Nova Scotia CommunityFormer residents and descendants of the historic Black community of Africville have voted to dismiss the board of directors of the Africville Genealogy Society, arguing it is in violation of its own bylaws.But board being ousted describes process as ‘unlawful’Gareth Hampshire · CBC News · Posted: Oct 22, 2025 5:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoFormer residents and descendants of Africville voted to remove the board of the Africville Genealogy Society at a special meeting. (Gareth Hampshire/CBC)Former residents and descendants of the historic Black community of Africville have voted to dismiss the board of directors of the Africville Genealogy Society, arguing it is in violation of its own bylaws.The society helps advocate for descendants and former residents of the razed neighbourhood in north-end Halifax, working to continue its legacy, but some community members are not pleased with how it has been operating. “They never came back to the people and they never represented us the way we wanted to be represented,” said Bernice Arsenault, who grew up in Africville.She is one of a number of people who have been pushing for the board to be more accountable, pointing out it has not followed the society’s bylaws that require it to hold elections every three years.“Not having these elections and being in violation of bylaws, that doesn’t look good,” said Arsenault, adding she and others have been asking for elections for more than 20 years.The vote to dismiss the board happened after a petition asking for an election was circulated at the annual Africville family reunion picnic in July.Organizers say the board did not respond, so they moved ahead with a special meeting. Documents filed with Nova Scotia’s Registry of Joint Stock Companies, where businesses and societies are registered, reveal details of the vote.They include the minutes of a special members meeting, confirming it happened on Sept. 27 with 43 of 44 people who were present voting to dismiss the board, according to the document. The chair of the meeting did not vote.Organizers said board members were invited to the meeting but did not attend.Bernice Arsenault said a change of leadership is needed at the society to help move the community forward. (Gareth Hampshire/CBC)The document refers to a motion that was made and passed to run an election in 2005 but “was denied” by the president, it said.No election has happened since, the document said.Irvine Carvery, who has served as president for years, has not commented on the vote.However, Shawn Mantley, who served alongside him on the society’s board, released a statement describing the vote as “unlawful” and those behind it as “not members of the Africville Genealogy Society.”Mantley’s statement said the society’s board held elections on Oct. 18 and that he was nominated and voted in as the new president after Carvery did not reoffer. Group says procedures followed correctlyMantley confirmed he is aware of minutes filed with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies “outlining the process to dissolve the old president and board.”He said he plans to present information about the Oct. 18 meeting to the registry and intends to continue in what he considers his role.”My hope is that this will all get worked out and we can move on to more positive things,” Mantley said. He would not reveal how many people attended the meeting.The group that organized the vote to oust the board maintains procedures were followed correctly.It said the election Mantley is referring to in which he became president is moot since the board had already been removed and a special resolution had already been made to appoint an interim president at the September special meeting pending full elections to replace the old board.Randon Wright, whose mother grew up in Africville before the community was demolished, will serve in that role, the special resolution document said.Randon Wright, 40, intends to run for president in the upcoming election with a goal of trying to unite the community. (Gareth Hampshire/CBC)“My plan is to bring the community together,” Wright said. “Our current situation and our current leaders aren’t doing what they need to do in order to bring that unity that we need.” Wright, who is a communications and outreach co-ordinator, videographer and photographer, plans to put his name forward for president in the election.The document said all previous board members are eligible to run in the election, which will be held at the Halifax North Memorial Public Library on Oct. 25 at 2 p.m.Mantley said he would not attend.MORE TOP STORIES ABOUT THE AUTHORGareth Hampshire began his career with CBC News in Edmonton. He is now based in Halifax.
Africville Genealogy Society board dismissed in vote, former residents say
