February is Black History Month

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February marks Black History Month in Canada. Each February, Canadians are encouraged to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada a culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous nation.

Join the City of Quinte West as we celebrate Black History Month by showcasing local, provincial and national resources, activities, and opportunities.

What is Black History Month?

In 1978, the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) was established. Its founders, including Dr. Daniel G. Hill and Wilson O. Brooks, presented a petition to the City of Toronto to have February formally proclaimed as Black History Month. In 1979, the first-ever Canadian proclamation was issued by Toronto.

The first Black History Month in Nova Scotia was observed in 1988 and later renamed African Heritage Month in 1996.

In 1993, the OBHS successfully filed a petition in Ontario to proclaim February as Black History Month. Following that success, Rosemary Sadlier, president of the OBHS, introduced the idea of having Black History Month recognized across Canada to the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament.

In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by Dr. Augustine. The House of Commons carried the motion unanimously.

In February 2008, Senator Donald Oliver, the first Black man appointed to the Senate, introduced the Motion to Recognize Contributions of Black Canadians and February as Black History Month. It received unanimous approval and was adopted on March 4, 2008. The adoption of this motion completed Canada’s parliamentary position on Black History Month.

To learn more about Black History Month in Canada, watch Black History Month: Exploring the past and future of February’s annual celebration | CBC Kids News video.

Black History Month Digital Toolkit

The Government of Canada has created a detailed digital toolkit to celebrate this year's theme for Black History Month, "Ours to Tell".

Find promotional materials, colouring sheets, videos, and links to important information to help you celebrate Black History Month in the toolkit here.

Ontario's Black Heritage

Learn about Black history in Ontario through a collection of museum sites, web resources, publications, and more with Ontario Heritage Trust.

The Ontario Black History Society

The Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) is a registered Canadian charity, dedicated to the study, preservation and promotion of Black History and heritage. The Society aims to encourage public interest in Black History through the:

Recognition and documentation of the contributions of peoples of African descent and their collective histories, past and present, through education, research and collaboration.

Development and support of educational initiatives and exhibits.

Inclusion of Black History material in school curriculum.

CUPE honours Black History Month

CUPE celebrates Black History Month highlighting the best of Black History and culture, while honouring the ancestors and leaders of Black communities, their accomplishments, and their continued fight for liberation. Take a Black History Quiz, browse the National Film Board of Canada's list of films on Black history in Canada, and read the CUPE Anti-Racism Strategy.

Resource: Unlearn Anti-Black Racism (Webinar)

The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion is hosting a "Unlearning anti-Black racism" webinar on February 9, 2023. Join host Sarita Addy, in the conversation around anti-Black racism, and how it has mostly focused on strategies for eliminating racism within organizations and communal settings. Learn the right tools and strategies through exploring how we can unlearn internalized anti-Black racism.

Celebrating Black History Month in Quinte West

Black History Month reading list

Prepare your February reading list with the help of the Quinte West, Brighton, and Belleville public libraries.

Libraries throughout Quinte Region are showcasing Black History Month displays, reading lists and online content featuring Black authors, content creators and subject matter experts.

Visit your local library to learn more.

Camp Molly Quinte returns July 13-16

Camp Molly Quinte will return for its second year from July 13 to 16.

The four-day camp will give 35 young women the opportunity to get an inside look at a career in fire and emergency services. Participants will rotate through a series of activities based on Firefighter Level 1 training, such as Fire Investigation & Fire Dynamics, Medical Scenarios, Auto Extrication, Firefighter Survival & Forcible Entry, and more.

With Feb. 1 marking the start of Black History Month, it is important to recognize Molly Williams as the namesake for the camp. Molly was a slave in 1818 when she became the first female firefighter with Oceanus Engine Co. 11, in Lower Manhattan. After all the male firefighters became sick with influenza, Molly answered the call to duty and was recognized for her strength and resiliency. Her incredible story has been memorialized in the children’s novel, “Molly, By Golly!” and over 200 years later, Molly Williams continues to be known as a trailblazer in the field of firefighting. Camp Molly aims to carry on her legacy by inspiring other female firefighters.

Camp Molly Quinte is a joint initiative between Belleville Fire and Emergency Services and Quinte West Fire and Emergency Services. Applications for this year’s camp will open on March 1. Applicants must be aged 15 to 18, identify as female, and attend a local school. Those interested and eligible are encouraged to stay tuned to campmolly.ca for more information. Be sure to follow Camp Molly Quinte on Twitter and Instagram and use the hashtag #CampMollyQuinte to join the conversation.

'Blacker' Showcase featuring Black History at These 4 Walls

These 4 Walls is hosting the 'Blacker' exhibit showcase from February 10 - 28. Eight artists will display pieces celebrating Black History Month. Browse the exhibit and the gallery, and soak up the atmosphere. Featured subjects will include Michael Jackson, Malcolm X, Diana Ross, Martin Luther King, Jean-Paul Basquiat, and more. Enjoy free admission all month long.

Joy & Wellness Black History Month Mini Fair and Showcase

Join Shamsa Hassan (Co-founder of Afiya Beauty) and local poet, author, and writing coach Abena Beloved Green, for the 'Joy & Wellness' Black History Month Mini Fair & Showcase at These 4 Walls.
Celebrate Black History Month with a family-friendly event featuring the offerings of small businesses, artists, and organizations, as well as a showcase of live poetry, music, and guest speakers.

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Read The Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Unit statement on the importance of recognizing Black History Month and working together to address racism while building the foundation of a supportive and inclusive community: www.hpepublichealth.ca/statement-from-local-medical-officer-of-health-in-recognition-of-black-history-month/

Quinte Local Immigration Partnership

The Quinte Local Immigration Partnership (QLIP) is one of 60 LIPs across Ontario designed to provide a collaborative framework to facilitate the development and implementation of sustainable solutions for the successful integration of newcomers to Ontario that are local and regional in scope. The QLIP hosts an Anti-Racism Committee, which provides information on initiatives that work on racism issues in our community.

Did You Know? * Information provided courtesy of QLIP

Prince Edward County has a Rural BIPOC (Black Indigenous and People of Colour) Association called All Welcome Here. For information on their community work with Black citizens as well as other racialized communities, please go to: https://allwelcomehere.ca/
The history of Black inhabitants in Prince Edward County and surrounding regions goes back to 1760. Natasha Henry-Dixon, assistant professor of African Canadian History at York University and President of the Ontario Black History Society, is doing extensive research on enslaved black persons living in Prince Edward County from 1760-1834. Click here to see the full information presented by Assistant Professor Henry-Dixon and hosted by All Welcome Here Rural BIPOC Association in PEC in 2022: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bU0Ets5qbk
There is a rich history of black citizens in the Kingston area. Stones Kingston: Exploring Kingston’s Social History has an interesting section on Black history in the Kingston region from 1780 to 1950 provided in both French and English. An audio tour of this history is also available. For information, see the following link from Stones Kingston: www.stoneskingston.ca/black-history/
In the Hastings and Prince Edward regions, the 2021 Census indicates that approximately 1,785 people in the region identify as Black. In Hastings County, the population that identifies as Black has doubled since 2016 and Black populations have increased in PEC as well. (www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/) (www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/)
Temporary seasonal agricultural workers in the Quinte region arrive largely from countries in the Caribbean with high populations of Black citizens. At any given time, the Hastings and Prince Edward County region has about 300 migrant workers who often travel continually to the region seasonally, sometimes for decades, making this area their second home. Their contributions to agricultural production in our communities and across Canada cannot be overstated.