30 years of Black History Month: TMU celebrates all February

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada. In February 1996, Canada officially celebrated this month-long event for the first time. Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine, Canada’s first Black woman elected to parliament, introduced the motion in 1995.

Every February, we celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black communities across Canada. It’s also a time to reflect on the challenges and barriers Black Canadians continue to face.

This year’s theme is 30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries. It celebrates 30 years of recognizing Black Canadian leaders, their innovations and resilience.

Throughout February, TMU is hosting events and programs where you can learn about Black Canadians who shaped our history and continue to inspire future generations.

Here’s how you can join the celebration on campus.

The 2026 Bold, Beautiful & Brilliant Speaking Engagement

TMU Athletics and Recreation kicks off Black History Month with the third annual Bold, Beautiful & Brilliant keynote. Entrepreneur and sports business leader Mark Harrison will speak on February 2 at noon.

In his talk, From Sports Marketing to Game-Changing: Building Your Legacy Now, Harrison will share how sports can be used to promote leadership, equity and long-term lasting change. The event also supports the Black Talent Initiative, a non-profit organization co-founded by Harrison that advances Black talent in sport and business.

The keynote  (external link) runs from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. in the Jet Ice Lounge and is open to students, staff and faculty.

Black Excellence Mixer

Join the Black Excellence Committee for its seventh annual Black Excellence Mixer on February 26 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. This event brings together Black students, faculty, staff and alumni for connection and community.

With the theme “the village,” the mixer creates space for people of all ages to share stories and celebrate together through food, music and activities. The event focuses on building relationships, mentorship, and support across campus.

The mixer will take place on the eighth floor of the Student Learning Centre (SLC) and will include light refreshments, prayer rooms and takeout containers for those observing Ramadan.

Black students, faculty, staff and alumni can  (google form) register here (external link) .

Viola Desmond Awards 

The Viola Desmond Awards and Bursary ceremony returns on February 19. It recognizes Black women and gender-diverse community members who show leadership at TMU.

The awards celebrate people who strengthen academic and community spaces at TMU. They honor Viola Desmond’s legacy while supporting Black leadership through recognition and financial awards.

Tickets are limited and filling up fast.

Rooted and Rising: Becoming an Afrocentric Scholar

Part of the Rooted and Rising workshop series, Becoming an Afrocentric Scholar invites Black graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to reflect on their research through an Afrocentric lens. It runs on February 24 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

The session puts Black intellectual traditions at the centre. Participants will identify their influences and clarify who they’re writing for. Through small-group talks and discussions, scholars will explore how their work can create positive, lasting change.

The Black Scholarship Institute hosts this series with the Yeates School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, the Graduate Leadership Institute, and GRAD Thriving-in-Action. Black-identifying TMU graduate students and postdocs from all programs are welcome!

Mandela The Lawyer, Reconsidered: Law at the Crossroads of Justice and Oppression

Siyabulela Mandela will give a keynote address on February 25 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. He’ll examine Nelson Mandela not just as a global leader, but as a lawyer working within an unfair legal system.

The talk will explore how law can be both a tool of control and a way to fight back. It raises questions about justice and fairness in unequal societies. A panel discussion and Q&A will follow.

The International Law and Global Justice Initiative and the Black Law Students’ Association at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law are hosting this event.

Black Aces: Essential Stories from Hockey’s Black Trailblazers

Based on the book Black Aces: Essential Stories from Hockey's Black Trailblazers (external link) , this event highlights the stories of Black players who shaped hockey.

Sports journalist Julian McKenzie shares stories that go beyond the rink. He explores identity, strength, and the personal journeys behind key moments in hockey history. The conversation also looks ahead to emerging voices shaping the sport today.

Black Studies Libraries tour

Toronto Metropolitan Libraries is hosting a Black Studies Libraries Tour on February 25 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Library experts will guide you through key resources and spaces.

The tour includes an overview of the Black Studies Libraries Guide, which highlights important scholarly and community resources. You'll see a presentation on data and mapping tools for Black Studies, visit the virtual reality Immersion Studio to learn how Black Studies instructors use it and end at TMU's Archives and Special Collections to view unique materials.

The tour starts at LIB 272A. All TMU students, staff and faculty are welcome.

Black Histories Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon

Join TMU Libraries for a Black Histories Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon on February 26 from noon to 3 p.m. 

Learn to edit Wikipedia and help improve coverage of Black histories online.

The event begins with a keynote by Sam Tecle, a Black and Diaspora Studies scholar at TMU. He'll explore how Toronto hip hop artists use music to document their experiences and resist being silenced. Optional training for beginners follows, then collective editing begins.

Drop in anytime. Lunch will be provided, and participants can win gift cards to A Different Booklist. The event takes place in the Library Collaboratory (LIB 387) and is open to the public.