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“You cannot paint white on white, black on black.  

Each needs the other to be. “

African proverb

In February 2020, as every year, Radio-Canada marks Black History Month with a varied program on all platforms.
This site includes exclusive content and recent archives on the realities facing our black fellow citizens. Learn more

Portraits of Black Canadians

Find out more about black Canadians who contributed to the building of Canada and who are making their mark every day. From our archives Danger, hardship, heroism and tragedy. All are features of black immigration to Canada in the nineteenth century. The story of black immigration to Canada began 400 years ago with the arrival of the French at Port Royal. John Graves Simcoe, the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, signed

About Black History Month

The first Black person in Canada, Mathieu Da Costa, arrived on the country’s East Coast in 1605. He’d sailed with Samuel de Champlain, hired as a valued interpreter. But for the many Blacks who arrived after him, the experience was very different. Black history in North America, unlike “White” history, must take into account the hundreds of thousands of Africans who were brought to this continent against their will. The

Harry Jerome will be honoured–again–in Vancouver

Once upon a time–back in the early years of the turbulent 1960s–Harry Jerome was one of the most famous Canadians on the planet. Jerome was “The World’s Fastest Human,” an unofficial title bestowed by pundits and sportswriters that went to the holder of the fastest time of the 100-metre dash. In fact, at one point, Jerome not only held the 100-metre title but the 100-yard title as well. At the

A Heritage Minute honours jazz legend and piano virtuoso Oscar Peterson

Historica Canada has released its latest Heritage Minute video. It honours jazz legend and piano virtuoso Oscar Peterson, chronicling his rise from Montreal’s working-class Little Burgundy neighbourhood to world renown. WATCH: Thompson Egbo-Egbo play the role of Oscar Peterson: Peterson’s daughter Céline Peterson, a producer at the Kensington Market Jazz Festival in Toronto, believes her father would be thrilled and especially proud of seeing his story in a Heritage Minute.

As a Black woman from B.C.’s past is honoured, some say it’s not enough

A prominent figure in British Columbia’s Black history will have a street named in her honour in Vancouver–the first ever named after a Black woman in the city’s history. Vancouver City Council made the announcement Wednesday, “Nora Hendrix Way” will be part of the new St. Paul’s Hospital precinct, where a number of new streets are being built and near where the Black neighbourhood of Hogan’s Alley once thrived. It’s

Quebec to probe wrongful arrest and detention of Mamadi III Fara Camara

Quebec’s, public security minister has announced a formal investigation into how and why a PhD candidate from Guinea was arrested, charged with attempted murder and then kept in detention for six nights before being told at a bail hearing that he was free to go. In a statement Tuesday, Geneviève Guilbault said the inquiry, set to begin Feb. 22, will be charged with “allowing us to better understand events, identify

A Montreal man wrongly arrested is exonerated after spending six days in jail

A PhD student from Guinea who lives and works in Montreal escaped a legal noose that was on the verge of strangling him, his family and his friends for over a week last Friday–ever since he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and got arrested and went to jail for something he vehemently denied he had anything to do with. At a press conference, Montreal Police Chief

Free activities for Black History Month offered by Montreal arts venue

Montreal’s performing arts venue, Place des Arts, is hosting several free activities for Black History Month in Canada this February 2021. This is part of a raft of activities organized by The Round Table on Black History Month. On February 11, a discussion on the cultural vitality of Black communities will be held. Panelists will be invited to discuss action that can be taken on equity and inclusion. Among them

Cineplex offers curated list of films to elevate Black history and artists

Cineplex announced that throughout the month of February, it is donating $1 from every transaction from its curated Black History Month collection to The Black Academy, an organization determined to elevate and inspire Black talent across Canada. 🙌🏾🍿 https://t.co/sLXeVY1Cr2 — Black is Now Canada (@BlackisNowCA) February 2, 2021 The Black History Month collection consists of over 100 titles, including Hidden Figures, Selma, 42, Race, Get Out, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,

B.C. tribunal rules for corrections officer targeted for being Black

The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal has ordered the province to pay a former corrections officer nearly $1 million in compensation for physical attacks and racial slurs he was subjected to on the job–for being Black. Levan Francis, who ended a 15-year career with B.C. Corrections in 2013, filed a complaint about his treatment at the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam in 2012 and has been fighting the

A variety of activities unveiled for Black History Month

A non-profit in the province of Quebec is celebrating three decades of “highlighting the journeys and success of Black communities, to build bridges with others.” The Round Table on Black History Month has unveiled a broad range of activities which will take place throughout the month of February 2021.  Because of the pandemic, the public will be invited to get to know Black culture in all its forms online. There

Prime minister speaks of ‘systemic racism’ in kick-off of Black History Month

February is Black History Month in Canada, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement inviting all Canadians to honour the legacy of Black Canadians and to reflect on their contributions to the country.  “Black people have helped shape our history and collective identity, and stood proud as leaders in communities across the country,” said Trudeau in a statement. “Despite all this, systemic anti-Black racism still exists in Canada, and

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Luc Simard – Director of Diversity and Relations. Radio-Canada

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Your opinion on Black History Month

Black History Month is only celebrated in North America and in the UK. Do you think it should be celebrated all over the world?

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