Windsor marks 5th annual Emancipation Jubilee

CTV News

2 days ago

Dozens gathered inside the Sandwich First Baptist Church on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, to sing gospel songs and hear stories from elders. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor)
Emotions of joy and happiness are sparked for Leslie McCurdy during the recognition of Emancipation Day in Windsor.
Through the course of the weekend, McCurdy and fellow members of the Black Council of Windsor-Essex have organized the 5th Annual Windsor-Essex Emancipation Jubilee.
In marking the historical event, the chair of the council noted it's a celebration of Canada's role in the Underground Railroad, but also an acknowledgement of its past.
'I think that there's a little resistance to celebrate emancipation in Canada because in order to do that, you have to admit that there was slavery in Canada,' McCurdy said.
Windsor emancipation day
Leslie McCurdy, left and Lana Talbot, are members of the Black Council of Windsor-Essex. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor)
On March 24, 2021, the House of Commons voted unanimously to officially designate Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day.
On that day, 192 years ago, the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect across the British Empire.
'So, we need to celebrate the Canadian history, because that's what's important to me as a Canadian to celebrate the progress that we are making, although there's still a lot to be done,' McCurdy added.
The three-day event began on Saturday and featured music, food and an opportunity to hear from elders, among other events. On Sunday, community members gathered at the Sandwich First Baptist Church for a service, talks, and a gospel concert.
Lana Talbot, an elder with the Black Council, said there's a sense of 'nostalgia' in hearing from other elders and listening to gospel songs.
'We are trying to keep tomorrow in our forefront,' Talbot said.
'If we forget our past, we are doomed to repeat it.'
Both McCurdy and Talbot noted that a significant element of the Jubilee is to continue education on Black history and emancipation.
They noted Canada and Windsor-Essex, specifically, face shortfalls when it comes to Black youth employment and representation in elected and managerial roles.