 |
Women in front of YWCA’s Ontario House, 698 Ontario Street - ca. 1912
Photographer: William James
City of Toronto Archives - Fonds 1244, Item 71.22 |
Each year, the City of Toronto is proud to support events and exhibits scheduled for Black History Month, inviting members of the public to explore and celebrate the heritage, traditions and culture of African-Canadians.
Black History Month began in the United States as "Negro History Week" in February 1926, through the work of African American scholar Dr. Carter G. Woodson. His aim was to raise awareness and understanding in the school curriculum of the African experience around the world. The United States began to formally celebrate Black History Month in the 1960s. Through community activities, organizers sought to present a more balanced and accurate picture of Black history.
In the 1950’s, community organizations such as the Canadian Negro Women’s Association began to celebrate the importance of the history of the black community in Toronto. In 1979, Toronto became the first municipality in Canada to proclaim Black History Month through efforts of many individuals and organizations such as the Ontario Black History Society. In 1995, Toronto Area MP Jean Augustine introduced a motion which was passed unanimously by the House of Commons to recognise Black History Month across Canada.
Black History Month is an opportunity for the City of Toronto to recognize the past and present contributions that African Canadians make to the life of Toronto in such areas as education, medicine, art, culture, public service, economic development, politics and human rights.
Black History Month links
Black History at the City of Toronto Archives
Black History Month events across Canada
Canadian Black Heritage in the Third Millennium
Canadian Race Relations Foundation
Theatrical collaborations - Born Ready/Smokescreen
Voices of the Diaspora
Committee to Commemorate and Memorialize the
Abolition of the Slave Trade (CMAST)
Ontario Black History Society
Toronto Public Library
