Black History Month - In Their Words - Marcia, Lab Assistant III

Black History Month is an opportunity for our hospital, all organizations and all individuals across the country, to recognize and honour the past and present contributions of Black Canadians. Throughout the month we will be sharing stories from our staff and physicians as they reflect on what Black History Month means to them.

Black History Month is here again! Let’s celebrate all the broken barriers, the tribulations endured, and the African culture and history. Africans came a long way and still have a long way to go as oppression is still present and ongoing and appears in many forms. Salute to all the notable men and women who have paved a way for us to continue on.

I am very pleased Joseph Brant Hospital has recognized and implemented the improvement of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plan which uses an anti-oppression approach in the workplace. The staff here at Joseph Brant are diverse and so are the patients we care for.

The African diaspora caused a loss of identity, and as an Afro-Caribbean person, I wanted to gain back a part of the identity that was lost. So, I completed a genetic test and learnt I'm from the Yoruba tribe…it was a very fascinating and humbling experience to learn such information. So, as we enter Black History Month, I encourage everyone to celebrate, learn and explore African Culture. Happy Black History Month! (And, shout out to all my fellow Yorubans!)