Black History Month 2022 / Graphic from Government of Canada

Every February, communities across North America come together in celebration of Black History Month. This dedicated time is to honour the contributions of Black communities and to celebrate Black resilience and brilliance. While the learnings and offerings in February are valuable, the recognition of these achievements and contributions is an important year-round commitment. 

The Centre for Intercultural Engagement (CIE) has curated a list of suggested resources which provide a variety of opportunities for others to learn, engage, support, and celebrate this vibrant and resilient community.

Suggested Resources & Events

Many events listed below are free, but some are ticketed events and there is a cost to attend. If you would like to join one of these ticketed events and you are a current Langara employee or student, or alumni, please email CIE at cieoffice@langara.ca as there are some sponsorship opportunities available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The CIE is aware this is not an exhaustive list and welcomes input from the community. If you have suggestions for articles, podcasts, webinars, events, etc., we invite you to contact our office as well. 

Black history in BC and Canada and contemporary Black Canadians leading in their communities.

Periodic Table of Canadian Black History

  • From entrepreneurs to musicians, writers to activists there is much to be learned from this unique site which provides an interactive and creative representation of Canadian Black History.  

What to Watch, Read and Listen to Learn More about Black History:

  • UBC’S Equity and Inclusion Office offers this list of movies, documentaries, books and podcasts for you to learn more about Black history in BC and Canada.

Podcast: The History of People of African Descent in Canada

  • In this podcast, Dr. Isaac Saney discusses and explains the history of people of African descent in Canada and the long struggle for freedom and self-determination.

12 Black Queer Canadian Artists to Know

  • Out on Screen is highlighting Black Queer Canadian artists to know and provides a list to get you started.

Radio Canada International: Portraits of Black Canadians

  • Find out more about Black Canadians who contributed to the building of Canada and who are making their mark every day.

ASE Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities

  • Learn more about this newly formed Federally Incorporated not-for-profit and volunteer organization that aspires to build on the foundations of resilience, endurance, and the overwhelming strength embodied by Black Canadians living with disabilities, and drive a critical shift in culture that embraces the boundless talents and qualifications of people with disabilities.

Community Stories - BC's Black Pioneers: Their Industry and Character Influenced the Vision of Canada

  • The BC Black History Awareness Society and Digital Museums Canada offers a wealth of resources including stories, videos, and pictures of some of the first Black people in BC.

The Government of Canada

  • Black History Month theme for 2022 is “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day”. Check this page for their new digital toolkit and more.

Global News: 3 Black Canadians on Inspiring the Next Generation of Queer Leaders

  • Global News spoke to three Black queers on their hope for queer future. 

Royal BC Museum – Hope Meets Action

  • This online complement to the exhibition Hope Meets Action: Echoes Through the Black Continuum, answers how we can better understand the experiences and contributions of Black British Columbians in order to correct historical erasure.

Black on the Prairies: 2022 “Place” Edition

  • CBC’s Black on the Prairies, Place Edition, places Blackness in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba at the centre of Canada’s story. For more stories about the Black experience in Canada, you can go to Being Black in Canada.

Other stories of interest:

Local and national events throughout the month of February and beyond.

Feb 4 - Africa Great Lakes (FREE)

Feb 8 - Black Lives Matter in Italy and the Legacy of Colonialism (FREE)

  • Join this online talk with Italian-Ghanaian filmmaker and activist Fred Kudjo Kuwornu on the topic of “Black Lives Matter in Italy and the Legacy of Colonialism”.

Feb 9 & 16: Vancouver and District Labour Council: Facing Facts and Finding Feelings (FREE)

  • Join moderator Alicia Fahrner and speakers Candace Knoll (Racism is a Virus), and Parker Johnson (Anti-Racism, Respect and Inclusion at Work) for an insightful discussion to honour Black History Month.

Feb 17 - Canadian Heritage Black History Month Virtual Celebration (FREE)

  • Tune in to the Black History Month virtual celebration on Facebook Live at 4 pm PST (7 pm EST). This live virtual event highlighting this year's theme will feature performances, tributes, interviews, and much more! 

Feb 19 - AFAM African Fashion Week Vancouver 2022 (TICKETED EVENT)

  • This event features fashion shows, arts, music and dance performances, awards, exhibition and marketplace.

Feb 25 - Let's Hear It! Live - Celebrating Black History Month (TICKETED EVENT)

  • Celebrating Black History Month this event features 3 emerging Black artists from BC with a special guest performance by Prado Monroe + Floetic.

SFU Lecture Series: Highlighting Black Histories - SFU Department of History

  • Below are the final two offerings from this series but for more complete information, please check out their Department of History’s website: 

    • Feb 17 - Homegoing: Blackness and Belonging Across the Canada/US Border with Debra Thompson (FREE): "But, where are you really from?" Exploring the boundaries of racial belonging in Canada and the US.

    • April 14 - Canada’s Hidden Figures: The Story of Black Women Cooperators with Caroline Shenaz Hossein (FREE): The story of the "Banker Ladies" is hidden and erased from history, but it is a story worth knowing.

BC Black History Awareness Society

  • The BC Black History Awareness Society based out of Victoria, has many events on their roster this February. Below is a selection of their virtual or local Vancouver offerings. For the complete list, head to the event page on their website. 
    • Feb 5 - Webinar: “History of anti-Black Racism in Canadian Schools and Universities” with Dr. June Francis (FREE)
    • Feb 16 - Livestream: A conversation with Dr. Cornel West “Being a Hope Amid Crisis” (FREE)
    • Feb 25 - Livestream Option: Celebrate the power and joy of music with Dawn Pemberton and Louise Rose (TICKETED EVENT)

Vancouver Art Gallery – Jan Wade: Soul Power (TICKETED EVENT)

  • Jan Wade draws on her lived experience as an African Canadian person and her mixed cultural heritage in this exhibition. Through her mixed-media paintings, textiltes, and sculptural objects, this Vancouver-based artist brings together her diverse body of work alongside new pieces made specifically for the exhibition. On now until March 13, 2022. Learn more.

Museum of Anthropology: SANKOFA African Routes, Canadian Roots (TICKETED EXHIBIT)

  • This exhibit looks at some of the divergent—and often fragmented—paths of political mobilization and cultural assertion that African and Black people in the diaspora have taken. Centered on works by contemporary artists from Lagos, Nigeria, and Vancouver, in conversation with objects in MOA’s permanent collection, this exhibition shares stories, histories and projects of African and Black affirmation. In particular, it draws connections to historical contributions and the growing vitality of Black Canadians in Vancouver. On now until March 27, 2022.
Support Black-owned businesses, creators, and artists all year long.

There are a number of ways you can support the community all year long:

  • Donate to mutual aid funds and non-profits that support local Black communities.
  • Try some delicious food from a Black-owned restaurant.
  • Shop at local Black-owned shops and stores. Visit this growing list of Black-owned stores in and around Vancouver. Or, do a quick google search or find a Black-owned business in your area here. 
  • And, the list goes on!

Do you have other ideas? Let us know your thoughts at cieoffice@langara.ca.