DARC Night School: Being Masters of Our Stories

It was an honor to speak at the DARC Night School: Being Masters of Our Stories event and to celebrate the vital role of operational funding from the Ontario Arts Council. I commend organizations like the Digital Arts Resource Centre (DARC) for their dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and access within the arts sector.

Together, we can foster a more inclusive and dynamic arts community that truly represents the diversity of our society. I extend my gratitude to DARC for inviting me to participate in this meaningful gathering, and I thank the Ontario Arts Council for their ongoing support of the arts in our province.

The Digital Arts Resource Centre proudly presented its first Night School lecture of 2024: “Being Masters of Our Stories.”

As part of Black History Month, speaker Patrick Kabeya explored the transformative power of storytelling and the unique perspective of being an African creator. From ancient oral traditions to modern mediums, we celebrated the rich tapestry of African narratives and examined the role of creators in shaping and reclaiming these stories.

Lecture Outline:

• The Power of Storytelling

• African Narratives: A Rich Tapestry

• The Role of African Creators

• Reclaiming Our Stories

Speaker
Patrick Kabeya is a Congolese-Canadian award winning Documentary film producer, best known for the 2019 feature length documentary film From Patrice to Lumumba (2019) and Congo: Une tragedie politique (2018), the first in a 3-part series on the political history of the DRC. As well as the mini documentary series Congo: History Series (2018). He received a nomination for the 2020 African Documentary of the year, as chosen by UNESCO for From Patrice to Lumumba (2019).