Born in Nigeria and having lived around the world, including Singapore and South Africa, Kemm Angulu has made the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood of East Vancouver her home since 2000. She is the owner of Dumonde Beauty on Kingsway, which was established in 2006 and has a mission to make beauty accessible to all and be a force for good.
Kemm’s daughters went to school at Carleton Elementary, where Kemm participated in activities, volunteered, and rallied with other parents and community members to keep the school open when it was at risk of closure. She has also been a familiar face at the annual Collingwood Days festival, where she’s enjoyed the opportunity to showcase her beauty products and connect with the community over the years.
In response to Black History Month, which is recognized each February, Kemm shares with Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) about what it means to her and how we can go beyond celebrating the Black community once a year.
Reflecting on a past legacy
Like Kemm, Viola Desmond, a Canadian civil rights pioneer, was also a successful Black businesswoman. Viola, who fought against anti-Black racism and segregation in 1946, paved the way for many Black women, Kemm explained, who noted that she first learned of Viola when she came to Canada.
“Dumonde started from just creating skin care products to help my own acne and discolouration,” said Kemm.” I couldn’t find products that worked for me so making my own ended up being the solution.”
“I didn’t think this hobby would grow into a thriving business that is well known in the community.”
In 2018, Desmond became the first Canadian woman to be featured on the Canadian $10 bill.
Kemm is inspired by Viola’s legacy and said, “I’m on this land, too. I can lay an example down for people coming after me. You know, my kids, my great-grandchildren.” Kemm wants future generations to know that “those are the people that fought for us to stand on this land” and their positive impact.
“I personally want to do something that the future coming after me, they would say, oh, you know, ‘Kemm Angulu wants to do this [for] the community,’ added Kemm, who encourages every Black person to do that as well.
Appreciating what she has
Kemm encourages people to learn about her culture, where discipline and respect for elders are fundamental principles. She said that in Africa, the responsibility of raising children is shared by the wider community and family is very important. “I’m the firstborn. When you’re a firstborn, you have to do a lot of things. You have to work hard. You have to help your family, you know, it’s a culture thing. It’s a culture thing and I embrace that culture, I love that culture. Because you know what, family is very important.”
Kemm said, “I tell my kids: make sure that you stay together. We build together. You come together as a family. So the culture aspect is totally something that keep us going in life, something that makes us appreciate what we have.” She added, “I still always tell them you are African. Where you’re from matters. I use what is good in my country and what is good here to raise my kids. To be good leaders and good people in the community.”
“And Canada said, come with your culture. Absolutely, I’m in this land with my culture.”
Sharing knowledge, showcasing culture
Kemm works with youth in the Black community so that they don’t forget where they or their ancestors came from. “Sometimes when we don’t do this often, our kids forget,” she said. “We’re too busy to show them how things are done. They will forget. And that’s how history dies if you don’t pass it on to the new generation.”
One of the ways that Kemm shares her knowledge and showcases Black culture is by providing braiding workshops, including at Douglas College this past February, where participants learned different braiding techniques like cornrow. Kemm has also shared her love of dance with her daughters, Marie and Khalimat. Marie now leads the Roots Crew, which performs hip hop dance and Afrobeats around the city. Kemm said, “I keep telling her, you have to find something to show people how the culture is and how things are done. You know, I love to dance. So I teach her a little bit and she take over and she do it.”
Kemm said that she believes it’s important for everyone to celebrate and reflect on Black History Month. She wishes that it was done not only in February. She said, “I would love if they don’t just make it a once in a year thing” and hopes the community could do more to showcase Black culture, including Afrobeats or something African every month.
“Black people – we are here, and we are here to make the place better,” she said.
Ultimately, Kemm would like to see something in Vancouver to bring people together. She suggested throwing a fun thing for Black people and, “the more people see something, the more they get familiar with it.” She is willing to do more and wish it would be happening.
This story was originally written to celebrate Black History Month in Renfrew-Collingwood. We encourage everyone to learn more about Black Canadian communities throughout the year and how they continue to help shape our communities, and to celebrate together. Learn more about Dumonde Beauty at dumondebeauty.com.