COLD LAKE - The Cold Lake Energy Centre buzzed with excitement as the Cold Lake Black Community hosted its first-ever end-of-year celebration.
The Dec. 8 event was filled with vibrant games, plenty of food, and a rich showcase of culture. The event united Afro-Caribbean members and the broader community in a celebration of heritage, belonging, and a groundbreaking year for the newly formed association. It also provided an opportunity to educate attendees about the Black community in Cold Lake.
“This is the end-of-year party for the Cold Lake Black Community Association. The Cold Lake Black Community has come together to form an association, and that would include the Afro and the Caribbeans in Cold Lake,” said Sandra Ubabukoh, President of the Cold Lake Black Community.
The idea for the association came from Ubabukoh’s personal experience.
“It is an initiative that I had, to bring the Black community together,” she said. “I moved from Edmonton, and we had something like that there. So, when we came to Cold Lake, three years down the line, I saw the need to have that in Cold Lake too. Because it was like something was missing.”
The event not only served as a festive occasion but also a platform to raise awareness about the community’s presence and purpose.
“You see a few of us here and there, but we are here, and we've come to stay,” Ubabukoh said. “Part of having this event, [it] makes us feel more comfortable and willing to stay here and call this place home.”
Celebrating unity and culture
The evening opened with emcee Solape Odeniyi acknowledging special guests, including City of Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland and councillors Bob Mattice and Adele Richardson.
Tasha Brown, social relations officer for the community group, also highlighted the vibrancy and diversity within the group.
“We are a vibrant, diverse, and talented group of individuals from all across the Black diaspora, representing nations near and far from Nigeria to Jamaica, from Ghana to Barbados, Cameroon to Gambia, Congo to South Africa, and so many more,” she explained.
She spoke about the importance of creating spaces to celebrate Black culture and unity.
“This is about connection, support, and celebrating the richness of our heritage, while contributing to the fabric of this beautiful city we all call home,” she said.
A growing community
The association has already made strides in establishing resources for its members, including African hairdressers, a growing African store, and other businesses that cater to the unique needs of the community.
“These - and many things - have transformed our experience of living in Cold Lake,” Ubabukoh said.
Josephine Olusoji-Akomolaye, the association’s secretary, reflected on the personal connections fostered during the event.
“This activity is a rounding off of our year 2024 and it's an opportunity to know ourselves . . . and just to meet, wine, dine, and enjoy the season,” she said.
Looking ahead
Ubabukoh summed up the mission of the Cold Lake Black Community Association, stating, “The Cold Lake Black Community Association is more than just an organization. It's a symbol of hope, resilience, and community. We are proud of what we've achieved, and we look forward to continuing to build a vibrant, thriving community that celebrates our heritage.”
She added, “We really want to be here, we really want to call this place home, we love it here and we want to put our best to make the community of Cold Lake get better than it is.”
