Decade-old Montreal community center continues to play an important role – Montreal

When Greg Fergus arrived at the Cote-des-Neiges Black Community Association (CDNBCA) for one of the group's Saturday events, the children attending a weekly class on black history and culture were intrigued.

Fergus is the first person of African descent to become Speaker of the House of Commons in Canada. One boy wanted to know if he had met former US President Donald Trump.

“I haven't met Mr. Trump, no,” Fergus replied, “but I have met other presidents.”

“Have you met Mr. Obama?” The black boy wanted to know.

“Yes, I met with Mr. Obama,” the speaker replied.

“Real? I thought he was dead,” the boy replied, drawing laughter from the rest of the packed room.

The CDNBCA invited Fergus as part of its Black History Month activities, which board chairwoman Ayanna Alleyn said is just one of a number of activities the group does to serve the city's black communities.

“The way we do it is that it allows us to serve the whole family under one roof,” he explained.

CDNBCA was founded more than 50 years ago to help black Montrealers find help elsewhere because of racism and cultural barriers. Services include summer camps, programs for seniors and even small business support. Fergus, who grew up in Montreal, believes community groups like this are vital.

“It's very important for a number of reasons,” he told Global News. “Firstly, it's reassuring to know that these children are supported. There are people other than their immediate family who are looking out for their welfare.”

He said community groups serving black communities can help young people build networks that will benefit them later in life.

CDNBCA's primary clients are English-speaking Black Montrealers. Volunteer Alleyn says another way they support members of this community is by helping them learn about their heritage. His first contact with the center was at the age of 14, when he learned about his Caribbean culture. For example, he recalls learning how to eat Jamaican meat pies, usually served in a paper bag, from other children at the center.

“The first time I had a brownie, I took it out of the bag and everyone laughed at me,” she said with a laugh. “You should eat the brownie in the bag.”

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Parents like Ebony Levers, who brought her daughter to meet Fergus, note that what children and teenagers learn just by being at CDNBCA goes beyond what is taught in books.

“To have that sense of community and belonging,” she said. “It's very important, especially for a young Black child.”

Many young people who have used the opportunities of the center become volunteers and employees who want to share their knowledge. As does Alleyne, who volunteers, as does Lisa Stanisklaus, who now works as a program manager at CDNBCA.

“If you get the benefit of (coming here), you realize, 'Hey, my kids might need this.' But not only my children need it, others also need it, Stanisklaus noted.

Volunteers and workers interviewed by Global News hope to produce other leaders who will inspire future generations.

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