Mayor Dilkens and Special Guests Unveil New Emancipation Celebration Monument and Gathering Space at Jackson Park

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Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens was joined by members of the Emancipation Celebration Monument Committee, members of City Council and City administration, and special guests from the community for the grand opening of the new Emancipation Celebration Monument and gathering space at Jackson Park, 125 Tecumseh Road East. 

The special ribbon-cutting ceremony was part of a full weekend of programming in honour of Emancipation Day 2026. On March 24, 2021, the House of Commons voted unanimously to officially designate August 1 as Emancipation Day. It marks the actual day in 1834 that the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect across the British Empire. Emancipation Day celebrates the strength and perseverance of Black communities in Canada.

Emancipation Day celebrations first took place from the turn of the 20th century through to the 1970s. Locally, the celebrations began with a large parade that started in Dieppe Gardens and made its way to Jackson Park, ending at the original bandstand. Upwards of 250,000 spectators came and lined the streets of Windsor, with many Americans in the audience, making this the largest event of its kind in North America. Not only were the local Emancipation Day celebrations well attended by residents and neighbours, but they also attracted the attention and participation of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Olympian Jessie Owens as keynote speakers, along with celebrities such as “Smoking Joe” Louis and Diana Ross and the Supremes. The 1967 Race Riots in Detroit dramatically affected the attendance of the festival, and it was eventually moved to Mic Mac Park. The celebrations have since been resurrected in the community through the efforts of various community organizations and partners, including the Black Council of Windsor-Essex.

The finished monument includes a large decorative archway, 28 feet across and nearly 15 feet high, built to reflect the shape and style of the proscenium of the original Jackson Park bandstand, which burned down in 1957. Other elements include:

  • Three murals created by local artist Dennis K. Smith, cofounder and president of The Artists of Colour, depicting the history of Emancipation Day celebrations in Windsor through large-scale outdoor framed paintings; 
  • Interpretive panels researched and written by Irene Moore Davis, sharing historical information and images connected to the local history of Emancipation Day and Windsor-Essex local Black history, with QR codes linking to a website;
  • Decorative benches, landscaping, lighting, and a shade structure;
  • An overall footprint that also reflects the shape of the original bandstand; 
  • Commemorative bricks recognizing project donors and supports; and
  • Space for future installation of a life-size bronze sculpture of Walter Perry.

The Emancipation Celebration Monument and gathering space at Jackson Park is supported by an investment of over $400,000 from City Council through the City’s 2026 budget. The budget includes a 0% municipal tax levy increase, a $2.26 billion 10-year capital plan, and over $317 million in investments for 2026 alone. This includes $29.2 million for community services like parks, recreation, facilities, and culture.

In 2012, City Council approved the development of a monument to commemorate the rich and storied history of Emancipation Day celebrations in Windsor, and to honour the significance of this rich history. Unfortunately, community fundraising goals were not realized, and the project stalled. In 2023, Joi Elaine Hurst stepped up and has since been working behind the scenes on this important project as part of the Emancipation Celebration Monument Committee that also includes Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, Ward 3 Councillor Renaldo Agostino, Gale Carter, Christopher Menard, Laura Williams, Dennis K. Smith, Mark Williams, Ryan Falloon, James Chacko, Wadah Al-Yassiri, Laura Ash, Darron Ahlstedt, Hoda Kameli, Pam Mady, and Michael Okanlawon; with early participation from Donna Jean Mayne.

Emancipation Celebration Monument Website:

The artworks and interpretive panels on display at the Emancipation Celebration Monument site include QR codes that link residents and visitors to a website where you will find information on the images depicted in the murals as well as the text of the interpretive panels that share the history of Emancipation Day celebrations in Windsor. To learn more and to explore the works, visit 
Emancipation Celebration Monument (CityWindsor.ca)

Fundraising Campaign for Life-Size Bronze Sculpture of Walter Perry:

The monument site includes space reserved for a future life-sized bronze sculpture of “Mr. Emancipation” Walter Perry, imagined and designed by local sculptor Mark Williams. Walter Perry was the man who organized Windsor’s historic Emancipation Day celebrations, designing the progressive festival that flourished during one of the most significant times and places in North American history. For thirty years, Perry helped transform his hometown into the place it is now. His story, and the history of the festival he created, is the subject of the 2020 Canadian documentary "Mr. Emancipation: The Walter Perry Story."

The sculpture is intended for creation and installation in 2027, subject to meeting a community fundraising goal. The City and the committee have partnered with the WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF), who serve as stewards of the Emancipation Celebration Fund. WECF is a perpetual community trust for philanthropic purposes. It exists to manage donors’ legacy funds and make grants to support local community programs.

Donation Link: To donate online, and for details on donating by cheque or by phone, please visit the Emancipation Celebration Fund project donation page.

Emancipation Celebration Monument Commemorative Brick Program:

Though the unveiling has occurred, there is still time for an opportunity for those interested in the project to make their mark on helping bring it to life with a commemorative brick installed around the site. Donations of $100.00 will allow for the following:

  • One grey 6-inch by 12-inch brick with a name or message inscribed
  • Three rows for the inscription
  • 16 characters per row, including spaces/punctuation

Bricks will be placed ongoingly, with any funds raised through this program being directed towards creation and installation of the bronze sculpture of Walter Perry and to help the committee reach its community fundraising goals. Donors are responsible for the regular maintenance of the brick. Replacement of any brick due to normal wear and tear shall be at the expense of the purchaser. Donors will receive a certificate for their brick, along with an income tax receipt from the City of Windsor.

To donate and receive an Emancipation Celebration Monument Commemorative Brick, please contact: Parks, Recreation & Facilities, at 519-253-2300 ext. 2711 by phone, or parkrec@citywindsor.ca by email. 

Quotes:

"The Emancipation Celebration Monument is truly special to behold. Windsor is one of Canada’s most diverse and inclusive communities, and we are certainly honouring that through this monument and gathering space. We have created a fitting and inspiring tribute to a shared history that shaped our city, province, and country. I thank Council for approving funding to make this happen, Joi Hurst, Gale Carter, all members of the committee, along with the designers, artists, and community members who worked in lockstep with the City to bring this beautiful vision to life in Jackson Park." 
- Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens

"Serving as the Emancipation Monument Committee Chairperson has been an immense honour. This experience has offered invaluable lessons and profound satisfaction. I understand the significance this monument holds for many. It serves as a powerful reminder of a pivotal moment in history. The monument represents hard-won freedoms and enduring resilience. Its presence encourages reflection on the struggles and triumphs of those who came before us. I believe it is crucial to preserve and honour this important symbol. The dedication to its upkeep will reflect our commitment to remembering our past. This monument stands as a testament to progress and a beacon of hope. The collective effort has made this an unforgettable chapter. It is a vital part of our shared heritage."
- Joi Elaine Hurst, Chair, Emancipation Celebration Monument Committee

"Emancipation was eating ribs with sticky fingers while dressed in our Sunday best. It was more than a parade; it was a pageantry of progress. I’m honoured to be part of this project and to have the opportunity to tell these stories through my art." 
- Dennis K. Smith, Emancipation Celebration Monument Murals Artist, and Cofounder and President of the Artists of Colour

"Windsor has long been a place of refuge for freedom seekers and those who fight for independence, safety, and stability. Emancipation Day celebrations helped to shape our community, and it’s amazing to see this beautiful and important monument come to life to celebrate and share that history. It has been an honour to partner with Mayor Dilkens, the committee members, and artists on this project. Of course, I’m thrilled to see this come to life in Ward 3, where a continued commitment to public art helps Strengthen the Core and attract new investments, businesses, residents, and visitors every day. This will be a lasting tribute to so many who helped build our community and will connect generations of Windsorites to the stories that defined our past, shaped our present, and are helping to build our future."
- Councillor Renaldo Agostino, Ward 3

"The creation of a bronze sculpture memorializing Walter Perry — also known as 'Mr. Emancipation' — ensures he’ll no longer be a footnote in history but rather a towering figure for us to look up to and admire. I want this work to stand as a permanent reminder that Windsor is a focal point for Black pride, and for this monument and gathering space to serve as a source of — and inspiration for — that pride within our community. I hope that when people look at Mr. Perry and consider his powerful contributions to the story of our city, province, and country… that they will be inspired to achieve great things in support of the communities they call home."
- Mark Williams, Sculptor

"WindsorEssex Community Foundation is truly delighted to partner with the dedicated members of the Emancipation Celebration Monument Committee and the City of Windsor on this impactful initiative. This new monument and gathering space represents far more than a physical landmark — it is a powerful tribute to the history, resilience, and enduring legacy of Black history within our community. We are dedicated to ensuring that these important stories are honoured, shared, and remembered for generations to come. As the steward of the Emancipation Celebration Fund, WECF is proud to play a role in bringing this meaningful vision to life and strengthening our collective understanding of the history that has shaped our community."
- Lisa Kolody, Executive Director, WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF)

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