Black History Month

The University of Lethbridge continues its journey and commitment to eliminating anti-Black racism and advancing Black inclusion in Canadian higher education. It is important for 2024 that, as we look back upon our journey, we continue to share stories celebrating the resilience, strength and joy of Black communities. Part of this work is ensuring we have safe and accessible spaces for our campus community to do so.

On February 1, 2024, the University of Lethbridge will continue this work by celebrating Black History Month under the theme — Black Joy: The Telling of our Stories. This theme creates opportunity for the celebration of our heritage as well as the multiplicities of stories for all Black people from Canadian, Caribbean and African Diaspora who have enriched our societies culturally, socially, politically and economically.

“Black History Month is a coming together of our community to recognize and celebrate the diverse stories and numerous contributions that have been made by Black students, staff and faculty at the University of Lethbridge,” says Dr. Digvir Jayas, President and Vice-Chancellor.

Martha Mathurin-Moe, Vice-Provost of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, adds Black History is the celebration of our many stories, contributions and resilience as a community which sometime get overlooked or undervalued.

“It is crucially important on our journey to creating safe spaces for belonging that we continue to build our understanding of the many scholars, creators , innovators, cultural icons and activists who are pillars of Black Joy on our campus and in our community, Canada and throughout the world,” says Mathurin-Moe. “As we continue on our journey to build an inclusive campus, and to celebrate the monumental positive impact of Black people on our society, for the opening ceremony of Black History Month on February 1, 2024, at 9 a.m. in the Science Commons Atrium.”

The presence, history and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities have not always been acknowledged or celebrated in all parts of Canada. Therefore, it is crucial to dedicate specific efforts to not only recognize but to learn about the contributions Black Canadians made in establishing the country and society we all know today.

There are several background events to the Black History Month celebration. However, it was not until February 2008 when Senator Donald Oliver, the first Black man appointed to the Canadian Senate, introduced the Motion to Recognize Contributions of Black Canadians and February as Black History Month that it became a nation-wide celebration. Although Black History Month is celebrated in February, it is important to honour the contributions of Black Canadians and Black communities throughout the year.

Celebrating Black History Month is another step forward towards advancing equity, diversity and Black inclusion at the University of Lethbridge. On November 18, 2021, ULethbridge joined more than 40 universities and colleges from across Canada in signing the Scarborough Charter, a commitment to eliminating anti-Black racism and advancing Black inclusion in Canadian higher education.

“The Scarborough Charter represents one of the ongoing commitments and a call to action from Canadian higher education institutions to do the hard work ahead to repair and reconcile their role in historically excluding marginalized groups,” said Dr. Mike Mahon, president and vice-chancellor. “By signing the Charter, the University is committed to doing our ethical part in addressing these social injustices and to creating safe, inclusive spaces for all.”

Black History Month is about taking the time to not only honour and celebrate but to acknowledge, to remember, to listen and to create brave spaces for the voices of Black students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members to be heard. The events of 2020 were an important catalyst propelling anti-blackness into the social discourse. We cannot stop the conversations – they must continue.

It is important for 2024 that, as we look back upon our journey, we continue to share stories celebrating the resilience, strength and joy of Black communities. Part of this work is ensuring we have safe and accessible spaces for our campus community to do so. The theme Black Joy: The Telling of our Stories creates opportunity for the celebration of our heritage as well as the multiplicities of stories for all Black people from Canadian, Caribbean and African Diaspora who have enriched our societies culturally, socially, politically and economically.

This year's opening event will feature a cultural performance from the ULethbridge Black Students' Association as well as Alumnus Stephen Onyango from the Faculty of Fine Arts, a cinematographer & creative director. Additionally, the Equity Diversity and Inclusion team will provide updates on current and upcoming projects.

For information about this year’s event, click here.

Becoming an ally is a lifelong process, primarily a learning process! The first step we can take is to be curious and inform ourselves about the realities faced by Black Canadians and their communities, as well as their contributions to Canada. An ally does not remain silent when witnessing racism, discrimination, or oppression. As allies, we can also act in solidarity with individuals, groups and organizations actively engaged in anti-racism and anti-discrimination work, through volunteer work, donations or simply attending their events or helping propagate their message.