Black History Month
The choice of February as the month to highlight Black history was obvious to the initiators at the time, as it coincided with the birthdays of two emblematic figures in the abolition of slavery: Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.
The first Negro Week was held in the United States in 1926. The idea made its way to Canada, where it was introduced in 1978. The story behind the creation of Black History Month is presented on this page, which also mentions the proclamation by Quebec’s National Assembly making it official on February 1, 2007.
The aim of this designation is to pay tribute to the contribution of the black community to our societies, past and present. It is also an opportunity to discover historical facts, including the fact that black people suffered slavery in many countries, on different scales, such as Canada and the United States.
A number of initiatives have been put forward to recognize the contribution of people from the
At the same time, invitations are extended to explore the various facets of the history and ongoing contributions of the Black community, as evidenced by this article in USA Today and this site, which provides some information and avenues for action.
Tribute to Carol Wall
Each year, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) pays tribute to a Black individual whose commitment and significant contributions have helped shape society and advance social justice. In 2026, this recognition highlights the inspiring life and work of Carol Wall.
A dedicated Black feminist and trade union activist, Carol Wall devoted her life to dismantling systemic barriers, challenging inequality, and fostering courageous and necessary dialogue to bring about meaningful social change. A founding member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, she was among the first Black women activists in Ontario to publicly denounce ethnicity-based wage discrimination, paving the way for major advances in workplace equity.
This tribute is part of a broader movement to amplify the voices, stories, and creative contributions of Black communities. In recent years, numerous initiatives have encouraged greater openness to Black literary and artistic production, notably through the efforts of publishing houses committed to the translation and dissemination of influential works. For example, the essays of bell hooks, a leading figure in Afro-American feminism, were translated into French only belatedly, while Robyn Maynard’s book Policing Black Lives (NoirEs sous surveillance) was translated and published by Mémoire d’encrier, enriching contemporary reflections on systemic racism.
Avenues to explore…
February will also see the broadcast of numerous television programs on national and specialized stations.
In short, Black History Month is an invitation to discover the many facets of the Black community and to appreciate its contribution.
Here are a few other avenues to explore…
- Radio-Canada – Over 400 years of Canadian history
- Canadian historical reminder with the Canadian Encyclopedia
- Timeline – Franco-Ontarian (in French only)
- Collection of NFB films by allied directors or directors from Black communities