Celebrating African Heritage Month

After retirement from a career designing naval sonar, I took up astronomy as a hobby once again. In 2020, we moved from the bright city lights of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia to a small farm in Kempt Shore where I could see the Milky Way at night in our pastures. Living in rural Nova Scotia has been a wonderful experience. My wife and I are involved in several community programs and activities, and with our youngest daughter living nearby on her small farm, we are enjoying a real country lifestyle. We have horses, a pony, sheep, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs, cats, and even a lovely pig named Stevie Wonder.

In 2025 I rejoined the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, after many years since I last was a member, only to find that Black representation is still almost non existent. Nicole Mortillaro, science journalist, author and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, in her 2022 article entitled "Where are all the Black astronomers and physicists? Racism, isolation keeping many away," writes

"Black astronomers are few and far between in North America, but especially in Canada. Inside the community, members share stories of discrimination, micro-aggressions and feelings of isolation, which can ultimately dissuade others from pursuing careers in the sciences."

In 2020 Forbes published an article entitled "This is why there are so few Black physicists and astronomers (and how to fix it)," by Ethan Siegel. The article puts the issue front and centre, and I quote:

"The importance of representation cannot be overstated when it comes to fostering a sense of belonging. Under-representation among Black professors, postdocs, graduate students and undergraduate students in Physics and Astronomy is a problem that demands a specific, focused, concerted effort if we wish to change the status quo."

Forbes results for the various disciplines in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) puts Black representation in astronomy right at the bottom at about 2%.

What is the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada doing to address this problem?

One of the RASC Values is "Enrichment of our community through diversity." There are currently over 5000 members ranging from amateurs to professionals.

Here is my count of Black RASC members from publications and public online sources such as seminars, workshops, invited speakers, event organizations, YouTube, Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. as of January 19, 2026. These numbers are only for individuals who have identified themselves publicly.

4 of 5000+ (~0.08%)

RASC Centres reviewed for Black programs and outreach from public online sources such as websites, publications, and other online media (January 19, 2026):

Halifax, St. John's, New Brunswick,

Thunder Bay, Montreal, Prince George

Vancouver, London, Calgary, Saskatoon

Yukon, Sarnia, Victoria, Edmonton, Okanagan

Belleville, Kitchener-Waterloo, Sudbury

Kingston, Windsor,  Regina, Ottawa, Niagara

Sunshine Coast In the December 10, 2020 issue of The Local Weekly Community Newsletter on their website is a touching story of the Centre helping Harry Andlinda of Kabale, Uganda realize his dreams of becoming an astrophysicist one day. They bought him a go-to telescope when he was in his early teens. By now Harry must be about 20 years old. Sure would be nice to know how his dreams have worked out. This is such a wonderful story about the Sunshine Coast Centre supporting a young Black boy in Africa.

Winnipeg A huge shout out to the Winnipeg Centre for their Telescopes For Kids program. The recipients are an amazing collection of diverse children who have their pictures on the Winnipeg website. Every Centre should have a program like this! What I would have done for a telescope when I was 10 or 11 years old! My family couldn't afford one - I used my Dad's binoculars though. I would join Winnipeg Centre in a heartbeat if I lived there.

Toronto The Toronto Centre has a comprehensive Anti-Harassment Policy that all Centres should include on their websites or as a section in their constitutions! And, that should also include an anti-harassment statement for the RASC Facebook Group, where I can say with experience on the receiving end, is a real problem for RASC!

Hamilton The RASC Hamilton Centre has an Anti-Harassment Policy.

Mississauga You have to be a member to see their by-laws and policy manual. That's not useful.

"An Act for the preservation and enhancement of multiculturalism in Canada."

[1988, c.31, assented to 21st July, 1988]

Section 3(1c) states the following:

"It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Government of Canada to promote the full equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in the continuing evolution and shaping of all aspects of Canadian society and assist them in the elimination of any barrier to that participation;"

This raises the question, why are several RASC Centres permitted to not include a policy statement on inclusion and diversity on their websites and in their constitutions?

Photo: My father Francis Archibald Wilkinson "Corkey" Jones. These are all surnames of distant relatives. The military called him Frank but the Township of Petawawa, Ontario where he retired knew him as Corkey. He was involved in everything!

It is clear to me that something quite different than the status quo is needed in Nova Scotia to interest Black youth and children in the field of astronomy. The current thinking and attitudes within the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada are not in line with my vision for supporting kids of African heritage in this province. After much thought, I have decided to fund a club dedicated to this young demographic, but excluding no one.

I have already acquired several telescopes, including modern smart telescopes, with further purchases in the works. Although I have full access to a community centre within my rural region, I would prefer to set up shop in a community with a significant Black population. Also, as of January 20, 2026, I have found a Black astronomy professor who has agreed to be the principal role model for the club.

Photo: The Hercules Cluster M13 photographed with my 6-inch Celestron Origin Astrograph.