Celebrating Black History Month

By: Nicki Reid, Bilingual BA

‍

Happy Black History Month, Black Futures Month, and / or Ancestor Month! How are you and your family going to be celebrating Black History Month this February? According to Canada.ca, The 2024 theme for Black History Month is: “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build”. This theme celebrates the rich past and present contributions and accomplishments of Black people in Canada, while aspiring to embrace new opportunities for the future. Visit their website here for more resources such as their digital toolkit, short videos about African Canadian History, noteworthy figures, and more.

‍

While everyday is Black History in our home, February brings about many more events, programs, resources, etc. During the course of the year, we explore African centered content through a variety of resources (which I shared about in a previous blog). So for this blog, I encourage you to look into the events that are taking place in and around the city during February. 

The City of Toronto has a page dedicated to Black History Month where they share various initiatives happening for the month of February; from exhibitions, to Black vendor markets, skating and fitness programs, online events, and more. Visit their website here for more details.

‍

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is holding some events for Black History Month including some family friendly events you can check out here.

‍

The Harbour Front Centre is hosting a variety of events over the month of February, one of them being KUUMBA, “Toronto’s largest and longest-running Black Futures Month festival”. For more details about this art exhibition and festival as well as the other events, visit their website.

‍

The Fort York National Historic Site is hosting a free multi-day event throughout the month of February called: “Black Defenders of Upper Canada at Fort York” (located at 250 Fort York Blvd. Toronto). Learn about the role of Richard Pierpoint and the Colored Corps during the war of 1812. For the event times and other specifics, check out the website here. In addition, they are also hosting a free event on Monday February 19, 2024, called “Family Day at Fort York”. Bring the kids out for a day of baking, dancing, music, and more (on a first come, first serve basis). See more information here.

‍

Montgomery’s Inn (located at 4709 Dundas St. W. Toronto) is running a free “Drop in Stories and Poetry Day” from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Saturday February 17, 2024. There will be story time by Black storytellers as well as interactive activities for the family. Visit their website for more details.

‍

The Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) will be taking place this year starting on Wednesday February 14, 2024 - Monday, February 19, 2024. To view their film selection, events schedule, and more, click here. In addition, they will be running their TBFF Kids Festival on Family Day, Monday February 19, 2024. There will be arts and crafts, screenings, story telling, and more. For their event start times, check out their website. On the same day, the TBFF Kids Film Festival will have screenings that you can view here.

‍

Bring the family out to support local Black owned entrepreneurs and their businesses at The Trending Table Market, being held at Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St. Toronto) on Saturday February 24, 2024 - Sunday February 25, 2024 between 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Be one of the first 30 people there and receive a swag bag! Click here for more info.

‍

Mama, if you are a book lover like myself and are interested in a new read or two, check out this collection of Canadian books that CBC has compiled for Black History Month.

‍

Finally, I wanted to leave you with one last resource from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario that showcases some of the different Black History Month events happening in the various municipalities.

‍

Enjoy at your leisure!

‍

Be excellent, be you, and be well mama.

‍
Nicki Reid, Bilingual BA

Certified Transformational Coach | Certified Essential Oil Specialist |

Certified ARōMATOUCH Practitioner | 200 YTT , Wholesome Mind Health Coaching

‍