Description:
We Are Still Here. Still Here: Preserving Our Legacy confronts the false belief that Black history in New Brunswick is negligible. In fact, the history of Black settlement begins with the arrival of ships bearing the more than forty Black families in 1783. In this powerful volume, historical documents, first-person stories, original poetry, and compelling portraiture are woven together to present an untold story of resilience and belonging and the lasting contributions of a community whose actions and influence have often been omitted from the public record.
Published in conjunction with a national touring exhibition scheduled to open at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in July 2026, Still Here is poised to spark national conversations about Canada's Black History and bring the stories of Black New Brunswickers to a wider audience.
Brief description: Mary McCarthy is a sixth-generation woman of African descent. A writer, educator, and historian, she is dedicated to preserving the histories of Black New Brunswickers. McCarthy holds a PhD from the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, where her scholarly research focused on segregated and forgotten graveyards in New Brunswick. Dr. McCarthy has been featured in Chatelaine as one of "33 Black Canadians Making Change Now" for her work identifying systemic and anti-Black racism. She was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from St. Thomas University in Fredericton for her social justice work in May 2022. Dr. McCarthy is the director of REACH in New Brunswick an organization dedicated to preserving Black history and graves.