You’re Invited to Black History Month Events in February 2015

Mayor John Tory will proclaim February as Black History Month, recognizing the contributions of African-Canadians in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Celebratory events for Black History Month in February include the following. (Most events have FREE admissions.)

Toronto Public Library

  • The Toronto Public Library marks Black History Month with FREE events featuring song, film and literature that celebrate the African diaspora.
  • ‘Malcolm X: 50 Years After – Pertinent or Passe?
    • February 20 from 2 to 4 p.m.
    • Toronto’s Poet Laureate, George Elliott Clarke, along with Toronto poets Lillian Allen, Clifton Joseph and Andrea Thompson in a discussion of the legacy of the American civil rights champion.
    • Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St.

Toronto Public Health

  • “Racism, Health & Resilience: Strategies for Closing Health Inequities”
    • February 12, 2 to 4 p.m.
    • A discussion with Dr. Kwame McKenzie about the affects of racism on people’s health.
    • The event will be held at the Ryerson Student Centre, 55 Gould St.
    • FREE, but registration is required.

Toronto Museums

  • Mackenzie House
    “A Glimpse of Black Life in Victorian Toronto 1850-1860”

    • Saturday, January 31 through Sunday, March 1.
    • This exhibit introduces members of the Black community in Victorian Toronto and their contributions to the city.
    • Curated by Afua Cooper, this exhibit examines the varied aspects of Black life in mid-Victorian Toronto.
    • Included with regular admission.
  • Market Gallery: FREE Admssion and Donations are Accepted
    “Political Activism and the Black Community in the 19th Century”

    • Students are introduced to notable Torontonians who played a major role in the 19th century Anti-Slavery movement.
    • Market Gallery, 2nd floor, South St. Lawrence Market, 95 Front St. E. Toronto ON

For details, please visit Toronto’s Museums Featured Events

Heritage Toronto

  • “The Power of Mentoring, Diversity and Dreaming Big”
    • February 19, 2015 from 1:00 – 2:30pm EST.
    • Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St. E.
    • Toronto’s Poet Laureate, George Elliott Clarke will moderate a panel discussion for students from across Canada (live or via the National Film Board’s Virtual Classroom) with four brilliant Black mentors and talk about how to achieve their highest career aspirations in a diverse workplace and how to give back to their communities.
    • Join us for this panel discussion either in person (student transportation subsidies available) or via the NFB’s Virtual Classroom live streamed from the Daniels Spectrum Auditorium in Regent Park, Toronto – one of Canada’s most multicultural neighbourhoods.
    • SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY:
      Thompson Egbo-Egbo (pianist), Shawn Byfield (dancer), and Sean Mauricette aka Subliminal (beat-boxer and soul-hopper).
    • Please click here for more info and to register.
    • FREE!

Parks, Forestry and Recreation

Community Centres across Toronto will be hosting local events to mark Black History Month, from sports events to film nights. Please read the full schedule.

  • Earl Bales Community Centre, 4169 Bathurst St. (Bathurst and Sheppard)
    • February 1 to 28
    • Black History Month poster series on display
  • Jimmy Simpson Recreation Centre, 870 Queen St. E
    • Every Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.
    • Black History Month: awareness and triumph through film.
    • Films promoting the overcoming of racism and awareness of the African American/African Canadian struggle.
    • Discussion following each film.

Enjoy!

NEWS RELEASE

27-Jan-2015

City of Toronto to proclaim February as Black History Month

Mayor John Tory will proclaim February as Black History Month, recognizing the contributions of African-Canadians in Toronto.

“Black History Month gives us an opportunity explore and celebrate the rich African-Canadian history that has helped build our city,” said Mayor John Tory. “Canadians of all backgrounds should know the incredible history of our black citizens as builders, advocates and people who defended our country in many challenging times and who lead in so many ways today. That is why Black History Month is so important. It gives us an opportunity to explore and celebrate the contribution of our black community.

City divisions and agencies will have programming throughout the month, in addition to the many private events that will take place across Toronto. The Toronto Public Library will recognize Black History Month with song, film and literature that celebrate African-Canadian culture. On Friday, February 20, from 2 to 4 p.m., the Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St., will host Toronto’s Poet Laureate, George Elliott Clarke, along with Toronto poets Lillian Allen, Clifton Joseph and Andrea Thompson in a discussion called Malcolm X: 50 Years After – Pertinent or Passé? The Toronto Public
Library also holds more than 16,000 items in the Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection.

On Thursday, February 12, from 2 to 4 p.m., Toronto Public Health will present Racism, Health & Resilience: Strategies for Closing Health Inequities, a discussion with Dr. Kwame McKenzie about the affects of racism on people’s health. The event will be held at the Ryerson Student Centre, 55 Gould St.

During the month of February, Mackenzie House will profile African-Canadians from the Victorian era in A Glimpse of Black Life in Victorian Toronto 1850-1860. On February 19, Heritage Toronto is hosting The Power of Mentoring, Diversity and Dreaming Big at the Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St. E. A listing of City-related exhibitions, educational displays and community-based events can be found at bit.ly/1CK2bcz.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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