Black Presence in Berlin Walk

Saturday, February 12, 2022

Many people think that Kitchener’s first Black residents only came here in the 1960s and 70s, but did you know that the first Black person actually arrived in Waterloo region in 1806?

On this walk we will talk about Berlin’s connection to the early Black settlers of the Queens Bush settlement. Further, we will visit former sites where Black residents lived, had their businesses and schools in the 19thcentury and learn about their lives and contributions to our community. You will hear about black teachers, a black lawyer, and black domestic workers. One of Berlin’s black residents even ran for office! Come join us to find out who that was.

As we recover and re-tell these histories you’ll look at this town differently and realize that Kitchener’s heritage is more colourful and richer than we thought.