Brampton’s outdoor memorial a tribute to Emancipation

The City of Brampton unveiled its newest permanent outdoor memorial in its Emancipation Park, located south of Highway 407 at 7599 Dixie Road, Brampton last week.
In collaboration with AstroSankofa Arts Initiative, the City of Brampton held an open call for art submissions. Of the 50 submissions received, a selection committee comprising local and regional Black artists along with local leaders in the Black Community of Brampton chose the design submitted by Kanisha Dabreo, founder of Artistic Perception (Brampton) for her art installation titled, “Fah-who-dis? AstroBlack Joy!”
“This artwork stands as a symbol of hope and the unbreakable spirit of our community,” says Dabreo, the project’s lead artist. “With the unveiling of Fah-who-dis? Astro-Black Joy? we honour the legacy of those who fought tirelessly for freedom and justice, and we commemorate their strength and resilience. 
Through visual storytelling, its presence underscores the significance of acknowledging and commemorating our history, resilience and contributions of past and present while envisioning and collaboratively working toward a future founded on equity and justice.
“Stand with pride knowing you are a part of this rich history.”
Dabreo’s winning submission was a collaborative effort with fellow artists Jason O’Brien, Jamera DaCosta and Komi Olafimihan. Additional design assistance was provided by four local aspiring youth creatives Malachi Watson-Narcisse, Rihanna G., AY Johnson, and Denee Rudder. The project’s artist team mentored them.
“Fah-who-dis? AstroBlack Joy!” is composed of two structures that are meant to symbolize a dialogue. Standing 10ft wide and 10ft high, the south-west structure represents the “Global South” (pre-1867). The north-east structure signifies Canada where emancipation was actualized. Both structures share a famous quote by Marcus Garvey, split into two, emphasizing the responsibility and empowerment tied to emancipation: “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery,” and “None but ourselves can free our minds.”
AstroSankofa Arts Initiative held a local community consultation on February 29, 2024. From this meeting, the winning art project’s themes were decided: unity, empowerment, Black liberation, resilience as well as the legacy and connections to Marcus Garvey and his Black empowerment efforts; and Caribbean emancipation legacies (www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQx8cvFXxJ4).
About Dabreo’s Afrofuturistic installation, Quentin VerCetty, founder and director of AstroSankofa Arts Initiative says, “There is no future without acknowledging the work, the fight and everything that our ancestors went through.”
“We are thrilled to unveil AstroBlack Joy as a part of Brampton’s public art collection,” says Kelly Stahl, Director, Cultural Services, City of Brampton. “This memorial embodies the collaborative spirit of our community and the incredible talent of our artists. It is a vibrant and thought-provoking piece that will inspire conversations and reflections on Emancipation Day and beyond.”