Redeemer University celebrated black history month by hosting the SHOUT In the House gospel celebration.

The audience enjoyed the song stylings of artist Christopher Samuels and monologues by Samantha Whitney.

The coordinator of the event, Doriel Moulton, describes the event as a gospel music explosion.

“You’ll hear spoken words, there will be some monologues of Rosa Parks, Mahalia Jackson and also all kinds of black gospel music”

Moulton says SHOUT In the House proceeds are being put toward an important cause.

“One of the main reasons to host the event was to raise funds to establish a bursary for a student of African descent which we’ve never done before. Proceeds from the ticket sales and CD sales will go towards the bursary and for me is the highlight”.

Samantha Whitney performed spoken word poetry, an art from that comes from African traditions of storytelling. She says she hopes for people to walk away more informed about black history and culture.

“I hope the audience took away a little bit of knowledge in terms of names of historical figures that are not usually talked about and a sense of hope and strength to know that there is more to be done, we can all unite everybody no matter the colour of their skin”.

This celebration was a great start to improving awareness of black history, something Moulton says Canada needs to learn more about.

“Honestly, they either don’t know enough or they don’t care as much because even within the community itself it’s not publicized compared to the US who make a huge deal about it” says Moulton.

SHOUT In the House was an entertaining production, filled with culture and important moments in history brought back to life onstage. It not only gave the broader community some knowledge of black history, but the bursary it paid for will give one student the opportunity of a brighter future.