Kelso’s conservation area became a vibrant celebration of black culture, connection and community on July 26, while Halton Black Voices (HBV) organized its annual Healing Community Healing and Black Campout food.
More than 100 families from the entire Halton and Hamilton region arrived with tents, blankets, garden chairs and open hearts for a weekend of laughs, music and shared experience.
What began as a base initiative during the pandemic to offer safe and affirmative spaces for black people living in Halton has become a beloved summer tradition.
This year’s event presented meals that filled the air with the rich aromas of the Caribbean and African cuisine.
The attendees spent the day soaking the sun, exploring panoramic paths and playing dominoes until late at night.
Despite a little rain, families stayed excited, hugging the experience and waiting to camp, connect and simply be in the community. For many, it was more than a camp.
“I love being close to my black town,” Stewart Las Las Celes de Hamilton said. “It feels good that we are the majority here, not the minority.”
His wife, Malene Stewart, first discovered HBV during the pandemic through her virtual reading club. That experience became a lasting connection. “Last year it was the first time of our family in a tent,” he shared.
“The children made instant friends. My son Jonah met a group of children once, and throughout the year he spoke of missing them. This is how the connection is executed.”
This year, the Stewarts returned with two of their four children: Noah, 19 and Jonah, eight. She said she was “waiting for the battery, music, dance and simply walking in nature. It’s fun to sleep in a tent, even though I don’t like insects,” he laughed.
‘They have created something significant’
The accessibility of the event arose as one of its most shocking characteristics.
“If this were not an event led by blacks and rooted in the community, we would probably have never been camping,” Lascelles said. “Camping never felt that I was destined for us. But the HBV changed that. With the cost of living so high, they have created something significant that does not come with a financial burden.”
Shaunice Dorsy, from Hamilton, agreed.
“This is our second year camping with HBV, but the first as a complete family,” he said. “For many black families, there is a story of non -camping. Seeing other black people here is healing. Energy is different. It is special.”
Dorsy’s mother joined the camp for the first time at the age of 68. “Every year they try to make camping,” he said with a smile. “But it’s just one night, I’ll survive one night.”
For Dorsy, the most valuable part of the experience was simple. “Honestly, my favorite part is simply to restore. Unplug him. And feel safe.”
Adejsiola Atiba, a local leader and candidate for the current selection in Milton room 1, also joined the celebration. “Banking is my profession, but the community is my passion,” he said. “Getting to the outdoor food is an opportunity to connect, with culture, with neighbors and with the purpose.”
The infectious energy of the DJ icon, the official DJ of the HBV, maintained the high spirit throughout the day as its vibrant mixture of Afro-Caribbeans, Hip-Hop and Soul resonated in the park, attracting curious viewers and campists for a long time.
The families who had never heard of HBV, but camped in Kelso during the weekend, found themselves dancing, sharing meals and joining the celebration. Many said they will return next year.
The day was full of a variety of activities, from arts and crafts with May Touuma to an animated performance by Sasha and The Dope Band, drum circles and guided walks. The families enjoyed the aquatic park in Kelso Conservation at no cost, and the friends joined Campfire s’Mores.
On the morning of July 27, the campers slowly began to pack shops and refrigerators, but the impact of the weekend persisted.
“Growing up in a predominantly white community, I never had this,” said Malene Stewart. “This sense of inclusion, support, belonging. I would like to have this when I was younger. It is magic to be out of nature, together.”
Founded in 2020, HBB was built on the basis of dismantling systemic racism and amplifying black voices. Through events such as outdoor food and camping, the organization continues to encourage the joy, healing and strength of the community in generations.
Chizoba Obidigbo-EGBO, a member of the Burlington Board, summarized it better while sat next to his family under the trees: “This is how the legacy looks.”
To obtain more stories about the experiences of black Canadians, from anti-negral racism to success stories within the black community, visit Be black in CanadaA CBC project that black Canadians can be proud. You can read more stories here.
