Ujunwa Aja-Onu, left, only took over as executive director of the Black Cultural Society of P.E.I. in June but says the role has already been fulfilling. With her is Jasonique Moss, a board member with the society. Photo by Dave Stewart /The GuardianArticle contentGrowing up in Nigeria involved some struggles for Ujunwa Aja-Onu and she hopes to use that experience to help ease the lives of Black people in Prince Edward Island.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentAja-Onu took over as executive director of the Black Cultural Society of P.E.I. in June.Article contentArticle content“As a little kid, I never had an opportunity to have a bedtime story at night,” Aja-Onu told The Guardian in an interview on Oct. 8.Article contentArticle contentShe did not want to go into much detail about her upbringing, saying only that her both of parents died long ago and her family is scattered.Article content“But I was very fortunate coming out of that space to have people who supported me in my education, (who helped me) build bridges along the way. That drove me to work and help people.”Article contentBuilding communityArticle contentAja-Onu arrived in P.E.I. in December 2021 to pursue a masters in Island studies at UPEI. After that, she started working with different committees on community development in a variety of sectors.Article contentWhen former executive director Tamara Steele departed the Black Cultural Society of P.E.I., Aja Onu jumped at the chance to lead the team.Article content“It is about one person helping another, that’s how community is built. That has been something that has defined me; that is what this work is all about, having the opportunity to work with our P.E.I. community.”Article contentShe said her calling is to build bridges for others.Article content“And that’s because when I look at my own history and background there was a lot of struggle growing up.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentHealing connectionsArticle contentJasonique Moss, 25, who sits on the society’s board of directors, said she answered the same calling.Article contentMoss was pregnant with her daughter, Bell, when she moved to P.E.I. from the Bahamas in 2022. Moss said she did not know anyone in her new home and was attempting to get out of an abusive relationship.Article contentMoss wanted to help others in similar circumstances, creating the Thriving in Colour program which helps Black and Indigenous women who are survivors of gender-based violence.Article content“Not only did I recognize the situation I was in, but I began to explore what healing could look like for myself but also be able to do it for other women in the community,” said Moss, who also works with a restorative justice program at the Provincial Correctional Centre in Milton Station and Women’s Network P.E.I.Article content“I go in and talk to women about what being on the inside is like and help them reconnect with their families,” Moss said.Article content Ujunwa Aja-Onu, left, executive director of the Black Cultural Society in Charlottetown, said Omar Broderick, an artist and director of the province’s anti-racism office, put together this collage of some members of the society, which hangs in the office. With her is Jasonique Moss, a board member with the society. Photo by Dave Stewart /The GuardianArticle contentCulture shockArticle contentAja-Onu said she was not expecting what became the biggest adjustment to arriving in P.E.I.
New head of Black Cultural Society of P.E.I. aims to build bridges
