Meet Odum Abekah
In Honour of Black History Month, Meet Ambrose Staff Odum Abekah
What does Black History Month mean to me?
I continuously process what this month means to me, but at this point in my life, I consider it a reclamation - a celebration of culture, relationship and works that are certainly unique, but are uniquely excellent and powerful. I’m grateful that voices similar to mine are now being heard and respected.
Who are some of my African-American heroes and why?
Robert Nathaniel Dett springs to mind; he was one of the first prominent Canadian-American black composers of the late 19th/early 20th Century. Dett is an inspiration to me both for what he was able to create musically (The Magnolia Suite is a masterpiece of piano composition), as well as doing so in a time period which I can only imagine was difficult and full of the lived-in strife of the African-American experience. He inspires me to continue reaching for more with my musical aspirations.
Viola Davis has also been a hero of mine this past decade. Her excellence in the realm of acting is sublime and it warms my heart to see her succeed. What encourages me most is how she constantly uses her platform to advocate and lift others up. She champions the wins of her peers and those of the next generation; I aspire to share that same inclusivity with others.