Every February, Black Heritage Month honours the legacy and contributions of Black Canadians, past and present. We’re proud to recognize and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black community members and invite you to join us this month.
On this page:
About Black Heritage Month
Black History Month originated in the United States in response to the lack of public information on the achievements of Black people. Black historian Carter G. Woodson co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915. Today, other countries, including Canada, have joined the United States in celebrating Black people and their contribution to history.
Black History Month was first celebrated in Canada in 1950. However, it was not until December 1995, following a motion introduced by the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, that the House of Commons unanimously carried the motion and officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada. In 2008, Senator Donald Oliver, the first Black man appointed to the Senate, presented the motion, which resulted in the Senate officially declaring February as Black History Month. Oliver’s motion was the final parliamentary procedure needed for Canada’s permanent recognition of Black History Month.
Black History Month has also been referred to as African-American History Month, African History Month, African Heritage Month and Black Heritage Month.
Heritage or History
Overall, the general argument for the change from Black History to Black Heritage centres on the past. Celebrating the past has always been the focal point of Black History Month. However, Black Heritage commemorates past and present accomplishments within the Black community and sets sights on bright futures ahead. Black Heritage acknowledges the resilience and bravery of those who came before us while also acknowledging the ongoing barriers to equity and inclusion that are still present within our communities.
Most notably, the Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS), in collaboration with the University of Guelph’s Cultural Diversity Office and the Guelph Black Student’s Association, announced in 2021 that they would be recognizing Black Heritage Month. Nova Scotia, particularly the Halifax region, recognizes Black Heritage Month.
We’re committed to operating as an organization where racism and oppression are not permissible at either an individual or systemic level, and therefore, we recognize February as Black Heritage Month.
Colours
Black History Month takes its colours from the Pan-African Flag (also known as the UNIA flag, the Afro-American flag, the Black Liberation flag and the Marcus Garvey flag). The Pan-African flag was created in 1920 and was intended to symbolize freedom, pride and the political power of Black Americans.
Each colour in the Pan-African flag has a meaning:
- the red stripe represents the blood that has been shed because of slavery and oppression that unites all black people
- the middle black stripe represents Black people’s skin colour and is symbolic of the strength of their community
- the bottom green stripe represents the fertile lands of the African continent
The combination of these three colours signifies the spirit of the black community, a people who are striving to create a society free of oppression.
When you see yellow with these colours, it symbolizes the immense riches found in the many countries across continental Africa.
Equity and anti-racism work
Visit our Corporate Strategy on Equity and Anti-Racism page to learn about what we’re working on.
Anti-racism resources
Black Heritage Month is a time dedicated to honouring the legacy and contribution of Black Canadians, both past and present. It’s important that this learning and recognition extends beyond February.
We’ve collected some articles, videos and lists of local Black-owned business to support your learning journey.
Articles
- Call it what it is: Anti-Blackness
- On anti-Black racism: Canada can do better, be better
- Racism in Canada is ever-present, but we have a long history of denial
- Racism is a global issue: the importance of cultivating an anti-racist agenda
- Responding to racism during the COVID-19 outbreak
- The Black Experience Project in the GTA
Videos and courses
- Confronting Anti-Black Racism e-Learning Course
- Being Black in Canada | CBC Special presentation (2021)
- Being Black in Canada | Top Stories | CBC
- Fighting anti‑Black racism in Canada: A conversation with the Black North Initiative (Shaar Shalom Lecture)
- Real Talk about anti-Black racism
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | INBOUND 2018 Keynote