Hon. Wanda Thomas Bernard: Honourable senators, I rise today, grateful to be on Algonquin Anishinaabe territory, to bring attention to the remarkable contributions of Eddie Carvery III, a community advocate, activist and the grandson of activist Eddie Carvery, whom I introduced last week.

Following in the footsteps of his grandfather — Eddie Carvery, Sr. — Eddie III has an unwavering dedication to social justice. He is relentless in his pursuit of equality and inclusion for the people of Africville. Eddie is the co-creator and co-host of the award-winning podcast “Africville Forever,” produced during the peak of the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement and the surge of awareness regarding anti-Black racism globally.

Witnessing his grandfather’s activism and having his own personal and profound experiences of anti-Black racism pushed Eddie to embark upon a new approach to carry on the legacy of his ancestors. “Africville Forever” engages listeners through the stories, struggles and resilience of Africville, with the hope that Africville continues to be acknowledged worldwide. It highlights the persistent desire of community members to one day return to Africville, ensuring that the land is returned and developed for the benefit of the entire community.

Eddie also gives back to his community through his professional life, ensuring African Nova Scotians have a place in an industry that occupies the land that was previously Africville. Eddie serves as the implementation lead for the African Nova Scotian Pathways to Port Careers Project. His focus is on engaging youth by creating career opportunities for African Nova Scotians in port and port-adjacent fields.

I admire Eddie Carvery III. I admire his commitment to preserving Africville’s history through podcasting and his essential work in creating employability opportunities for his community. He is leading real change.

Eddie Carvery III is living evidence of the multi-generational resilience within the Carvery family, African Nova Scotians, African people and the descendants of Africville. For this reason, I stand with Eddie on his quest for justice, equality and the restoration of Africville’s rightful place within our society.

Thank you, asante.