BHM23: African Descent History in BC

Surrey Archives      9 Feb 2023      Online Via Microsoft Teams      Partner/affiliate event

6:30pm – 7:30pm

In the spirit of Black History Month, Surrey Archives will host guest speaker Yasin Kiraga Misago, President of the African Descent Society of BC. During the free, virtual, one-hour session, he will highlight BC.’s early history of African descent, dating back to 1858. Misago will then bring the conversation local to discuss Surrey’s African diaspora story.

Yasin Kiraga Misago, President of the African Descent Society of BC
Yasin Kiraga Misago

One of the earliest Black families to set roots in Surrey was the Scott family. Moving to Surrey from the southern US in 1912, Henry Houston and Amy Scott soon became integral residents of the Cloverdale community. They raised their three youngest children, Roy, Jesse and Benola, on a seven-acre parcel of land near today’s 64 Avenue and 181A Street. Some of the Scott family’s orchard still stands today. In 2019, part of the family property was officially designated Henry Houston Scott Park by the City of Surrey.Misago will open the conversation with attendees, taking questions and encouraging story telling. The African Descent Society of BC, promoting arts and culture in BC, plays an important role in shaping local and provincial educational resources. Their African Descent History Education program offers numerous ways to engage with the history of the African diaspora in the Lower Mainland, the province and across Canada.

How to Register

Register online or call 604-501-5100.