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Our Gala is an inspiring and celebratory evening marking the culmination of Black History Month (BHM) sponsored by Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region and the EmpowRise: Entrepreneur Training Program.This reflective yet vibrant event brings community members together to honour and experience Black culture, reflect on the past month of Black History Month programming, celebrate achievements and our collective progress, and build meaningful connections in a welcoming and engaging space.
Doors open at 4pm and will include a mix-and-mingle kick-off, programming begins at 5pm. Dinner by Abie Kreations, a Black-owned Business Panel, the Black Excellence Awards ceremony, live performances, an educational history presentation, highlights from the month, a silent auction, and more.
🔸 History Presentation 🔸
Topic: Black History in Alberta, 2nd Construction Battalion and this year's theme: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow's Visionaries
About the presenter, Ms. Donna Coombs-Montrose is a storyteller, a community activist and a history advocate who lives in Edmonton, Alberta. Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, she moved to Toronto to study library science in the late 1960s, was involved in the Black Power Movement in the 70s, and then relocated to Edmonton with her family in 1998. Months later, she started volunteering for Cariwest, Western Canada’s largest Caribbean arts festival, and eventually became its president for ten years. She’s been involved in organizations such as the Alberta Labour History Institute, Caribbean Women Network, the Congress of Black Women (Edmonton Chapter), and several others.
As the City of Edmonton’s Historian Laureate, she tries to take a unique approach to telling the stories of the migration, history and experience of Black Canadians.
🔸 Black-owned Business Panel 🔸
Moderated by the emcee, Kofi Kwarteng, and Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region Executive Director, Holly Sorgen.
Panelists:
Kibrom Afework - Mr. Pretzels, Franchisee
Demar Anderson - DiAndersons Family + MJ Squared
Georgia Greenwood-Duncan - Taste of the Tropics Eatery + Miss Fuller Woman Competition
Dr. Jennifer Adams-Hessel DC - Northwest Wellness Centre
Shannae Delancy - Nurse Kelli-Sue’s Naturals
🔸 2026 Black Excellence Awards 🔸
An award ceremony recognizing individuals and organizations whose contributions have uplifted and empowered the community.
2026 Awards:
🏆 Black Youth Award - Sponsored by Hayes Fry Law
🏆 Black Community Impact Award - Sponsored by New Horizon Co-op
🏆 Black Business of the Year
🏆 Community Ally Award - Sponsored by BIPAN Support Services
The Grande Prairie Intercultural Association and the Black History Month planning committee invite the local community to the 2026 Black History Month Gala to come together to recognize, learn, and experience this annual event.
The dress code for the evening is semi-formal to formal.
Pre-registration is required, tickets will not be available at the door.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
KMSC Law Performing Arts Theatre, Grande Prairie, Canada
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
