The history of our community began with the landing of Black Loyalist and Black Pioneers who were promised land and freedom from slavery if they joined the British in the revolutionary war of 1776. After 16 years, the Black population were still without land. A group led by Sgt. Thomas Peters lead as many as 1200 Black Pioneers and Black Loyalist to Sierra Leone, West Africa.

In May 1970 members of the Black communities of Jordantown, Acaciaville and Conway met as group to deal with employment, housing, education and social needs in the communities. The organization was incorporated in 1973 as Acaciaville Conway Betterment Association and in 2013 was renamed the Jordantown-Acaciaville-Conway Betterment Association (JACBA).

During the last 50 years, the students from the Black community have been subjected to racism and racialized discrimination. Our community has not prospered either economically or educationally. As a result, in 2007, the Digby Education Committee (DEC), filed a class action case to the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission on behalf of the Black communities and students of Digby.

The community was successful in signing a Mediation Settlement Agreement in November 2011. One of the settlement items was to pursue the construction of a Community Center in the Black Community of Digby.

After a period of six years of consultation with the Black Community, the Municipality, Town of Digby and all levels of governments, the DEC and JACBA are finalizing the construction of a Center of Excellence beginning in the Spring of 2023.

As a positive outcome of a negative past characterized by racism and discrimination against Black and African Nova Scotians, the Center of Excellence is a profound opportunity to promote a progressive, multicultural community in Digby, Nova Scotia, that has the power to attract positive attention across the country and beyond.

Once complete, residents and visitors of all ages will be able to come together at the Center of Excellence to benefit from unprecedented programs and services, and to participate in an inclusive community, where all can thrive.

This is an unprecedented opportunity for companies, foundations and individuals to have a significant role in moving our province toward real diversity, equity and inclusion. For more information.