Black History Month exists to remind us all of the rich contributions within our society from people of African and Caribbean decent, and of their ongoing struggle for equity and social justice. Teachers have the opportunity to engage their students, not only during this month but throughout the school year, on recognizing the strengths and resiliency of communities that historically have been marginalized, as well examining issues of racism and the impact of discrimination on these communities.
It was the Canadian Negro Women’s Association that introduced the celebration of Black History Month to Toronto in the 1950’s. This black Canadian community initiative was adopted by the Ontario government in 1979, thanks to its championing by the Ontario Black History Society. In 1995, the House of Commons declared a national Black History Month, which went into effect in 1996.
This year’s artist is Destinie Adelakun.
The images in this year’s poster spans generations and continents to tie the past, present, and future. It features traditional West African folklore, imagery, and concepts with curriculum based African Canadian history and the importance of looking to the future. #FutureGriot is a hashtag that captures the reality that all Black students will ascend from their present experience of being learners to one day being the keepers of history and knowledge which can be shared through the long-kept practice of oral storytelling. As the title makes clear, every journey that Black Canadians are on, means we are never alone as our ancestors are always with us.