02/28/2026
Yesterday over 50 people from the community gathered at The Storefront to celebrate Black History Month through story, culture and connection. Black Histories of Scarborough: Knowledge, Migration and Culture was a living expression of joy, excellence and belonging, along with a reflection of the Black leadership that continues to shape our community.
Residents, grassroot leaders, and partners filled the room with Afrobeats, Reggae, Soul, heritage dishes and powerful storytelling. From the living museum to shared histories and table conversations, the afternoon celebrated the resilience, creativity, and cultural richness of Black communities in East Scarborough.
We were honoured to welcome the office of Andrea Hazell with MPP office representative Elphy Makwene-Tanzey, who recognized 4 distinguished resident leaders, Barrington Douglas, Agnes Thompson, Tara Omorogbe, Dovie Rochester, whose stewardship and creativity are integral to our local ecosystem.
As staff, we reflected on what we heard, stories of migration, ancestry, systemic racism, belonging, and courage. We know there is no Storefront history without Black history. Centering Black voices, experiences, and leadership is part of how we build community. Black excellence is foundational to who we are and how we move forward together.