Black Presence in Berlin explores Waterloo Region’s early Black History in Downtown Kitchener to meet some of our community’s earliest Black settlers. Entrepreneurs, teachers, domestic workers, lawyers, and musicians made contributions to the history of Waterloo Region, yet so little is known or told about who these people were, the lives they lived or even where they lived. But we’re about to change that!
Meet Your Speakers
Peggy Plet:
Peggy Plet, a native of Suriname, and former Dutch citizen, immigrated to Kitchener in 2007. She is a researcher and writer on Black History and has over 25 years of research experience in Dutch-Surinamese history. She has also published a biography on Surinamese-American inventor Jan E. Matzeliger. One of her favourite pastimes is searching for dead people in databases and old newspapers. She also loves being outdoors biking and hiking on local trails, reading and spending time with her family.
Juanita Metzger:
Juanita Metzger is the owner – operator of Stroll Walking Tours, hosting hyperlocal walking tours in Waterloo Region. She has worked in neighbourhood community development for 20 years with a focus on placemaking, urban space and getting people engaged and connected to the place where they live. As a walker, she coordinated and led walks with Jane’s Walk Waterloo Region for six years and walks everywhere when travelling. She is also a freelance writer, specializing in travel and profiles of interesting people.
This event is brought to you in partnership with Chartwell Retirement Residences.
Time: Thursday, February 17 @ 4pm