By Marc Montgomery It was an important moment, a breakthrough moment, in hockey history. It was however a fleeting and not well-known moment. Because of its “milestone” nature, it deserves more recognition. In 1970 for the first time in Canadian university hockey, the forward line were all black. Bob Dawson was one of those three players on the St Mary’s University team in Halifax Nova Scotia Bob Dawson is a
Soul on Ice: Black history in the NHL, documentary
February 9, 2017
By Carmel Kilkenny | ‘Soul on Ice: Past, Present and Future’ is the documentary that was a labour of love for filmmaker Damon Kwame Mason. The 46 year-old, who goes by his middle name, played hockey for two years while growing in Toronto and has a passion for the sport, like a lot of Canadians. But as a young black player, he says he didn’t really understand the game. Mason
Bringing Canadian black history and experience to schoolkids across Canada
February 8, 2017
By Marc Montgomery | It began several years ago as a non-profit project to provide access to the arts for underprivileged youth, called Overture with the Arts. It was created by Akilah Newton, who later added an important aspect in connection with Black History Month. That was to bring in her very talented twin brother Omari. Omari Newton is an actor with an impressive record of TV and film appearances. He
Black Diamond Ball: a gala celebration of the African-Canadian community
February 8, 2017
The Black Diamond Ball had its inaugural event last February. This year, the soiree on the last weekend of February, Saturday the 25th, is presented again by TD & ArtXperiential Projects.
Canadian blogger Casey Palmer on black experience stories.
February 6, 2017
By day, Casey Palmer works in the Ontario Public Service, but by night, he’s become a popular blogger reflecting on a number of issues of daily life.
Denial of anti-black experiences are ‘suffocating,’ says advocate
February 6, 2017
By Lynn Desjardins | When people talk about being subjected to anti-black racism, their friends or acquaintances will often downplay it, says Anthony Morgan, a lawyer and a community advocate. He says being black in Canada can sometime be suffocating. ‘Silencing a lot of African-Canadians’ “Often the experience of black people isn’t recognized when it comes to suffering, anti-black racism, issues of poverty. So, while we have different laws and
Toronto charity set to celebrate Black History Month
February 1, 2017
By Lynn Desjardins | Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre is set to kick off two weekends of activities in what it bills as Toronto’s longest-running celebration of Black History Month. This is the 22nd edition of the Kuumba festival and it will focus on “the current political climate through workshops, panel discussions, comedy, music, film and more.” Community activist and author Desmond Cole will moderate discussions on “some of the most pressing issues
Forgotten identity: Alberta black history not taught in schools
February 1, 2017
Bashir Mohamed came into the world stateless. He was born in Kenya in 1994 as a Somali refugee. At the time, Somalia’s central government had collapsed and Kenya did not recognize those born there as citizens, so he was without citizenship.
Windsor woman rejects ‘African-American’ label
February 1, 2017
Linda McCurdy says Canadians have much to learn about our country’s lengthy black history By Peter Duck, CBC News A black woman says people in Windsor should rethink the term they use when referring to people such as herself. Linda McCurdy’s ancestors escaped from slavery in the United States and arrived in Amherstburg 185 years ago. “I’ve been here long enough not to have to identify with some place else.”– Linda McCurdy
Linda McCurdy on Black History Month
February 1, 2017
On the first day of Black History Month, we spoke to local lawyer and activist Linda McCurdy.
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