The theme this year’s for Black History Month in Canada is February and Forever: Celebrating Black History Today and Every Day and in the US, it’s Black Health and Wellness. In honour of this, we have listed resources for taking action towards inclusion, celebration, and wellness as well as compiled some suggestions for learning about, amplifying, and celebrating Black history and culture.
We are eager and curious to know what you are doing/reading for February (and forever). Tweet us @BCcampus to share your thoughts and recommendations for further learning.
Books:
- An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
- Antiracism and Universal Design for Learning: Building Expressways to Success by Andratesha Fritzgerald
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Broken Earth Trilogy by N. K. Jemisin
- Equity By Design by Mirko Chardin and Katie Novak
- Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
- Finna by Nate Marshall
- Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
- Home and Exile by Chinua Achebe
- Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
- How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- Langston Hughes by Shantel Ivits
- Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
- Passing by Nella Larsen
- Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
- Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
- The Equity Myth: Racialization and Indigeneity at Canadian Universities by Frances Henry, Enaski Dua, Carl E. James, Audrey Kobayashi, Peter Li, Howard Ramos, and Malinda S. Smith
- The Skin We’re In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power by Desmond Cole
- The Story of Viola Desmond by Shantel Ivits
- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
- The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin
- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
- They Said This Would be Fun by Eternity Martis
- Until We Are Free: Reflections on Black Lives Matter Canada by Rodney Diverlus, Sandy Hutson, and Syrus Marcus Ware
- We Are Never Meeting in Real Life by Samantha Irby
- Where We Stand: Class Matters by bell hooks
- Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood
- Women, Race & Class by Angela Davis
Events/Webinars:
- “Dynamic Diasporas” Vancouver Mural Fest: Winter Arts Fest (in person and virtual)
- A Conversation with Cornel West “Being a Hope Amid Crisis”
- Black History and Heritage Day (in person)
- Black History Month Guided Tour at Ross Bay Cemetery (in person)
- CCDI Webinar: Addressing anti-Black Racism in the Workplace – Fireside Chat
- CCDI Webinar: Roundtable on the Topic of Black Lives Matter in the Workplace
- Celebrate The Power and Joy of Music with Dawn Pemberton and Louise Rose (in person and virtual)
- History of anti-Black Racism in Canadian Schools and Universities
- Hope Meets Action Exhibition at the Royal BC Museum
- Institutionalized Anti-Black Linguistic Discrimination
Films/TV/Music:
- Black History is American History
- Colin in Black & White
- High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America
- Industry Games by Chika
- Netflix: Black Lives Matter Genre
- Vince Carter: Legacy
Health and Wellness:
- Alex Elle
- Ask Dr. Jess
- Denise Francis
- Dora Kamau
- Hey Fran Hey
- Jessica in the Kitchen
- Kelsey Ellis
- Tabitha Brown
Podcasts:
- Good Ancestor
- Sandy & Nora Talk Politics
- Snap Judgment: The Secret Adventures of Black People
- The Friend Zone
- The Secret Lives of Black Women
- The Sugar Jar
Radio Show:
For the month of February, Lunchable Learning hosts, Leva Lee and Helena Prins will be sharing co-hosting duties with colleague Olaolu Adeleye. The February program will celebrate Black History Month (BHM) by amplifying the voices of Black educators within B.C. post-secondary institutions. These shows will capture the lived experiences of our guests while shining a light on their work, programs, and contributions to the B.C. education sector.
Focusing on both the US and Canadian themes for BHM, the show will offer a specific focus on health, wellness, and the celebration of Black culture as well as a reflection on their current practices and approaches toward anti-racism.
Our playlists for the month will feature a variety of Black artists.
Resources:
- 8 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Black History Month at Work
- Abolitionist Teaching Network
- African Arts & Cultural Centre: A hub for people of African Descent
- Anti-Racism & Equity Resources: One Love Consulting
- BCTF Social Justice Section on Racism
- Being Black in Canada: CBC News
- Black History in Canada (Summary): The Canadian Encyclopedia
- Black History in Canada: Library and Archives Canada
- Black History in Two Minutes (or So)
- Black History Month Calendar: Tamisha Williams Consulting
- Book Club Facilitation Guide: How to Be an Antiracist: BCcampus
- Celebrate Black History Month By Taking Action
- Embrace Race
- Resources for Gender Justice Advocates to Challenge Anti-Black Racism: Possibility Seeds
- Systemic Racism is Real: Brave New Films
- The Black Experience: Voices into Action
- The History on Black History Month: BC Black History Awareness Society
- Timeline – Black History: The Canadian Encyclopedia
- United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (2015 – 2024)
- Voices into Action: Seeds of Division: Rwanda
The featured image for this post (viewable in the BCcampus News section at the bottom of our homepage) is by Christina Morillo from Pexels