Black History Month initially started as “Negro History Week” by Carter G. Woodson in 1926.
It was celebrated in the second week of February between the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, and it evolved into Black History Month in 1976. Its purpose was to encourage African American history to become a more significant part of American history.
Celebrations of Black history began in Canada also shortly thereafter. During the early 1970s, the week became known as Black History Week. It was expanded into Black History Month in 1976. In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine. The motion was carried unanimously by the House of Commons.
The Senate officially declared February as Black History Month. Nova Scotia Senator Donald Oliver, Q.C., was the first Black Canadian appointed to the Senate. His motion was the final parliamentary procedure needed for Canada’s permanent recognition of Black History Month.
Source: Government of Canada. Black History in Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month/about.html
Coming Up...
Wednesday, February 17, 2021 (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.) - Developing Resiliency Through Adversity with Jodie Glean
- Identify and discuss the current challenges in professional environments experienced by Black professionals and the barriers that exists to addressing them
- Increase understanding of the concept of resiliency and its relevance for Black professionals in the work and learning environment
- Share tools and techniques that support the activation of resilience for Black community within the work and learning environment
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.) - Challenging Anti-Black Racism with Sacha Ally and Adam Benn
- Explore the impact of anti-Black racial microaggressions in the Virtual Environment
- Discuss using “microinterventions” as a strategy for addressing anti-Black racism
Friday, February 26, 2021 (9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.) - Understanding the Determinants of Health for a Healthy and Inclusive Community with Dr. Roberta Timothy
- To examine your positionality within equity work
- To understand the determinants of health and its importance to anti-oppression (EDI) practice
- To examine how equity can be centered in building healthy and inclusive communities (Access and Equity: Students & Employees, Curriculum and Programs, Campus Culture, and College-Wide Communication and Engagement)
To register, email zareena.khan@humber.ca.
February’s Playlist
Borrowing a page from President Barack Obama, the Centre is pleased to offer a playlist of some of our favourite artists:
