On Thursday, November 16, the New Brunswick Black History Society launched an interactive timewalk exhibit in the UNB Saint John Commons. The innovative exhibit will help deepen understanding of black history in New Brunswick. 

Highlights of the exhibit:

• Explores the contributions of several Black New Brunswickers throughout history
• The display is interactive! The touchscreen allows viewers to have a unique experience while interacting with the display
• It is an educational tool, promoting diversity and inclusion in New Brunswick
• The exhibit was constructed in collaboration with the community
• The exhibit recognizes and honours individuals who have contributed to New Brunswick’s development

The unveiling

During the unveiling event, a few people shared how significant the exhibit was and how the exhibit allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of black history that we can use to inform our actions. 

Ralph Thomas, the co-founder and program coordinator for the New Brunswick Black History Society stated: “The time-walk exhibit is not just a display, it’s a journey through time allowing visitors, including students and the UNB Saint John community, to explore the profound contributions and experiences that Black African New Brunswick gave us over the centuries.” 

Nadia Richards, the AVP of human rights and equity at UNB, highlighted how the exhibit can help guide us towards an inclusive future: “We can use these stories to inspire our actions and fuel our commitments to make the future more inclusive.”

The New Brunswick Black History Society

The New Brunswick Black History Society (NBBHS) was founded in June of 2010. According to their website, their mission is “dedicated to the research, analysis, documentation, and preservation of New Brunswick’s Black History.” Their objectives are as follows:

• To gather information concerning New Brunswick’s Black residents, past & present.
• To promote awareness of New Brunswick’s Black history.
• To encourage the Black community and the general public to work together.
• To work towards increasing the presence of Black History in New Brunswick’s educational system

To learn more about the NBBHS, visit their website here. 

The exhibit will be displayed in the commons until February. It is located on the second floor outside of the library. Go check it out!