About this Event
How Well Do You Really Know Vancouver?
Discovering our city's Black history and opening new opportunities for the next generation
You've probably walked through parts of Vancouver hundreds of times without knowing the stories behind them. But did you know that Vancouver once had a thriving Black community centred around Hogan's Alley? Or that Black settlers were helping shape British Columbia as far back as 1858?
These are just some of the stories that rarely come up when we talk about Vancouver's history.
On Tuesday, December 1, we're welcoming Roy Dilbert, a Black history researcher, storyteller and founder of The Snow Rhinos Foundation, for a conversation that will take us through a side of Vancouver many of us may not know.
Roy has spent years researching and sharing the stories of Black communities in BC, from the people and businesses that helped build our city to the neighbourhoods and institutions that shaped their experiences. But what makes his work particularly interesting is that he doesn't stop at history, he connects those stories to the opportunities available to young people today.
For example, we live in a city surrounded by mountains, where skiing and snowboarding are part of our culture. But what happens when a young person has never had the opportunity to experience either? Through The Snow Rhinos Foundation, Roy is working to change that.
His organization has already introduced more than 70 Black youth to winter sports at no cost, providing everything from equipment and transportation to lessons and mentorship.
And it's not simply about learning to ski. It's about giving young people the chance to experience something new, build confidence, develop friendships and feel that these spaces belong to them too.
During this presentation, we'll discover some lesser-known chapters of Vancouver's history, explore how the past connects to the experiences of Black youth today, and hear how Roy is turning that understanding into practical opportunities through his foundation.
For a club with a 114-year history of service in Vancouver, this is also a chance to learn more about the communities around us and discover new perspectives on the city we call home.
Whether you've lived in Vancouver your entire life or arrived more recently, there's a good chance you'll learn something you didn't know about our city.
We hope you'll join us for what promises to be a fascinating look at Vancouver's history, its communities and the opportunities we can create for the next generation.
Guests are welcome! If you know someone interested in Vancouver's history, community development or youth programs, please invite them to join us.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Rotary Club of Vancouver
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Event venue & nearby stays
Terminal City Club, 837 W. Hastings St., Vancouver, Canada
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