BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Black Historical Figures in Canadian Society
| The birth of Rose Fortune in 1774 is celebrated because she was the first Black law enforcement officer and businesswoman. Read more |  |
| Benjamin Banneker was a self-educated scientist, astronomer, inventor, writer, and antislavery publicist. He built a striking clock entirely from wood, published a Farmers' Almanac, and actively campaigned against slavery. He was one of the first African Americans to gain distinction in science. Read more |  |
Madame Walker |
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| Daniel Hale Williams - African American Doctor Daniel Hale Williams is credited with having performed open heart surgery on July 9, 1893 before such surgeries were established. In 1913, Daniel Hale Williams Williams was the only African American member of the American College of Surgeons. Read more |  |
| Dr. Patricia Bath, an ophthalmologist from New York, but living in Los Angeles when she received her patent, became the first African American woman doctor to receive a patent for a medical invention. Patricia Bath's patent (no. 4,744,360), a method for removing cataract lenses, transformed eye surgery, using a laser device making the procedure more accurate. Read more... |  |
The noted African American inventor, Elijah McCoy was issued more than 57 patents for his inventions during his lifetime. His best known invention was a cup that fed lubricating oil to machine bearings through a small bore tube. Machinists and engineers who wanted genuine McCoy lubricators might have used the expression "the real McCoy." Read more... |
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Mary Ann Shadd (1823-1893) As a child, Mary's father's shoemaking store housed a portion of the underground railway. She encountered many frightened slaves fleeing to Canada. Shadd started the first integrated school in Canada and was the first female newspaper editor and first female black lawyer in North America. |
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Dr. Ernest Everett Just (1883-1941) Ernest Just of was a zoologist, biologist, and research scientist in the field of physical chemistry. Ernest Just's research made advancements in the following areas:
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For more African Canadian historical facts and significant dates in Ontario - Click here
March 25 - Abolition of Slave Trade
On March 25, 1807, the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed. The Slavery Abolition Act outlawed slavery throughout the British Empire.
Young student's documentary leaving audiences stunned
Kiri Davis is a young filmmaker whose high school documentary has left audiences at film festivals across the country stunned -- and has re-ignited a powerful debate over race.
Watch Video click here
Weekly Events
**Please check Libraries and Universities across the Province of Ontario, which are sponsoring events to celebrate black history month. Please check your local library/Universities for times and dates.
February 15
Educate Yourself: Black History Displays by the African & Caribbean Student Association (ACSA).
10am-5:00 pm, Robert Sutherland Room, the John Deutsch University Centre (University Ave. at Union). Contact: Anu Hundeyein, Anu.Hundeyin@gmail.com.
February 15
Lunch & Learn –12:00pm to 1:00pm - Location – 200 Town Centre Court, Suite 1051 & 1051A 10th fl.
Akwatu Khenti – Guest Speaker
Akwatu Khenti has been contributing to the African Canadian community through his community development work addressing the health and educational needs of marginalized Black youth as well as promotion of African Canadian Heritage as part of the Ontario educational curriculum. He has authored several papers, including A Brief History of Black Toronto, Building a Racism Free Canada and a handbook for parenting Black children.
February 19 to 23
"Journey to the Present" exhibit traces the history of African Canadians from the continent to present day.
Malvern Community Centre, 30 Sewells Rd.
Free admission
February 19 to 23
Vendors market featuring Afro-centric arts and crafts, and food.
North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St., Main level, North grounds
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
February 22
Lunch & Learn –12:00pm to 1:00pm Location – 200 Town Centre Court, Suite 207, 2nd fl.
Film - Journey to Justice Filmmaker Roger McTair charts the little-known history of Canada's civil rights movement, profiling the brave Canadians who led the fight for equality from the 1930s until the 1950s.
February 22
Launch of "I've Got A Home in Glory Land: The Lost Tale of the Underground Railroad" by Karolyn Smardz Frost. Presented by Heritage Toronto in co-operation with the Thomas Allen Publishers.
Information: www.heritagetoronto.org
Historic St. Lawrence Hall, 157 King St. E.
February 22 to March 4
Obsidian Theatre (Canada) and Frank Collymore Hall (Barbados) will premiere The Polished Hoe in Toronto before presenting it in Barbados in April 2007. Based on the award-winning novel by Austin Clarke.
Tickets: Range from $10 - $30 and can be purchased in person at the York Quay Centre Box Office, 235 Queens Quay West or by phone at 416-973-4000
Information: www.obsidian-theatre.com
View full details... (PDF 24 Kb)
February 24 and 25
In the Footsteps of the Black Victorians, Parts One and Two - Two Walking Tours
Walk in the footsteps of the Black citizens of Victorian Toronto in two tours offered by Mackenzie House Museum. Learn about their trials, tribulations, achievements, businesses, pastimes, philanthropic work and enduring contributions. Hear about such people as William Peyton Hubbard, who is still the longest serving councillor in Toronto's history. Visit the former sites of businesses such as Mrs. M. O. Augusta's fashionable ladies' shop, which featured the latest Parisian modes.
Length of walks: 2 hours
Level of difficulty: Easy
Please dress for the weather. Please call ahead to confirm if there is inclement weather. Enjoy a cup of steaming cocoa in the historic kitchen after the tours.
Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St., east of Yonge St., south of Dundas St.
Admission: Adults: $4; Seniors & Youths: $2.75; Children: $2.50.
View full details...
Part 1: Saturday, February 24 - 1 to 3 p.m.
Meet at Market Gallery, St. Lawrence Market South, 2nd floor
The Market Gallery, at Front and Jarvis Streets, was the location of the 1844 City Hall.
This walk concludes at Mackenzie House, home of abolitionist and newspaperman William Lyon Mackenzie, 82 Bond St., east of Yonge and just south of Dundas St. Part 2: Sunday, February 25; 1 to 3 p.m.
Walk begins and concludes at Mackenzie House.
February 28
Dinner - An Evening to Enjoy - 6:00pm
New Venue, Great Food, Entertainment, Door Prizes – Tickets $20.00 Location – Windies Restaurant - 3330 Lawrence Ave East, at Bellamy (10 minutes from 200 Town Centre)
For Tickets contact: |
Heather Willock 416-973-4449 |
Service Canada - Judy Phillips 416-973-3684 |
Continuing through February and March
Saturdays and Sundays
The Black Press in Canada West - An Exhibit
Black literature and journalism throughout the 19th century reflected the reality of the Black experience - the evils and cruelty of slavery, the inspiring flights for freedom, and the advancement of a free people. For members of the Black community, the press also provided a forum for leadership and ensured that the Black community told its own stories. This exhibit explores some of the early publications of Ontario - their publishers, writers, and the significant contributions they made to the Black community and society as a whole. Discover the lives and accomplishments of authors and publishers such as James T. Holly and M.E. Lamport.
Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St., east of Yonge St., south of Dundas St.; Noon to 5 p.m.
Admission: Adults: $4; Seniors & Youths: $2.75; Children: $2.50.
View full details...
Mackenzie House Museum's on-going exploration of Black History also includes an education program for grades 4 & 5 and 7 & 8.
For more information...
The National Film Board of Canada
Is currently presenting Textured: Quilts from the African Diaspora, a multimedia exhibition commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act at NFB Mediatheque, 150 John St. (at Richmond) in Toronto - Admission is free.
The Third Annual Human Rights Watch Toronto Film Festival
Will be held from Saturday, March 3 to Thursday, March 8 at the Art Gallery of Ontario's Jackman Hall, 317 Dundas St. West (McCaul entrance). This event is 18+. For more info call 416-968-3456.
Black History Month Poster 2007
The Black History Month Poster 2007 is designed to educate Canadians about African Canadians who have changed the face of their communities and the country as a whole, opening doors for future generations to walk through. The poster features (PDF 418 Kb):
- Dr. Afua Cooper, award-winning poet, author, historian, curator, performer, cultural worker and recording artist;
- The Honourable Dr. Garth Taylor, Ophthalmologist;
- Michael Van Cooten, Founder, Publisher and Editor of Pride News Magazine; and
- Christine Williams, District Vice President, Scotiabank
The poster is approximately 18" X 25" and is available for sale during Black History Month for $8 CDN. For more information or to order a poster, call 416-395-6475.
FILM SCREENINGS and PANEL DISCUSSIONS for YOUTH
The Multiculturalism Program will host two screenings in Canada’s National Capital Region and in 8 cities across Canada in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada, Library and Archives Canada, schools and community organizations. Please click here to find out what screenings are occurring in your area.
The choices of films for 2007 are identified below:
- Freedom’s Land: Canada and the Underground Railroad (52 minutes)
The incredible exodus of thousands of African Americans to Canada in the 1850's, told through the story of Henry Bibb, enslaved in Shelby County, Kentucky.
- Journey to Justice (47 minutes)
A tribute to a group of Canadians who took racism to court. They are Canada’s unsung heroes in the fight for Black civil rights.
- Au Nom de la Mère et du Fils (52 minutes)
A portrait of life in the Montreal neighbourhood of Saint-Michel for two youths of Haitian origin, whom we follow in their quest for hope and freedom.
Black History Month links
Canadian Black Heritage in the Third Millennium
http://fcis.oise.utoronto.ca/~gpieters/blklinks.html
Canadian Race Relations Foundation
www.crr.ca
Toronto Public Library
www.tpl.toronto.on.ca
Toronto Cultural Centres
www.toronto.ca/culture/calendar.htm
The Underground Railroad Years
collections.ic.gc.ca
Voice Print Canada
http://www.voiceprintcanada.com