February is Black History Month

February 5, 2022

During Black History Month, people in Canada honour contributions that Black people have made, and continue to make, in all sectors of society. It is about celebrating resilience, innovation, and determination to work towards a more equitable, inclusive and diverse Canada – a Canada in which everyone has every opportunity to flourish.

The 2022 Canadian theme for Black History Month is February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day.

The City of Victoria officially proclaimed Black History Month on January 27, 2022. The proclamation aligns with the City establishing the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD) Advisory Committee last year.

The IDPAD Advisory Committee is working to acknowledge and recognize contributions of Black Victorians and support equitable outcomes. Learn more. 

Noteworthy Historical Figures

The Government of Canada is profiling eight notable Black Canadians on its website who have helped shape Canadian heritage and identity, and who have made and continue to make enormous contributions to the well-being and prosperity of our country. 

Councillor Sharmarke Dubow is among those featured for Black History Month. A native of Somalia, he fled civil war at the age of eight and spent 20 years as a refugee seeking safe haven in East and North Africa until Canada offered him a home in 2012. Councillor Dubow is the City's first Black councillor in more than 150 years. Learn more. 

Black History Month - Local Events 

For more than 25 years, the BC Black History Awareness Society has hosted a Black History Month program.

This year’s virtual and in-person events recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of historical and contemporary people of African descent: 

  • Saturday, February 5 – History of Anti-Black Racism in Canadian Schools and Universities with Dr. June Francis
  • Saturday, February 12 – Black History and Heritage Day at the Royal BC Museum
  • Wednesday, February 16 – Being a Hope Amid Crisis with Dr. Cornel West
  • Monday, February 21 – Dawn Pemberton and Louise Rose musical performance at the Belfry
  • February 25 - 27 – Dynamic Diasporas Vancouver Mural Fest
  • Sunday, February 27 – Black History Month Guided Tour at Ross Bay Cemetery

To register for any of these events, please visit:  bcblackhistory.ca.

Black History Month - Virtual Celebration 

The Government of Canada invites you to tune in to the Black History Month Virtual Celebration Facebook Live event on Thursday, February 17 at 4 p.m. Pacific Time, featuring performances, tributes, interviews and more.