Information Morning performances celebrate African Nova Scotian culture

It may have been before the sun rose, but it didn't take long for the mainland Information Morning audience to get into the energetic and memorable performances celebrating African Nova Scotian culture during a special live show.

On Friday, the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia in Cherry Brook, N.S., welcomed the Information Morning team and many special guests. 

Kirsten Olivia

Singer Kirsten Olivia performs "Strange Fruit" for Information Morning

8 years ago

Duration 3:09

Artist and actor Kirsten Olivia sings "Strange Fruit," a song made famous by Billie Holiday.

Her fans say R&B singer Kirsten Olivia sings with a maturity beyond her years. The performing artist and actor from East Preston, N.S., was introduced to music at a young age, singing in her church's children's choir.  

Olivia went on to graduate from the Music Arts Program at NSCC. She won the 2013 African Nova Scotian Music Award for Emerging Artist.

Allysa Flint

Allysa Flint reads her award-winning poem for Information Morning

8 years ago

Duration 6:05

Allysa Flint reads her powerful piece on the royalty of black women and the Black Livers Matter movement.

Flint submitted this poem to African Nova Scotian History Challenges, an annual event held by the Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute. It won the "Express Yourself" category.

The challenges are designed to encourage students to learn more about the contributions African Nova Scotians have made to the history, heritage and culture of the province. 

Flint was a Grade 12 student at Prince Andrew High in Dartmouth at the time. She's now a student in the Radio Television Journalism program at NSCC. 

Cyndi Cain

Educator and singer Cyndi Cain performs for Information Morning

8 years ago

Duration 3:20

When Cyndi Cain isn't on stage singing, she's busy working as an African Nova Scotian student support worker for the Halifax Regional School Board.

Information Morning listeners are no strangers to the soulful voice of singer Cyndi Cain. 

But when Cyndi isn't on stage, she's busy working as an African Nova Scotian student support worker for the Halifax Regional School Board. Cyndi runs a program at Oxford School in Halifax that aims to empower black students through song and a traditional style of dance called "stomping." 

Oxford School's Stomp!

Stomp! group from Oxford School in Halifax performs for Information Morning

8 years ago

Duration 5:34

Stomp! is a program that aims to empower black students through song and a traditional style of dance called "stomping."

Maje

Rap artist Maje performs for Information Morning

8 years ago

Duration 3:34

Maje (or Michael Earle) of East Preston performs for Information Morning at remote show in Cherry Brook, N.S.

Rap artist Maje wants to help build a more positive hip-hop community with his music and lyrics.

Maje — or Michael Earle — is a 25-year-old from East Preston. He won Music Nova Scotia's Viola Desmond Songwriting Award two years ago. 

Last year, he put together a short film about East Preston and his goal to speak with pride and honesty about his community.