Visit Us!

Opening Times

We are currently closed to the public for the Christmas season and will be reopening on January 6th.

Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
*Tours begin at 9:00 am*

Admission Fees (including 14% HST):

5 & Under: Free

Students/Seniors (55+): $9.00

Adults: $10.00

Meet the Board

Percy Paris (Chair)

Percy Paris is the former NDP MLA of the district of Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank. Originally from Windsor, Percy is a former city employee and held the positions of Black Student Advisor and Director of the Diversity Initiative at Dalhousie University. He is an active community volunteer and a recipient of the human rights award from the Human Rights Commission of Nova Scotia. Other organizations he has been involved in include the Riverlake Residents’ Association, the Black Business Initiative, the Halifax Black Community Workshop, the Dartmouth East Black Learning Centre, and the Metro Committee for Persons with Disabilities.
Loretta Simmons (Scholarship Chair)

Loretta Simmons is a descendant of Africville, both parents born and raised in Africville.  Director of Women in the Word at Word in Action Ministries.  A women group to help and encourage women to be the best they are no matter what their situation or surrounding are saying.  Involve with her work union (NSGEU) and was part of the Women group within the union.  Senior Customer Service Representative at Service Nova Scotia & Internal Services, Register of Motor Vehicles.
Jerry Blackwood (Finance Chair)

Jerry Blackwood is the Director of Corporate and Customer Services with Halifax Regional Municipality. Jerry has been an employee with the municipality for 15 years, and prior to his current role was the Municipal Treasurer. Jerry is a native Newfoundlander and a graduate of Memorial University.  He holds a Professional Accounting Designation (CPA, CGA) and has 25 years of senior management experience in both the private and public sectors. Jerry has experience serving on other community boards and committees.  Currently he serves on the HRM Pension Committee, Chairs the Pension Plan’s Audit & Finance Committee, as well as serving as a member of the CPA Nova Scotia Complaints Commit
Kim Gannon


Kim was born and raised in Halifax, and she is immensely proud to be a descendant of Africville. Kim holds a Bachelor of Business Administration – Finance/Accounting from Mount Saint Vincent University and a Master of Business Administration from Dalhousie University.
Kim has been a Federal Public Servant for 25 years and presently occupies the position of Financial Advisor at Justice Canada. She has experience in strategic planning, project management, audit, performance management, risk management, resource management, change management initiatives, and organizational culture. Kim is proud of her work as a public servant and how she contributes to serving Canadians.
Kim is an effective leader with strong analytical and critical thinking skills. She is a reliable team member that promotes a respectful, equitable, and healthy collaborative environment.


Nadine Loppie (Vice Chair)

Nadine Loppie is currently employed with IWK Health as the Credentialing Officer and Administrator for the Medical Staff Association. She has worked in health care for the past 22 years and holds a diploma in Health Services Administration from Dalhousie University.
Nadine is the mother of three boys and a descendant of Africville. She volunteers with a number of community outreach programs and serves as a member of Black Lives Matters and BIPOC committees. Nadine is also one of the founding members of the Northern Kings Atlantic Society; a basketball program designated for youth.
Nadine has a deep passion for the ongoing work that is being done through the AHT and is committed in keeping the mandate moving forward.
Tamar Pryor-Brown (Halifax Regional Municipality Representative)

Tamar came into this world on Bilby street in the north end of Halifax.
Tamar began her career with HRM in 2004 working as a Compliance Officer that continued for 16 years. Tamar also worked as a HRM Corporate Safety Consultant and a Project Manager for HRM.
Tamar has a Bachelor of Arts and a Certificate of Criminology from Saint Mary’s University, and is a graduate of the first cohort of the HRM Aspiring Leaders program.
Tamar had been on leave from HRM from 2019-2021, working as a Community Navigator for the Land Titles Initiative, under the provincial government, first with African Nova Scotian Affairs, & then with the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives.
Tamar continues to move forward the work in the African Nova Scotian communities in HRM, as well as the overall management of ANSAIO projects and initiatives, as the Senior Advisor of African Nova Scotian Affairs.
Tamar resides with her husband Cameron and together they have a blended family of 5 children (4 adults and 1 child still at home)…which means there is never a dull moment 😊
Beatrice J. Wilkins (née West) (Liaison for Africville Genealogy Society)

I am a former resident of the former community of Africville. I am a co-founding director of the Africville Genealogy Society (AGS) and I am presently serving on the Africville Heritage Trust-Museum (AHT) board of directors representing the AGS Board. My 2 sisters and I were known as the “West Sisters” and grew up singing in the Seaview Baptist Church in Africville until its demise in the 60’s. My sisters were Shirley Allen and Mary Gangoo, who are both now deceased. I carry on the singing tradition, very reluctantly at times. 

On the AHT I’ve served on the Scholarship Jury for 2020, and presently I am a member of the Finance Committee bringing 42 years of compensation and training experience from the Federal Government. Blessings!
Carrie Hill (HR Chair)
Carrie Hill Board Member 2022
As a direct decedent of a former Africville resident.  I have always had a deep desire  to learn more about my heritage.  This has lead me to membership and holding several offices with the Africville Genealogy Society.  During my membership, I had the opportunity to work with Mount Saint Vincent University and BBC Canada in the creation of the first Africville Exhibit and book Africville: A Spirit that Lives On.  My professional background is in Human Resource Management.  I divide my time between Canada and US.  I enjoy spending time with my family and son Logan.
Treno Morton (Planning Chair)

Treno Morton is a graduate of Queen’s University, with a degree in Geography and Planning, with a certificate in planning and a minor in Global Development Studies. His goal is to use his lived experience, as well as education to be a community-builder in the face of gentrification  impacting his community.

Treno is currently working as a Community Engagement Specialist for the non-profit organization Inspiring Communities. He also has experience working with and advising local community groups, non-profit organizations, and the municipal government.

In his free time, Treno is the Co-Owner and Director of Operations for Fumes Rolling Papers Inc. A Black-owned and operated rolling paper company, founded by his brother and himself to help re-establish Black ownership in the cannabis industry.
Amanda Carvery
Amanda Carvery AHT Board Member 2022
Amanda Carvery is a proud Africville descendent, who carries forth her history through many actions. She is most well known for her book ‘A Love Letter To Africville’ which showcases her photography through portraits of former residents accompanied by stories of life in Africville, as well as reunion photos and restorations of photos taken in Africville. Amanda is also a Birth Doula, keeping the tradition of Africville birth workers close to her heart. She is currently developing a Symphony based on her book, and is always involved with creative projects to keep her community alive. When she’s not working as a photographer or doula, she is usually having adventures with her group “The Melanated Aces”, chasing waterfalls around Nova Scotia, home baking, or spending time with her two sons.