Every February, communities across Canada partake in events and festivities that honour the contributions of Black Canadians and communities. This remains an important month to highlight the history and ongoing legacies of Black Canadians. As Black History Month comes to an end, we invite you to continue to learn, educate, and celebrate Black contributions and Black communities in Canada. Below we have included some learning and resources we find helpful in our continued learning of Black Communities and equity work.
Black History Month began as Blacky History Week in 1926 in the United States. Into the 1970s, the week expanded to a month and the first month-long commemoration of Black History took place in February 1970, to then be recognized by the United States government in 1976. It wasn’t until 1995 that Canada recognized and began celebrating Black History Month, following the initiative of Honourable Jean Augustine, Canada’s first black Member of Parliament. For more information on the history of Black History Month, check out BC Black History Awareness Society.