The exterior of Saint John City Hall is pictured in this file photo. (Staff photo)
The city is preparing to honour the resident who became the first Canadian-born Black lawyer.
Abraham Beverley Walker opened a law practice in Saint John, and eventually was named to the Supreme Court of New Brunswick.
“Mr. Walker was an important trail-blazing resident of the city, and in honour of February being Black History Month, we’re recommending the city work with the community to recognize him through the naming of a space in his honour,” says Kate Wilcott of the Saint John Community Arts board.
February also marks 170 years since Walker’s birth.
At Monday’s meeting, council moved to put together a committee which will find a property to be named after Walker.
“We feel that it’s an exciting and well-deserved project,” Wilcott told council.
The committee is expected to be ready for 2022, and will also look into the renaming of streets like Ludlow and Winslow Street, which were previously targeted by citizens for being named after former slave owners.
Wilcott believes the committee would enable them to ensure the city carefully considers those it chooses to honour.
“Through (the committee) we can address the renaming of streets using a sympathetic approach, and also look at historical and current contexts,” she said.
The committee would be ready by 2022.
