Black History Month

Lenya Wilks poses for a photo in Surrey, B.C. on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Wilks says she felt like the “only Black person in Surrey” when she first moved to the city east of Vancouver last year. But the Black population in the region is growing fast and residents who who once might have left in search of community are increasingly staying to forge their own, says Wilks, senior manager of the Surrey Local Immigration Partnership. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel

‘You’re not the only one’: Vancouver’s Black population rising fast, census shows

Metro Vancouver has historically had one of the smallest Black populations in the country

 

Deress Asghedom, who has been shortlisted for a $25,000 prize in a national contest for Black entrepreneurs, poses for a photograph at his home in Vancouver on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Funding woes inspire $25,000 pitching competition for Black entrepreneurs

2 finalists are from B.C.

 

Black Connections HS started at Yale secondary school and has grown to include high schools across the Abbotsford school district. (Black Connections HS/Instagram)

Black high school students in Abbotsford gaining connections, community and culture through club

Black Connections HS brought to Yale secondary when staff noticed a problem with anti-Black racism

 

Vant Hayes, 88, visits a cemetery in Breton, Alta., on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. Originally called Keystone, which was established in 1909 by a group of African-American immigrants. The new Black Canadian homesteaders arrived from Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, just four years after Alberta became a province in 1905. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

‘The only Black one left:’ Alberta village remembers its African-American roots

The early 1900s saw an exodus of African Americans to four tiny communities in Alberta

Vant Hayes, 88, visits a cemetery in Breton, Alta., on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. Originally called Keystone, which was established in 1909 by a group of African-American immigrants. The new Black Canadian homesteaders arrived from Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, just four years after Alberta became a province in 1905. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
File - In 2023, are celebrations such as Black History Month still needed? This writer weighs in. Picture shown is an event promoting Black history month at the The Nanaimo African Heritage Society in lieu of their second annual online gala. (News Bulletin file photo)

HITCHINS: In 2023, yes, Black History Month is still important

Recognizing accomplishments by those of African origin vital to identity

File - In 2023, are celebrations such as Black History Month still needed? This writer weighs in. Picture shown is an event promoting Black history month at the The Nanaimo African Heritage Society in lieu of their second annual online gala. (News Bulletin file photo)
FILE - Georgia Jackson, center, accompanied by the Rev. Cecil Williams, right, of Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, arrive at the Hall of Justice on Aug. 24, 1971, for a court appearance of two surviving Soledad Brothers - John Clutchette and Fleeta Drumgo. Jackson’s son, George Jackson, was killed on Saturday, Aug. 21, 1971, at San Quentin prison. First celebrated in 1979, Black August was originally created to commemorate Jackson’s fight for Black liberation. Fifty one years since his death, Black August is now a month-long awareness campaign and celebration dedicated to Black American freedom fighters, revolutionaries, radicals and political prisoners, both living and deceased. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

VIDEO: Black August uplifted as alternative Black History Month

The month celebrates Black freedom fighters, revolutionaries, radicals and political prisoners

FILE - Georgia Jackson, center, accompanied by the Rev. Cecil Williams, right, of Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, arrive at the Hall of Justice on Aug. 24, 1971, for a court appearance of two surviving Soledad Brothers - John Clutchette and Fleeta Drumgo. Jackson’s son, George Jackson, was killed on Saturday, Aug. 21, 1971, at San Quentin prison. First celebrated in 1979, Black August was originally created to commemorate Jackson’s fight for Black liberation. Fifty one years since his death, Black August is now a month-long awareness campaign and celebration dedicated to Black American freedom fighters, revolutionaries, radicals and political prisoners, both living and deceased. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
February is Black History Month.

Abbotsford superintendent shares thoughts, hopes during Canadian Black History Month

Month is an ‘opportunity to punctuate positive personal and cultural identity for Black children’

February is Black History Month.
Vashti Harrison’s books Little Leaders and Little Legends are among a long list of suggested reads for Black History Month, curated by staff at the Fraser Valley Regional Library.

Fraser Valley Regional Library shares their top selections for Black History Month

Library staff recommendations for audio books, films, biographies and more

Vashti Harrison’s books Little Leaders and Little Legends are among a long list of suggested reads for Black History Month, curated by staff at the Fraser Valley Regional Library.
Pulcherie Mboussi, executive director of Issamba Centre, has lived in Victoria since arriving from Montreal in 2010. (Black Press Media file photo)

Members of B.C.’s African diaspora call for better Black representation

Issamba Centre couches Black History Month discussions around release of provincial racism report

Pulcherie Mboussi, executive director of Issamba Centre, has lived in Victoria since arriving from Montreal in 2010. (Black Press Media file photo)
This image released by Magnolia Pictures shows James Baldwin in a scene from the documentary, “I Am Not Your Negro.” (Dan Budnik/Magnolia Pictures via AP)

New online Abbotsford book club will focus on diversity, powerful authors

First book to be read is Sonny’s Blues by civil rights activist and author James Baldwin

This image released by Magnolia Pictures shows James Baldwin in a scene from the documentary, “I Am Not Your Negro.” (Dan Budnik/Magnolia Pictures via AP)
Victoria Coun. Sharmarke Dubow faced said the racism he faced after his holiday travels are a reminder that anti-Black racism exists in our community. (Photo by Quinton Gordon)

Victoria councillor faces racism after holiday travel

Sharmarke Dubow’s career focuses on marginalized communities

Victoria Coun. Sharmarke Dubow faced said the racism he faced after his holiday travels are a reminder that anti-Black racism exists in our community. (Photo by Quinton Gordon)
Actors Louis Gossett Jr. (centre) and Matthew Modine (right) are shown in a scene from the film “Foster Boy.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Toronto Black Film Festival MANDATORY CREDIT

Toronto Black Film Festival founder says 2021 edition is ‘more significant’ than ever

Founder says she’s had film lovers from around the world express interest in buying tickets this year

Actors Louis Gossett Jr. (centre) and Matthew Modine (right) are shown in a scene from the film “Foster Boy.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Toronto Black Film Festival MANDATORY CREDIT
Sylvia Okonofua, of the University of Regina’s Stem Cell Club. (YouTube)

Most Black Canadians won’t find a stem cell donor in time; this group is working to change that

Less than 3 per cent of stem cell donors are Black

Sylvia Okonofua, of the University of Regina’s Stem Cell Club. (YouTube)
A few of the books available on the topic of Black history in Canada.

If you think Black history isn’t Canadian history, think again

‘In a community with a relatively small number of Black residents, it would be easy to let Black History Month pass without pausing’

  • Feb 10, 2021
A few of the books available on the topic of Black history in Canada.
Lola Adeyemi, a Nigerian entrepreneur, poses with a few of her African soup products, which are now sold in Sobeys and other Canadian grocery retailers, in Toronto on Friday, February 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

‘I don’t want to be a unicorn’: Black founders struggle to raise venture capital

Quantifying how much less funding Black business owners get is tough because it’s seldom tracked in Canada

Lola Adeyemi, a Nigerian entrepreneur, poses with a few of her African soup products, which are now sold in Sobeys and other Canadian grocery retailers, in Toronto on Friday, February 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Lama Mugabo, a board member at the Hogan’s Alley Society, poses for a photograph at the remaining portion of Hogan’s Alley, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. The historic black neighbourhood was demolished to make way for the construction of the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts in the early 1970s. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Reclaiming Hogan’s Alley: Society pitches new life for historic Black Vancouver area

At the height of its vibrancy, the viaduct was an entertainment district attracting the likes of Sammy Davis Jr. and Ella Fitzgerald

Lama Mugabo, a board member at the Hogan’s Alley Society, poses for a photograph at the remaining portion of Hogan’s Alley, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. The historic black neighbourhood was demolished to make way for the construction of the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts in the early 1970s. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
DJ Rossco is among the curators of the TURN IT UP playlists that will be available through The Reach Gallery Museum in celebration of Black History Month.

The Reach celebrates Black History throughout the month and beyond

Abbotsford gallery-museum features several activities, including virtual events

DJ Rossco is among the curators of the TURN IT UP playlists that will be available through The Reach Gallery Museum in celebration of Black History Month.
Ron Mapp poses for a photo in Edmonton, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. Mapp grew up in Amber Valley, Alta. and his great-grandfather was one of the scouts who visited the area and returned with the first wave of African-American settlers in 1910. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

‘One of the biggest Black settlements in Western Canada’ has rich history

About 300 people settled in Amber Valley, about 170 kilometres north of Edmonton

Ron Mapp poses for a photo in Edmonton, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. Mapp grew up in Amber Valley, Alta. and his great-grandfather was one of the scouts who visited the area and returned with the first wave of African-American settlers in 1910. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Desmond was found guilty of tax evasion after she challenged racial segregation at the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow on Nov. 8, 1946. She was given a posthumous apology by Nova Scotia in 2010.

Nova Scotia symbolically repays Viola Desmond’s $26 fine from 1946 theatre protest

An official cheque for the original $26 fine will be displayed at the Nova Scotia legislature

Desmond was found guilty of tax evasion after she challenged racial segregation at the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow on Nov. 8, 1946. She was given a posthumous apology by Nova Scotia in 2010.
Viola Desmond, often described as Canada’s Rosa Parks for her 1946 decision to sit in a whites-only section of a Nova Scotia movie theatre, is shown in this undated handout image provided by Communications Nova Scotia. Black Canadian leaders and artists say a lot work needs to be done when it comes to how Black History Month is taught and celebrated in Canada, and how we honour Black trailblazers such as Desmond. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Communications Nova Scotia MANDATORY CREDIT

Black leaders and artists reflect on Black History Month in 2021

For many Black Canadians, this year especially can be deeply personal and nuanced

Viola Desmond, often described as Canada’s Rosa Parks for her 1946 decision to sit in a whites-only section of a Nova Scotia movie theatre, is shown in this undated handout image provided by Communications Nova Scotia. Black Canadian leaders and artists say a lot work needs to be done when it comes to how Black History Month is taught and celebrated in Canada, and how we honour Black trailblazers such as Desmond. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Communications Nova Scotia MANDATORY CREDIT