To mark Black History Month, host Asha Tomlinson examines various aspects of the black experience in this country

Wrestler Cleopas Ncube sets his sights on Rio
Cleopas Ncube was born in Zimbabwe. His family left Africa because of the political situation and moved to Canada when Ncube was a child. He credits much of his success to his mother who he describes as an endless fountain of hope.

Black history month: Senator Anne C. Cools
In this month marking black history in Canada, we speak with Canadian Senator Anne C. Cools.
Senator Cools was the first black person to become a Canadian senator, and the first black woman senator in North America. These are just two of the many firsts and other leading roles she has taken on in her life.

Black History Month: Remembering Canadian civil rights icon Viola Desmond
Sister Wanda Robson picked up fight for justice more than 6 decades later By Asha Tomlinson, CBC News Wanda Robson becomes very emotional when she thinks about what her sister — Canadian civil rights icon Viola Desmond — would tell her if she were alive today. Viola would say: “I’m so proud of you and I love you very much. I’m so happy that you thought enough of me to clear my

Photo reminds us of Canada’s first all-black battalion
CBC’s Colleen Jones with No. 2 Construction Battalion’s unique place in Canadian history

From Black Action Defense to Black Lives Matter TO: decades apart but demands are the same
Black activists from 30 years ago and the present say not much has changed in Toronto By Asha Tomlinson, CBC News Posted: Feb 06, 2016 5:00 AM ET Last Updated: Feb 06, 2016 1:34 PM ET “Injustice Must End.” Those were the words written on a sign held by a Torontonian during a protest back in the 1980s. It was a response to a growing list of young black men shot dead by police

Black History Month: Lawrence Hill, George Elliott Clarke pick young black authors to watch
In 1996, Black History Month was celebrated by the government of Canada for the first time. Cabinet member Jean Augustine, the first black woman to be elected to Canadian Parliament, led the charge, introducing a motion in December 1995 to formally recognize the month-long celebration. Her motion was passed unanimously. To celebrate the 20th anniversary, we’ve asked some of Canada’s finest writers to shine the spotlight on young black authors

CBC FORUM Your ideas on how to teach black history beyond Black History Month
Not everyone agrees with maintaining the month-long February tradition By Haydn Watters, CBC News February is Black History Month, a time to reflect, share and learn about the stories, experiences and accomplishments of Canada’s black community. That means many educators will include the topic in their lesson plans. Is Black History Month limiting the teaching of black history? Black History Month: Remembering Canadian civil rights icon Viola Desmond A cross-country guide to Black History Month

Diversity on stage good for all: opera star Mark S. Doss
Racism “is a barrier. It’s a difficulty. It’s something that has to be broken down. And, once it’s broken down, it’s much more beneficial to all of society,” says Mark S. Doss, a Grammy-award-winning opera singer based in Toronto. Doss has performed in 87 different roles in more than 60 opera houses around the world. Opera singer Mark S. Doss says some operas lend themselves to ‘updating’ and more diversity in

Black History Month – Military service
One of the earliest known commemorative plaques honouring black Canadians is that of a tablet erected at the Ontario Legislative Building in Toronto, Ontario, in memory of those who served with the No. 2 Construction Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, during the Great War. However there had been several black military formations even before that. Captain Runchey’s Company of Coloured Men was one of the first black regiments consisting of both