February is Black History Month

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By Emily Carr University

Posted on February 01, 2024 | Updated February 01, 2024, 9:22am

Resources, events and organizations to help you celebrate.

February is Black History Month. It’s a time to celebrate the indelible legacy and ongoing contributions Black Canadians make to their communities and Canada’s past, present and future.

The critical role played by Black people and their communities in Canadian history has largely been ignored. Though the stories of Black Canadians should be celebrated all year, Black History Month is a time to learn more about these Canadian stories and actively contend with their historical erasure.

It’s also a time for Emily Carr University to examine its own history of exclusion and marginalization, and to reflect on its present practices and actionable commitments to building a more inclusive institution as we work toward a truly equitable future, recognizing ECU has much work to do.

Shining a spotlight on the ways Black community members continue to shape the world is one important part of dismantling systemic racism. It’s also part of building a durable foundation for more equitable futures for ECU’s community and the many communities in which we all participate.

In the spirit of learning, reflecting and honouring, we’ve gathered a list of resources and events below to support your participation in Black History Month.

Organizations + Resources

Emily Carr University Library’s Black History Month & Beyond features items in the library collection honouring the stories, work and histories of Black writers, artists, theorists, educators and librarians. ECU Library believes in celebrating Black individuals and communities all year long. You can find these resources and many more in their library catalogue at any time. They add new material regularly, so check back often. The ECU Library also encourages suggestions so they can add them to their reading list.

Black Arts Centre (BLAC) is an artist-run centre, cultural hub and community space owned and operated by Black youth in Surrey, BC. BLAC exists to support and celebrate Black art and artists across disciplines at a local, national and international scale. Living at the intersection of art, community, and culture, BLAC hosts exhibitions, performances, events, workshops and other diverse programming. Visit their website to learn more about their programming and resources.

Black Arts Vancouver is a community organization focusing on furthering the arts expression of Pan-African Youth in Vancouver, Canada. Visit their website to learn more.

Black Screen Office works independently and in collaboration with screen industry decision-makers and creators to make Canada’s screen industries equitable and free of anti-Black racism. Through ground-breaking research, innovative workforce initiatives, education and advocacy, the BSO creates and supports opportunities for Black Canadians to have thriving careers in the screen industries and to share their onscreen stories globally.

ADVANCE is Canada’s Black music business collective. They are a community leading the change in developing an infrastructure for the betterment, upliftment, and retention of Black people in the music business.

CultureBrew.Art is a digital platform that promotes and fosters intersectional interculturalism throughout the arts. Its central tool is a national searchable database of Indigenous and racialized artists to which theatres, dance and opera companies, film/TV casting professionals, indie directors/producers, schools, community and social service nonprofits, government agencies, media outlets, ad agencies, and more may access as subscribers.

Vancouver International Black Film Festival showcases local and international Black films while creating a space to debate major cultural, social and socio-economic issues. The VIBFF is dedicated to giving unique voices in cinema the opportunity to present audiences with new ways of looking at the world.

Hogan’s Alley Society: Hogan’s Alley was the unofficial name for a T-shaped intersection at the southwestern edge of Strathcona that formed the nucleus of Vancouver’s first concentrated Black community. The Hogan’s Alley Society’s (HAS) mission is to advance the social, political, economic and cultural well-being of people of African descent (Black people) through the delivery of inclusive housing, built spaces, and culturally informed programming and operations.

Massy Books: For the month of February (and every other month of the year), Massy Books celebrates Black excellence in history, literature, and the arts. Check out their shelves and window display to explore, learn and enjoy some of the brilliant works written by Black authors, scholars, educators and artists. Or, browse their online shop and list here.

The New African Diaspora in Vancouver: Migration, Exclusion and Belonging by Gillian Crease documents the experiences of immigrants from countries in sub-Saharan Africa on Canada’s west coast.

The British Columbia Black History Awareness Society (BCBHAS) celebrates the achievements of Black people in British Columbia by creating an awareness of the history of Blacks in B.C., stimulating interest in the contributions of persons of African ancestry to B.C. and Canada today, and celebrating historical and contemporary achievements in the arts, education, government, sports, science etc.

Black-owned Business Directory: The Black Business Association of BC maintains a database of Black-owned businesses, showcasing restaurants, stores and a variety of businesses founded by Black entrepreneurs.

Events

The BC Black History Awareness Society is hosting various events across the Vancouver and Victoria areas throughout February. Visit their website for details.

Black History Month at VIFF Centre features two new series of films celebrating Black film, artists and creators: A New Chapter and Celebrating Black Futures. Visit VIFF online to view the full schedule of films showing in Vancouver throughout February.

Black History Month at the Pacific Arts Market in Vancouver showcases the talent of Black artists local to British Columbia. Visit Pacific Arts Market’s Eventbrite for a calendar of events throughout February.

Black History Month in Surrey: The City of Surrey plays host to a huge variety of events throughout February, including movies and readings at Surrey Libraries, speaker series hosted by the Museum of Surrey, and exhibitions featuring the work of Black artists from the Lower Mainland. Visit the City of Surrey’s website for more details.

The Kaiser Atrium in UBC hosts a pop-up museum throughout February exploring Black history in areas such as engineering, nursing and planning. Enjoy videos focusing on anti-racism in STEM, representation in STEM and personal stories.

Black in BC: Celebrating Black Excellence: The Surrey Art Gallery & Surrey Civic Theatres is hosting a free event with inspirational speakers, food, music, and dance – bringing over 200 people together to celebrate the talent, cultures, and achievements of Black communities in Canada. Feb. 1, 2024, 3 pm.

The Black History Month Film Screening brings Martine Chartrand’s animated short Black Soul and Michèle Stephenson’s documentary Stateless to the Norm Theatre in UBC. Tickets are free. Feb. 1, 2024, 6 pm.

Acacia’s Black Parade at The Birdhouse in Vancouver showcases the extraordinary talents of Black drag & burlesque performers, and a lineup of DJs from Level Up, Afroqueer and Made By We. Feb. 2, 2024, door at 9 pm.

Visible Drag Brunch at Good Co. Granville in Vancouver celebrates Black History Month with host Kendall Gender and an all-Black cast featuring 10 Vancouver Drag icons. Feb. 3, 2024, at noon.

Songs of Freedom is a celebration of Black music and culture at Christ Church Cathedral featuring special guests Jim Byrnes, The Sojourners, Jillian Christmas, and hosts Marcus Mosely and the Marcus Mosely Ensemble. Feb. 3, 2024, at 7:30 pm.

Reel Causes: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: Reel Causes and the Vancouver Black and Indigenous Creative Association present a preview of Rick DuPree’s forthcoming documentary, Seattle Black Panthers Fight For Justice & Freedom, at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver. DuPree and Elmer Dixon are joined for a conversation by moderators Natasha Tony and Tinthi Tembo that further explores the film and Dixon’s story in his memoir, Die Standing: From Black Panther Party Revolutionary to Global Diversity Consultant. Feb. 6, 2024, at 6 pm.

Sara Gómez Documentary Shorts: In celebration of Black History Month, The Cinematheque in Vancouver is partnering with the Vulnerable Media Lab and the Department of Latin American Studies at UBC to present an evening of newly restored films by Sara Gómez, including three short documentaries and her narrative feature One Way or Another. The evening will begin with an introduction by Arturo Victoriano and Crystal Webster, both faculty at UBC. Feb. 8, 2024, 6:30 pm.

Vancouver Public Library celebrates Black History Month for families and children with guests including Canadian soul singer Dawn Pemberton, cultural storyteller Vanessa Richards, cultural drummer and musician Maurice Earle. Feb. 10, 2024, at 10 am.

Black Educator Panel: Drawing from their personal and professional lived experiences, panelists will focus on the actions needed to build anti-racist cultures in education communities. They will invite attendees to challenge conscious and unconscious anti-Black biases and take action to make the system more accountable and inclusive for all. At UBC Robson Square in Vancouver. Feb. 10, 2024, 2:30 pm.

MOA Unmasked: Afrofuturism and the Black Speculative Arts Movement offers a behind-the-scenes tour of a collaborative creative arts and science project with Ethọ́s Lab creative directors Jazz Groden-Gilchrist and Olúwáṣọlá Kẹ́hìndé Olówó-Aké (MDes 2021), and MOA Curator Nuno Porto. Feb. 15, 2024, at 7 pm and Feb 16, 2024, at 4:30 pm.

Surrey Art Gallery x Black Arts Centre (BLAC): In celebration of Black History Month, join BLAC at the Surrey Art Gallery for a free film screening of School Daze, written and directed by Spike Lee. Feb. 21, 2024, at 5:30 pm.

SOFAR Sounds (Songs From A Room) Black History Month Show: As with all of SOFAR’s one-of-a-kind concerts, details regarding this Commercial-Drive-area event’s precise venue and lineup will be revealed only 36 hours before showtime. Feb. 22, 2024, 7:30 pm.

Black History Month Celebration at Coquitlam Heritage includes food, arts and crafts, Black History books from the Coquitlam Public Library, a display of Black historical achievements and excellence and an interactive storytelling event. Feb. 24, 2024, at noon.

Pages on Stage: A Black Storytelling Event celebrates queer Black history in Vancouver. Taking place at the Vancouver Public Library and presented in partnership with QMUNITY, Pages on Stage offers audiences a chance to hear storytellers who explore the nuances of the Black queer experience. Feb. 24, 2024, at 1 pm.

BHM 2024: Short Film Screenings: As part of The NFB in Libraries Black History Month programming, the Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch is offering free screenings of film compilations in February: Step by Step (47-minute compilation of short films for youth) featuring Black Soul, Mind Me Good Now!, Joe, The Magic Lion, The Cora Player and Christopher Changes His Name; and On the Rise (65-minute short-film compilation for adults) featuring Rita Shelton Deverell: Queen Bee, Ice Breakers, Oscar, MacPherson, The Colour of Beauty, Molly Movie and The Big Reset – Governance. Feb. 24, 2024 at 1 pm.

The Underground Comedy Railroad, Canada’s first all-Black comedy tour, brings Daniel Woodrow, Keesha Brownie, Rodney Ramsey, Tamara Shevon and special guests to Vancouver for a pair of shows on Feb. 24, 2024, at 7 and 9 pm.

UBC's Black History Month & Culture Celebration at the Wise Hall in Vancouver is an exploration of the history of overlooked Black academics, scholars, inventors, artists and activists, including a fashion show, local Black poets, live music and East African cuisine. Feb. 29, 2024, at 6 pm.