Afro-Caribbean Association of Manitoba

The Afro-Caribbean Association of Manitoba Incorporated (ACAM)

ACAM was founded on March 8, 1968 with Kofi Amoh as its first president. Today we take great pride in the fact that our presidents have hailed from several countries- Belize, Dominica, Ghana, Jamaica, Nigeria, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago.

ACAM was incorporated on June 1, 1972. On April 15, 1974, ACAM took possession of premises at 259 Watt Street. After renovations the centre was officially opened on July 31, 1976, and on September 1, 1981, we paid off our mortgage.

The Afro-Caribbean singers became well known locally and put out an album “Sun, Spirit and Soul”, in 1975 and had a subsequent re-release as a CD in 2007. The Afro-Caribbean dancers constitute an on-going tradition, and has performed in Manitoba, USA and in Jamaica.

ACAM has been in Folklorama since its inception in 1970, starting out on Morley Avenue, then moving to other locations including Crescentwood Community Centre, River East Arena, Technical Vocational High School, Sargent Park School and presently Grant Park High School.

ACAM has published the Black Historical Calendar for many years and in 1994 sponsored the Book ” Black Experiences in Manitoba”. ACAM endeavours to encourage and to meet socio-cultural needs. To that end there are Summer Drop-in centre, children’s Christmas party, a very popular seniors’ Christmas dinner , a traditional Harambee, Dinner theatre productions and Job Recruitment Fairs.

ACAM, embracing all strands of the Black historical experience, has made a valuable contribution to the vitality of the Manitoba Mosaic. There are always new challenges. We will stay the course for the betterment of all of us, in building and sustaining a vibrant community.