Prior to Municipal amalgamation in 1995 which saw the formation of CBRM, Whitney Pier was a neighbourhood on the Northern boundary of the former City of Sydney.
Whitney Pier was separated from Sydney's central business district by lands occupied by Sydney Steel Corporation, at one time Canada's largest integrated steel mill (no longer in business), as well as a large railway yard and tracks running from the harbour to coal mines in nearby New Waterford and Glace Bay.
After several decades of environmental reviews and scientific studies, the federal and provincial governments undertook a $400 million cleanup of the site which saw the industrial contaminants in the estuary contained through a stabilization and solidification process.
[5] Whitney Pier's black community is distinguishable from other African Nova Scotian settlements, due to the largely Caribbean influence in the neighbourhood.
The man who is not able to develop and use his mind is bound to be the slave of the other man who uses his mind ...[8]A letter by Black leaders to the Prime Minister of Canada wrote about the community's success in the 1950's: Many work in the mines, but there are three or four grocery stores, two taxi stands, a restaurant, a retread garage, a shoe-maker, chemist, doctor, school teachers, a few nurses and a dry-cleaning establishment.
The festival also holds a number of art workshops and events for the public and recognizes distinguished artists, musicians, and contributors to the community.
In recent years, this has consisted of events such as a memorial "fun run", street dances, a Caribbean festival, a baseball game, picnics, and various activities for children.