(Image Credit: Red Deer Polytechnic/Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Feb. 2 ceremony

RDP announces cultural initiatives to celebrate Black History Month

Jan 30, 2026 | 4:49 PM

Red Deer Polytechnic will hold a flag-raising ceremony next week to begin the first of many on-campus initiatives to celebrate Black History Month.

On Monday, Feb. 2, the ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m., followed by speeches inside the polytechnic’s main entrance.

“At Red Deer Polytechnic, we are steadfast in our commitment to nurturing an equitable, inclusive and respectful environment, one where every student, employee and community member is truly seen, valued and empowered,” said Rambo Nyirimihigo, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Advisor at Red Deer Polytechnic, in a media release. “By creating cultural experiences across our campuses, we open doors for our community to broaden their understanding and engage in conversations that inspire growth, curiosity and make a lasting impact.”

The celebration is set to take place in collaboration with the Students’ Association of RDP, as they welcome the public to take part in multiple initiatives.

Throughout February, the institution will acknowledge the contributions and lived experiences of black students, faculty, staff and community members.

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Additional Black History Month initiatives and events on RDP’s main campus include:

• Button Making | February 4 | 11 am-2 p.m. | Stairs leading up to the Students’ Association
• Cultural Fair | February 5 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Red Deer Bottling Forum
• Black Student Peer Support | February 3, 10, 17 & 24 | 9-11 a.m. | Peer Lounge
• Music | February 6, 13, 20 & 27 | 11:30-1 p.m. | Red Deer Bottling Forum & The Patch
• Book Display | February 20-27 | RDP Library
• Jamaican Patties (while supplies last) | February 23 | 11:30 a.m. | Outside FarSide
• Fashion/Art Display | Throughout February | 1500 Hallway
• Student Panel | February 26 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Margaret Parsons Theatre
• Hair Braiding | February 27 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Red Deer Bottling Forum
• Research Spotlight with Dr. Juliet Onabadejo | February 24 | 12-1 p.m. | Global Hub

In addition, the exterior lights of the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre will display red, yellow and green lights throughout February, covering the building with a PanAfrican inspired light display in the following symbolic colours:

• Red represents the blood that unites people of African descent.
• Yellow represents the richness of people of African and Caribbean descent.
• Green represents the abundant natural wealth of the diaspora, a population that is scattered across regions and separated from its geographic place of origin.

“Black History is not just about surviving. It’s music, fashion, leaders, inventors, culture and the people who changed the world around us. And that’s why this year’s theme is ‘Beyond the Narrative: Reclaiming our Stories,’” said Jacq Patterson, President, Students’ Association of RDP. “While being survivors is part of the story, it’s not the whole story, and in fact, the story is still being written. When we reflect on Black History, we see change-makers, perseverance and a legacy of courage that continues to shape our world.”