Every February, Canadians participate in Black History Month events to celebrate the heritage, traditions, and culture of Black people in Canada. This year, the theme for Black History Month is “Ours To Tell”, which represents both an opportunity for Black Canadians to share their own stories, as well as a commitment to learning more about the stories Black communities in Canada have to tell us about their histories, successes, and sacrifices.

As a community-based feminist organization, which operates within an anti-racist, anti-oppression framework, Black History Month is an opportunity for us to recommit to listening and sharing the stories of Black Canadians. At Nellie’s, we are dedicated to creating social change through education and advocacy to achieve social justice for all women and their children.

This year at Nellie’s, we kicked off our own Black History Month celebrations with a reading from a young Black woman named Anora, who shared a poem called “The Silent Scream of a Young Black Woman”, which she wrote when she was 16. Nellie’s amazing cooks — Sharmone, Sandra and Nichola — also joined the discussion to talk about the shelter’s menu for the month of February. Throughout the month, they will cook dishes from Africa and the Caribbean, and share stories and discussions about the recipes.

We encourage all Canadians to learn more about Black communities in Canada, and how their stories continue to help shape our country’s history. Here are a few ways you can do this:

• Educate yourself about the history of Black communities in Canada: Brush up on your history with these overviews on significant events in Black history in Canada, noteworthy figures in Black Canadian history, and the legacy and impact of organizations led by Black women in Canada.
• Learn about the lives of Black Canadians today: The CBC website Being Black in Canada highlights the stories and experiences of Black Canadians all year round. One of their newest series is called “Black Changemakers”, which recognizes individuals who are creating positive changes in their community, from creators and community organizers, to students and entrepreneurs.
• Read: One of the best ways to immerse yourself in Black stories is to read them. The Toronto Public Library shared an excellent list of Black Canadian authors to discover, and we also love CBC Books’ list of six Black Canadian writers to watch in 2023.
• Watch: Celebrate Canadian perspectives from Black filmmakers with this extensive collection of films and documentaries from the National Film Board of Canada.
• Support: Volunteer with local Black-led charities and support local Black artists and businesses.
• Share: Help to raise awareness around Black History Month with the hashtags #BlackHistoryMonth, #BHM, or #BlackExcellence on social media.