This event is hosted in partnership between the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and Ottawa Public Library.
Join us in celebrating Black history through film and music this February with a film screening of a portion of the documentary, "Bridging the Gap: Legacy in Harmony" (CBC/Lenz Films Inc.). This film focuses on Ottawa's Black artistic heritage, weaving together the stories of pioneers, contemporary music voices, and emerging talents, reflecting the city's rich cultural tapestry. Following the film, there will be a live music performance by NAMBI, an Ottawa singer-songwriter featured in the film, as well as a panel discussion with filmmaker Fitch Jean and hosted by CBC Ottawa’s Rachelle Elsiufi.
A portion of this event will be recorded for future broadcast. "Bridging the Gap: Legacy in Harmony" can be streamed in full on CBC Gem.
About Fitch Jean: Fitch Jean is a Haitian-Canadian filmmaker known for his emotionally driven storytelling that explores themes of identity, resilience, and cultural heritage. His work focuses on underrepresented communities, bringing authenticity and depth to the screen.
Fitch creates films, documentaries, and branded content that elevate untold stories. His projects blend creativity, cultural depth, and technical excellence, with a goal of inspiring audiences worldwide. His films are streaming on CBC Gem and Bell Fibe and have screened at Canadian and International film festivals.
About NAMBI: Ottawa-born, singer-songwriter NAMBI is a powerhouse of acoustic soul. She weaves together popular genres of RnB, Neo-Soul, Folk, and Reggae to form her version of what she calls “RnB street folk.”
NAMBI has previously shared stages with Jack Johnson, Tash Sultana, and Vieux Farka Touré, toured in East Africa and the UK, featured on CBC and the BBC, and sold-out performances at Canada’s National Arts Centre (2018, 2020, 2024) and Ottawa Bluesfest (2018, 2020, 2022).
NAMBI’s most recent EP release in January 2025 was an ode to the late ’90s/early 2000’s female RnB era, called “latebloomer vol. 1” (Produced by Sammae). She is currently putting the final touches on the follow-up EP: “latebloomer vol. 2” (Produced by Ben Kissner); set to be released in the early Spring of 2025, as well as recording her third studio album “ALLOFWE: The End of a Trilogy” with her band The Rhythm.