“We wish to have fun black tradition all year long,” mentioned Shelly-Ann Skinner whereas presenting the latest cultural custom within the area: the Afro Fusion Neighborhood Vogue Present.
A celebration of the African tradition was exhibited on Sunday afternoon whereas the fashions walked alongside the monitor for the primary trend parade of the Fusion Afro neighborhood on the 5 Factors theater within the middle of Barrie.
The occasion, organized by Uplift Black Middle for Social Justice and Invusion, was destined not solely to function a chance to have fun black tradition, but additionally to assist increase funds for the newly fashioned Black coalition of Simcoe County, mentioned Shelly-Ann Skinner, president and founding father of Uplift Black.
The coalition contains greater than 10 organizations within the area which might be “black LEDs, black and black -centered portion,” he advised Barrietody Earlier than the style parade.
“It is a chance to focus on a few of these organizations and unite the neighborhood to have fun the tradition and wealth of those that are a part of the African diaspora,” Skinner mentioned.
“That is additionally a showcase to unite these native artists and creatives to behave and be along with award -winning designers. They get a little bit of that further elevation amongst those that are extra superior of their skilled journeys.”
This system highlighted a number of members of the Uplift black artists collective, and gave the occasion workforce that has been working with Uplift Black lately the chance to “take a notch” serving to to plan and set up a bigger -scale occasion, he added.
“At present is actually only a celebration, and at some point we hope to carry yearly,” he mentioned, mentioning that the intention is to happen yearly.
“We wish to have fun black tradition 365 days a 12 months, not solely throughout the month of black historical past,” he mentioned.
“We additionally wish to join the historic fantastic thing about African tradition with the mainst present and what’s occurring at present. I feel it actually has not seen something that has been held by African tradition on this neighborhood on this approach earlier than. We actually imagine that it’s nice to unite the neighborhood to see what these unbelievable black designers have to supply.”
All collectively, greater than 75 folks participated in this system ultimately, added Skinner, starting from fashions and designers to volunteers.
Whereas Sunday’s occasion could not have taken the viewers that he was ready for the primary time, Skinner is assured of transferring ahead, the phrase will prolong.
“For the primary, it may be troublesome for folks to go away. We all know that after the thrill of this occasion, now we have so many photographers, influential people who find themselves in area that can actually enhance it, so folks is not going to wish to get misplaced this 12 months.”