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Ji8福利网 Celebrates Black History Month 2024
February is Black History Month and is acknowledged widely as a month devoted to the celebration of Black stories, contributions and achievements. "During Black History Month, people in Canada celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada a culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous country" (Government of Canada). As a Catholic community, we are called to live in solidarity. Solidarity requires that we learn from, and about our families in Christ. We invite you to explore the following resources to deepen your understanding of the contributions of Black Canadians both past and present.
Why a Black History Month?
"The celebration of Black History Month is an attempt to have the achievements of Black people recognized and told. We need a Black History Month in order to help us to arrive at an understanding of ourselves as Canadians in the most accurate and complete socio-historical context that we can produce. As a nation with such diversity, all histories need to be known, all voices need to be expressed. Black history provides the binary opposite to all traditional histories. One needs traditional history to engender a common culture; one needs Black history to engender a clearer and more complete culture鈥� (Excerpt from Rosemary Sadlier in Why a Black History Month).
Black History Month 2024 Theme: Sustaining Black Joy Through Responding to the Enduring Call to Love
Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and celebrations that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities. We are called To Love, is the 2024 theme for Catholic Education Week. With this in mind, the work of bell hooks on 鈥淟ove As a Practice of Freedom鈥� has been intentionally woven into this year's Black History Month theme of Sustaining Black Joy Through Responding to the Enduring Call to Love. It is love that underpins all that we do as a Catholic community and as bell hooks reminds us, 鈥渢he moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others. That action is the testimony of love as the practice of freedom.鈥� As such, the events planned for this month are rooted in the practice of love. Black History as a celebration must always be anchored in love, for what is a celebration if it is not first grounded in love? We invite educators to lead students in February through an intentional celebration of the rich history, contributions and achievements of Black communities and encourage educators to continue to share this learning year round. As the Honourable Jean Augustine stated, "if we are to build a kind of society that's fair and just and equitable and inclusive, I must know your story, just as you must know my story." Educators are invited to access all workshops and read alouds in addition to school wide planning as a way to engage in celebrations this month to learn about and highlight the stories, contributions and achievements of members from the Black community that are centered in Love.
As February approaches the Equity Department is pleased to offer a resource for Black History Month and Beyond that uplifts all Ji8福利网 programming for February 2024 inclusive of events planned through the Equity Department, resources available on the Equity SharePoint and local events for Black History Month and beyond. Please visit the Equity Portal to access this resource (Employee Login Required).
Overview of Ji8福利网 Black History Month Planning 2024
Virtual author series and workshops in February will offer educators and their students an opportunity to learn through imagination and information about the importance of underheard stories. All Ji8福利网 staff and students are invited to join us in the following virtual workshops and read alouds with Yolanda T. Marshall, Khodi Dill, Rachel Adjei and Nia Centre.
Presenter Series on February 27 with Dr. Andrew B. Campbell available to educators
Community Engagement Night on February 29 with Khodi Dill
Registration and information for all Ji8福利网 resources and events are available on the Equity Portal (Employee Login Required).鈥�
Ji8福利网 Black Futures Speakers Series
Each February, the Ji8福利网's Department of Equitable and Inclusive Education offers the Black Futures Speakers Series. These pre-recorded interviews offer educators and students an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the contributions of Black Canadians.
This year's speaker series has expanded to include interviews with:
Brandon English: Founder of the Afro-Futures STEM Mentorship Program
Nancy Falaise: Entrepreneur, Business Owner, Hair Stylist, Consultant and Writer
Rachel Adjei: Entrepreneur and Culinary Chef
Sophia Jackson: Interdisciplinary Creative Entrepreneur and Business Owner
Resources for Ji8福利网 Educators (available on the Equity Portal):
Black History Month and Beyond Resources
Identity Affirming Resources
Ji8福利网 Poster: Celebrating Our Canadian History Poster
Additional external resources that support learning about Black History, Stories and Contributions include:
Government of Canada Black History Month 2024 Theme is Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build
Mississauga Celebrates Black History Month
Brampton Celebrates Black History Month
Kayak Magazine offers stories about Black History in Canada
Government of Canada: Noteworthy Figures
Nia Centre for the Arts
Black History Timelines and Noteworthy Figures鈥�