Canadian-Cameroonian musician Wise Atangana launched a $100,000 fundraiser Sept. 11 for an Afro-Black cultural centre in downtown Ottawa with the release of his album, “Justice for Peace #BlackLivesMatter.”
The centre, which will feature a professional audio-visual production studio, as well as a collaborative workspace for youth, is expected to open in January 2021.
The fundraiser launch took place in front of a mural on Bank Street and featured prominent speakers, including city councillors Rawlson King (Rideau-Rockcliffe) and Catherine McKenney (Somerset).
Atangana plans to raise money through album sales, which cost $100 each and will include a digital copy of his album, CD and tickets to an online concert on Nov. 14.
In a radio interview with Charlatan Live, Atangana said the goal of his music was “to inspire and motivate youth and all ages whilst boosting self-esteem and promoting social change.”
He said his inspiration for the cultural centre came from the creation of his latest album, and through his interactions with youth in the community.
“I didn’t have the idea to build the cultural centre before,” he said. “It was a whole process.”
King expressed support towards the centre’s importance not only to his ward but the city of Ottawa.
“It’s important for youth to have opportunities,” King said. “And this project fulfills both of those mandates.”
The centre is one of many projects that has stemmed from the Black Lives Matter movement, which brought to light systemic inequality that minorities continue to experience in their communities. For many, breaking this cycle of injustice starts with providing opportunities for youth.
Emmanuel Duala-Ekoko works on public relations and community outreach for the centre. He said the main goal the team hopes to achieve is helping Ottawa youth.
“The goal is to create a centre that will help fight systemic racism amongst the youth, and also provide resources for Black youth … creating a platform where we can advocate for and give opportunities for youth.”
King also said he believes in this message of youth empowerment.
“I want [youth] to know that there are people in the community that obviously are concerned and want to ensure both their well-being and success,” he said. “I think that that’s an important message—especially in racialized communities that are becoming more and more marginalized.”
King said the work of Atangana and his team confirms this. Duala-Ekoko hasn’t hesitated to stress the importance of their work.
“I’ve been running lots of community workshops, and community programs as well, and I’ve actually seen the need for these kinds of resources to be available for youth,” he said.
Duala-Ekoko added that he would like to see youth channel their creativity through the different studios the centre will allow them to access.
“In that way, we’ll be empowering Black youth in the Ottawa community area. We’ll be empowering Black artists and lots of young potentials which never get noticed.”
Abby Adair
Featured image provided by Wise Atangana.
