Each February, the City of Toronto is proud to produce and support events and exhibits during Black History Month, inviting the public to explore and celebrate the heritage, traditions and culture of Black Canadians.
In 1979, Toronto became the first municipality in Canada to proclaim Black History Month through the efforts of many individuals and organizations such as the Ontario Black History Society.
Black History Month is an opportunity for the City of Toronto to recognize the contributions that Black Canadians make to the life of Toronto in such areas as education, medicine, art, culture, public service, economic development, politics and human rights.
The City annually marks Black History Month and works continually throughout the year on the goals defined by the Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism, which was endorsed by City Council in 2017.
Events
Toronto Public Library
Browse upcoming events 
at numerous library branches in celebration of Black History Month, including year-round. Some events require advanced registration.
Toronto History Museums
Browse upcoming events in celebration of Black History Month, many which are free.
Gathering at the Table: A Chef-in-Residence Celebration
February 21 at 6 p.m.
Join a thoughtfully curated dinner honouring the flavours of the African Diaspora. Purchase tickets.
Hymns to Freedom
February 1 at 2 p.m.
A concert of hope and unity orchestrated by Corey Butler featuring singer/actress Jackie Richardson. Purchase tickets .
Freedom Friday: A Gospel Choir Workshop Experience
February 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the spirit of freedom through music. Purchase tickets.
Toronto Archives
Black History Month Showcase
February 5, 5 to 10 p.m.
Join the Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA) for its showcase of Toronto’s premium soul and R&B artists. Register for free.
- 5 to 6 p.m. Celebrity chef, author and artist Roger Mooking in conversation with CBMA Executive Director and Co-Founder, Phil Vassell.
- 6 to 10 p.m. R&B and soul performance showcase featuring veteran Black Canadian musicians Jully Black, Tanika Charles, Dru, formerly of In Essence, Liberty Silver and DJ Carl Allen.
Black History in Verse
February 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a free night of poetry featuring Toronto Poet Laureate Lillian Allen and Toronto Youth Poet Laureate Shahaddah Jack joined by a dozen guest poets who will read, recite and rejoice.
Exploring the City
Self-guided Tours
- Explore this stretch of Eglinton Street West from Bathurst Street to Dufferin Street – home to Little Jamaica – which has developed quickly over the past century and continues to transform. View the Eglinton West Growth and Transformation tour.
- Take in the arts and landmarks of Oakwood Village, a neighbourhood just south of Little Jamaica and known for its Caribbean, Portuguese and Italian communities. View the Arts in Oakwood tour.
Public Art, Recreation Facilities & Parks Honouring Black Figures
- Angela James Arena
- Dr. Daniel Hill Park
- Herbert H. Carnegie Centennial Centre
- Hubbard Park
- Jean Augustine Park
- Jimmy Wisdom mural by Adrian Hayles
- Joshua Glover Park & sculpture Step Forward into History by Quentin Vercetty
- Len Braithwaite Park
- Michaëlle Jean painting by Leyland Adams
- Randy Padmore Park
- Reggae Lane mural by Adrian Hayles depicting local and legendary reggae artists
- Rita Cox Park
- Stanley G. Grizzle Park
- Viola Desmond Park
History & Literature
Online Exhibits
Explore Caribbean Connection: One Man’s Crusade, an exhibit looking at Donald Moore, a community leader and civil rights activist who fought to change Canada’s exclusionary immigration laws.
Online Museum Shop
Explore unique items from the Museum shop that celebrate Black culture and significant Black figures in history.
Resources
See milestones in Canadian Black history.
Discover history through archival evidence of Toronto’s Black population in the City Archives.
Learn about Dr. Rita Cox and the Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection at Toronto Public Library.
Deepen your understanding of the impacts of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and slavery in Toronto and Canada.
Bookshelf
Browse lists of fiction and non-fiction ebooks available through the Toronto Public Library on OverDrive:
- Stories about Black lives for kids
- Stories about Black lives for teens
- Black Lives Matter for adults
YouTube Playlists
Watch videos created by Black artists for Toronto History Museums.
Watch Black firefighters speak candidly about Black History Month and their experiences in the Toronto Fire Services.
Social Media
Social media users can follow the following City accounts for images and stories of significant Black figures to celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth:
