, the 8th House, represents ancestors, transformation, death, rebirth and tenacity.

WRITERS FEDERATION OF NS WRITERS RESIDENCY PROGRAM
Up and coming writers work on their book projects with mentorship from established writers.
✨ shalan joudry, Atlantic Indigenous Writer’s Residency
✨ Sig Burwash, DAWN Residency
✨ Angela Bowden, Delmore “Buddy” Daye Residency
✨ Margo Wheaton, Robert Pope Foundation Residency
✨ Jaime Forsythe, Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia Residency
✨ Lindsey Harrington, Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia Residency
✨ LeoNia Elms, Oliver-Craig Black Writers’ Retreat
✨ Lisette Sumbu, Oliver-Craig Black Writers’ Retreat
To learn more about these writers and their residency and retreat projects, visit https://writers.ns.ca/.../2026-27-jampolis-cottage.../

OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS TO DISPLAY ARTWORK AT HALIFAX COMMERCIAL SPACES

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