February is Black History Month

February is Black History Month

It is the month in which we bear witness to the progress, richness and diversity of African-Canadian achievement.

During the 1920’s an African American named Carter G. Woodson created and promoted Negro History Week. This period in February was chosen because it included the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976 the month-long celebration was implemented, and is a time for us all to reflect on both the history and teachings of African-Americans and African-Canadians whose contributions are still too-little known. Below you will find some helpful links about Black History Month.

Ontario Black History Society
The Society was founded in 1978 as a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion and study of Black history and heritage.

Dalhousie University African Heritage Month Page
An excellent site with many superb links..

African Nova Scotian History
The story of Black Nova Scotians is a rich tapestry. It’s a story of many diverse groups – Loyalists, Maroons, Caribbeans, Refugees and others – sewn together through a common African ancestry and the search for a better life in Nova Scotia.

British Columbia Black History Awareness Society
Learn about Archy Lee and other early British Columbia settlers.

Share Online
Share is Canada’s largest ethnic newspaper.

Mary Ann Shadd picture via Wikipedia