Anne Victoria Jean-Francois

Victoria Jean-Francois is a Canadian-born Haitian writer and singer. Born in Montreal and  raised in Calgary, Victoria decided to return to Montreal to pursue her studies at Concordia  University in Communications Studies. Montreal’s rich people diversity and history inspired  Victoria to explore further the stories of the people who have touched this land. This passion  for history and people grew into a passion for storytelling. Victoria feels that sharing people’s  stories helps people come together and better understand one another’s journeys. For This  reason, she thought it was essential for her to participate in Montreal’s Black History Book  Project, to help tell the stories of her community. She believes there is excellent richness  behind the black community of Montreal, and for that reason, she feels she must elevate the  voice of the people that have paved the path for her.  

Victoria’s Chapter covers the years 1920-1928. Her Chapter focuses on the Prohibition era,  organized crime from the United States into Montreal, and how it has influenced Montreal’s  black community. In addition, this Chapter also dives further into how the black community  

strengthened their community through music and how they created and sought opportunities  to survive and strengthened themselves through community organization.