Pembroke’s community heroes will be honoured on Sunday as part of a special programme commemorating Emancipation Day 2013.The event will be held at the Berkeley Institute at 7pm.Senior Community and Cultural Affairs officer Heather Whalen noted the focus was shifted from last year.“Instead of featuring aspects of slave experiences, we have refaced the event to bring attention to those people of African descent who have contributed significantly to the development of their respective communities,” she said.“Last year, we focused on Sandys and St George’s parish residents, clubs and organisations.“This year, we will celebrate the contributions of ‘community heroes’ from Pembroke parish whose selfless efforts helped to build their communities.”Families of the honorees will be acknowledged and are encouraged to attend. The programme will feature music, entertainment and dance as well as the biographies of the community heroes.The list of honorees include the late Dame Marjorie Bean, Dr Kenneth Robinson, Victor and Edna Mae Scott, Rev Dr Merle Brock Swan Williams, former Mayor Cecial Dismont and Alma (Champ) Hunt.Groups to be honoured include the founders of the Berkeley Institute, founding members of the Progressive Labour Party and the Bermuda Workers Association.A spokesperson said: “The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs along with the members of the Emancipation Committee are of the view that the Emancipation Act of 1834 offered so much more to the black community than freedom.“It gave each individual the opportunity to make a difference and affect their personal sphere of influence.”The theme is ‘The Trail of Our People: The Social Dynamics of Self-Reliance’.The aim is to raise awareness about the people who helped shape Bermuda.