Black History Month: Remembering the Struggles; Celebrating the Successes

‍

It’s a month marking a painful history and the rise of resistance and resilience.

Every February, Black History Month honours and amplifies the voices of Black Canadians and their communities. Calgarians are among the many celebrating those of African descent, who have greatly enriched Canada’s cultural diversity, compassion and prosperity.

“Black History Month is a time for reflection and celebration of achievements,” TIES President & CEO Sally Zhao says.

“Also, it’s a time to learn from history so Canadians can remain united in our differences for a strong, beautiful, inclusive and harmonious society … beyond Black History Month.”

‍

‍

According to many community leaders, Black History Month 2025 falls amid a climate of “attacks on the racially diverse” — making it even more vital to recognize.

At TIES (The Immigrant Education Society), we recognize all of the 80 different cultures we serve and are proud to profile two of our colleagues during this important month.

‍

Emmanuel’s Story

‍

‍

Born and raised in a small village in Cameroon, in central Africa, Emmanuel Fongeh says his childhood was “not easy”. His father was a teacher, his mother a farmer, and Emmanuel’s days consisted of studying and chores.

His dedication paid off. He completed his undergraduate studies and then moved to Denmark for his graduate studies.
In 2010, he arrived in Canada, eager to start a new chapter.

“There was that shock,” Fongeh admits.

Fongeh faced several challenges, familiar to many newcomers: securing employment, adapting to workplace culture and overcoming language barriers.

“It wasn’t easy. The culture was different. The job search was another struggle. Accent was a problem.”

‍
“Accent reduction” classes didn’t work and he continued to face discrimination and bias. But he also continued to focus on those willing to support and engage with him.

“Emmanuel, you have to be authentic,” he says he was told.

“Speaking the way I speak. Being authentic. Telling my story the way it is. Not trying to be someone else has really helped me.”

Fongeh is now an accomplished bilingual Supply Chain and Project Management Professional, currently serving as an Industry Development Officer in Supply Chain Management with the Government of Alberta.

He’s also held significant roles within the federal government, contributing to national-level emergency logistics, procurement, and policy development.

Beyond his governmental roles, he’s committed to mentorship, including teaching roles at SAIT and TIES (The Immigrant Education Society). His own journey with TIES began in 2013 as a participant in the Project Management Course, and today, he’s proud to give back as an instructor.

Fongeh believes most racism is “unconscious” but adds it still exists even when it comes to his young daughters.

That’s why, he adds, Black History Month continues to be so important for those who suffered in the past and those who will continue to struggle in the future.

“Unless you’ve had these experiences, you won’t know the struggles,” Fongeh points out.

“It would be ideal not to need it (Black History Month)…but I think we need to celebrate and remember.”

‍

Eyerusalem’s Story

‍

Eyerusalem Gulma was a determined child. She had to be, as a female growing up in the capital of Ethiopia.

Crammed into a public school classroom of 60-70 students, Gulma strived to stick out and be recognized as one of the “smart kids”. Someone worthy of a university education — something usually reserved for males and those with money.

“My family was not from the rich side of the city,” she says.

She may not have been wealthy, but she was smart. Smart enough to be one of only a handful of students from her class with marks good enough to succeed.

Her perseverance at University continued and five years later she graduated with a law degree. She was hired as a public prosecutor, fighting high-profile criminal cases at the Federal High Court.

Four years later, she gave birth to her first child and decided to start her own law firm where she practiced until moving to Montreal, Canada in 2016.

“Then I immigrated and the struggles started,” she says.

Gulma thought she could pick-up where she left off. She was wrong.

“I found — unemployment, my education, certification doesn’t matter here. You have to start from scratch.”

She decided to focus on social work since she had a Masters in that back home as well.

Then in 2019, she and her family moved to Calgary. The struggles followed her.

“It was not an easy journey. It’s hard to say, but I’m not sure it’s worth it or not at this point.”

What the mom of three IS sure of is the importance of Black History Month. Not only for her family, but for everyone.

“I want everyone to recognize the journey Black people went through,” she says. “I want to show my kids where they came from, where their roots are and to be proud of those roots.”

“You’re here today enjoying what you have because of the sacrifices others before you made.”

Eyerusalem Gulma is working as a LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) coordinator at TIES (The Immigrant Education Society).

It’s not what she expected or hoped to do in Canada, and she says, “there’s still a long way to go”, but she has no regrets. She’s grateful to give her children the values and respect they’ve received here.

Again, all things she doesn’t believe would have been possible without the sacrifices of those before her.

“They give me strength. They give me the encouragement to be what I want to be one day.”

‍

Media RSVP, Interviews & Inquiries:

Tomasia DaSilva

Media and Relationship Strategist

Email: tomasiadasilva@immigrant-education.ca

Phone: 403-291-0002

‍

‍

‍