Happy Black History Month!

February marks the start of Black History Month, a time dedicated to honouring the history, achievements, and contributions of the black community here in Canada. This is an important opportunity to reflect on the profound impact Black Canadians have had and continue to have in shaping our social, political and cultural landscape.

The theme for this year’s Black History Month in Canada is “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations – From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries”. This month invites us to reflect on the resilience, leadership, and advocacy of Black people, past and present, whose stories are diverse, important and grounded in the notion that Black history is Canadian History.

Black History Month is not only about reflection, but action. We must all acknowledge the barriers that Black people continue to face in Canada and at U of G. We need to recognize that while we are committed to an equitable and inclusive university, there is still more work to do.

Throughout this month, I encourage you to listen to Black voices, learn about Black history, and attend the many events being led by our U of G community. These actions, along with challenging racism when we see or hear it, can help foster meaningful change and a strong, successful future.

Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting a few of the many influential Black Canadians each week, celebrating their contributions and sharing the stories that continue to inspire change today.

Happy Black History Month U of G!

Indira Naidoo-Harris, 

Associate Vice-President, Diversity & Human Rights