Black History Month Resources
Since 1988, Canada has been celebrating Black History Month during the month of February to honour the great achievements and legacies of so many Black Canadians who have contributed to the betterment of our cities and our country.
It is crucial that we as an industry continue to educate ourselves, speak up, show up and stay engaged year-round, beyond the month of February. As Black History Month comes to an end, ULI Toronto’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee has curated some resources to equip our members with additional tools for allyship as we continue to commit to fighting racial injustice and ending systemic racism.
We as an organization are dedicated to further educating our members and guests on what we can do to support our communities in creating inclusive and safe cities for all and we would encourage you to continue to support Black organizations that work tirelessly to honour and protect the legacy of their community and amplify champions year-round.
On February 1, ULI Toronto hosted Redressing Black Displacement in Canada to kick-off Black History Month. We encourage you to watch as we travel across Canada to explore the impacts of displacement and urban renewal on Black communities and landmarks across Canada. Please also consider supporting the work that our speakers continue to do to: Hogan’s Alley Society, A Different Booklist Cultural Centre, and Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society.
Resources Roundup
- A Guide to Allyship by Amélie Lamont
- Be A Better Ally by Tsedale M. Melaku, Angie Beeman, David G. Smith, and W. Brad Johnson
- Reflections on Dialogues of Reckoning by Dan Godin, Jc Elijah (Eli) M. Bawuah, Georgia Lyut, Lauren Haein An, and Yasmin Afshar
- Want safer cities and public spaces? Invest in BIPOC-led work by Lena Philipps
- Urban renewal has displaced Black communities in Canada in the past. Can getting involved early in the planning stop it from happening again?
- Open Letter: a Call to Courage by Jay Pitter
- How do we respond to anti-Black racism in urbanist practices & conversations? with Jay Pitter and the Canadian Urban Institute
- Urban Design is not Neutral by Tamika L Butler and Steve Paikin
- Being a Neighbor in the Gentrification Era by Brentin Mock
- The Difference Between Workplace Equity And Equality, And Why It Matters by Jim Link
- The Pervasive Reality of Anti-Black Racism in Canada by Nan DasGupta, Vinay Shandal, Daniel Shadd, Andrew Segal, and in conjunction with CivicAction
- What so many get wrong about racism in the workplace
Events to Attend
- Bought in Bondage – Downtown Walking Tour | Myseum of Toronto/OBHS Your own time
- Ontario Black History Society Black History Month Kick-off | OBHS January 31
- RBC Future Ready Program | RBC February 3
- Durham Black History Month Celebration | Cultural Expressions Art Gallery February 6
- Black History Symposium: Honoring the Diversity of Black Leaders and Agents of Change | University of Toronto February 8
- Black Voices: Author Talk | Sarah Raughley February 8
- Karina Vernon and Kaie Kellough: The Black Prairie Archives | TPL February 9
- Before the 6ix: Kardinall Offishall ‘Quest for Fire’ 20th Anniversary | TPL February 10
- Film Screening: 9th Floor | University of Toronto February 12
- Black History Month – Harriet with CBWC | Congress of Black Women of Canada February 12
- Diverse Voices Unit: Honouring & Celebrating Black History Month 2021 | Manon Heran & Rogers TV
- Video Release: February 15
- Video & Live Q&A: February 24
Organizations to Support
- Black North Initiative
- Black Opportunity Fund
- Toronto Community Benefits Network: Nexgen Builders
- Black Lives Matter
- Anti-Gun Violence Movement
- Africville Museum
- Black History Society
- Ontario Black History Society
- Black Architects & Interior Designers Association
- BEAT (Building Equality in Architecture)
- A Different Booklist Cultural Centre
- Ethọ́s Lab
- Black Business and Professional Association
Watch and Listen to
- History of Black History Month | Government of Canada
- Teaching Your Child About Black History Month | PBS
- Africville: A Community Destroyed | CBC Radio
- What was Hogan’s Alley? | Hogan’s Alley Society
- ‘Our history began here:’ Elm Hill’s Black Community Reunites | CBC Radio
- ‘A Baldwin Revival: In Good and Bad Times | CBC Radio
- ‘The Prairies’ Forgotten History of Black Life and Culture | CBC Radio
- Secret Alberta: The Former Life of Amber Valley | Telus
- British Columbia’s Black Pioneers: Their Industry and Character Influenced the Vision of Canada | Digital Museums Canada
- Ontarians should know more about the Black History of Oakville | TVO
- The Black Settlement Burial Ground | New Brunswick Black Historical
- The First Reported Race Riot in North America Happened in Canada | CBC
- Canada’s Slavery Secret: The Whitewashing of 200 Years of Enslavement | CBC Radio
- Slavery’s Long Shadow | CBC Radio
- Secret Vancouver: Return to Hogan’s Alley | StoryHive
- Redressing Urban Displacement Panel | Hogan’s Alley Society
- The Pervasive Reality of Anti-Black Racism in Canada | BCG