Griffin House National Historic Site and Partners Celebrate Black History Month

Hamilton, ON – Today, in commemoration of Lincoln Alexander Day and Black History Month, Griffin House National Historic Site and community partners invite the public to attend film screenings of “Queen & Slim” and “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” on Monday, February 10, and a presentation by Kojo “Easy” Damptey on Wednesday, February 12.

It is fitting that we promote these events celebrating Black History Month on Lincoln Alexander Day. Alexander attended Hamilton's Central Collegiate and earned a BA from McMaster University in 1949. His state funeral, held at Hamilton Place was attended by more than 1,500 people.” -  John Summers, Manager of Heritage Resources

In partnership with the Ancaster 2020 Film Fest, “Queen & Slim” rated 14A will screen at 1 pm and 7:15 pm and the documentary “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” rated PG at 4 pm at Ancaster Silver City, Golf Links Road on Monday, February 10. Tickets are $10 for non-members at all screenings. Members are admitted with their membership cards. Recommended arrival time is 30 minutes before screening.

Kojo “Easy” Damptey will fascinate attendees with stories of existence, resilience and resistance at a free Coffee and Culture Talk at the Ancaster Old Town Hall, 310 Wilson Street East from 7 to 9 pm on Wednesday, February 12.

Quick Facts

• Griffin House is a National Historic Site of Canada owned and operated by the City of Hamilton. This preserved early 19th century home overlooking the Dundas Valley interprets the story of Enerals Griffin who journeyed to freedom and settled in Ancaster in the early 1830s.
• “Queen & Slim” is about an African American couple on the run after a routine traffic stop gone wrong. They kill a white police officer in self-defense, and rather than entrust themselves to the U.S. criminal justice system, they flee.
• “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” is an artful and intimate meditation on this legendary storyteller. It examines her life, her works and the powerful themes she has confronted throughout her literary career.
• Kojo “Easy” Damptey is an award-winning singer/songwriter born in Ghana and residing in Hamilton. His most recent album, Giants: Stories of Existence, Resilience, & Resistance is intended to communicate the experiences of people of colour.

Additional Resources

• Griffin House National Historic Site: www.hamilton.ca/griffin, [email protected], 905-648-8144
• Lincoln Alexander Day, January 21
• Black History Month
• Ancaster Film Fest
• Kojo “Easy” Damptey
• For the full list of events presented by Hamilton Civic Museums, www.hamilton.ca/museumevents
• For a comprehensive events calendar, download the City of Hamilton CityApp, for Android and iOS users, through Google Play and App Store