It’s Black History Month! February is a special time to celebrate Black history, honour those who fought inequities and those who continue to break through systems that have been traditionally exclusive. If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you’re familiar with my own experience as a Black woman in Kingston. I shared back in 2020 what it can sometimes feel like to live here. Since then, I’ve found a stronger sense of community and belonging and much of that has been thanks to the Black Luck Collective, a community group of Black Kingstonians that share resources, support and opportunities to connect with each other and celebrate our respective cultures.
In light of Black History Month, local brewery, Something in the Water, is launching an Imperial Stout called Black Waves to recognize and celebrate the local Black community. They will be launching the stout this February 17 with events on the 18th and 19th. A portion of the proceeds will go towards Black Luck Collective to create future opportunities and support growth. On Saturday, February 18th there will be a mixer for the Black community to gather from 3-7pm and a food pop-up on Sunday the 19th.
Founder of the community group, Lavie Williams, says, “It is a pleasure working with General Manager Bailey Jewitt and Something in the Water Brewing Co. to bring to Kingston and Toronto Black Waves Imperial Stout. This special recipe has been brewed in partnership with our [Black Luck] collective – the name and graphic are the brain child of Black Luck’s members. Partnerships like this one are exemplary particularly as they engage the local Black community. In addition to supporting us with much needed dollars to grow and build a foundation here in Kingston, we are able to take up space in places that often see us as ‘outsiders.’ So to my Black folks, come and take up space! And to the broader Kingston & Toronto communities the stout will be released Friday, February 17.”
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