Bermuda’s heroes are to be honoured this Sunday, with the launch of Trail of Our People: Trail Blazers as part of the 2017 Emancipation Celebrations.

This book is the culmination of a five year series, The Trail of Our People, during which time the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs — with the support of the members of the Emancipation Committee — paid homage to the persons, families, and organisations that contributed to Bermuda, demonstrating perseverance and persistence in building their communities.

Members of the public are invited to the launch, which is set for 7pm at the Berkeley Institute Cafetorium.

Zane DeSilva, the Minister of Social Development and Sports, noted that emancipation in 1834 opened “a new era in Bermudian history”

The book’s collected biographies “capture the essence of the Bermudian story, post-emancipation, which is a story of progress, sacrifice and reward”.

According to Heather Whalen, the director of Community and Cultural Affairs, one of the top aims of the programme was to give public recognition to those of African descent who, “despite the cruelties of either enslavement, bondage or segregation, had risen above these man-made manifestations and, in fact, thrived”.

“The objective that guided us throughout this particular project, was to generate awareness about our local community heroes who had made monumental efforts that bettered the circumstances and conditions for others.”

The book’s honourees range from educators and medical professionals to entrepreneurs, skilled tradesmen, politicians and shipbuilders — all of whom demonstrated courage, tenacity, perseverance, and a social conscience.

The launch will feature performances by Arijahknow Live Wires, Toni Robinson, Alan Smith and others. The book itself will be available for purchase.