As February rolls around once more, the city comes together to celebrate Black History Month (or Black Futures Month, as some like to call it). With that comes a ton of Black-focused workshops, events, lectures and more for people of all backgrounds to engage with.
I’ve collected a list of some events happening around Toronto this month that highlight our creativity, ingenuity, our joy and love and our beauty. Hopefully the city will come away with an appreciation for its Black community that extends well past February 28th.
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Celebrate Books From Canadian African Diaspora
If reading more books was on your list of resolutions for 2025, A Different Booklist has curated a series of great reads from Canadian authors of the African diaspora. From picture books like Getting Us to Grandma’s, to the non-fiction knockout Black Boys Like Me, and short story collections like Sans Souci and Other Stories, this list has over 75 titles to choose from. This is a great chance to expand our knowledge of Black history, Black stories and Black futures. More Info
Where: A Different Booklist
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Black History Month Art & Culture Event
Waveland Canada is hosting a vibrant celebration honouring Black Canadian women’s achievements in arts, culture, and entrepreneurship. Audiences can expect a free night of live musical performances and storytelling from artists like Kajé, Rachelle Show, Wura Sol, Keziaa Music and Sofinari, as well as a collection of women-run market vendors. More Info
When: February 1
Where: Hart House
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Crafting Our Legacy Exhibition
Crafting Our Legacy returns for its second year to showcase and exhibit the transformative power of Black art. Highlighting the richness of diverse cultural influences and creative expressions, this exhibition features a collective of Black artists from various backgrounds. This event promises to display powerful personal narratives, reflections on identity, and reimagined perspectives on history and the future of the Black experience. More Info
When: February 1
Where: The Rivoli
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Curate Your Story: Vision Board Workshop
Manifest dreams for a better tomorrow at the Nia Centre for the Arts with this Vision Board workshop. Hosted by the NoHa Collective, a group working to promote a greater understanding and appreciation for the beauty, complexity and diversity of African and Caribbean cultures, participants can set intentions for the upcoming year, which may include community building, organizing and activism. More Info
When: February 1
Where: Nia Centre for the Arts
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KUUMBA30
Toronto’s largest and longest-running Black Futures Month festival is returning to the Harbourfront Centre for its 30th anniversary. KUUMBA Festival has been a vital platform for celebrating Black futures, embodying joyful expression through the vibrant integration of artists, creators, and audiences in the multidisciplinary fields of music, theatre, dance, spoken word and more. This year’s events include movement masterclasses with Esie Mensah, Lua Shayenne and Syreeta Hector, a Bob Marley birthday tribute, b-boy and b-girl competitions and more! More Info
When: February 1-28
Where: Harbourfront Centre
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Black History & Culture Programming at Toronto Public Library
Toronto Public Library has curated a selection of programming, reading lists and podcast episodes that shine a spotlight on Black history and culture. Programming includes An Overview Of 400 Years of Black History In Canada hosted by historian and author Channon Oyeniran, as well as Discovering Sansa Kromah: A Journey Through Music and Storytelling hosted by Frances Greenidge. They also have podcasts available year-round with authors such as Gwendolyn Brooks and Gloria Naylor. More Info
When: February 1-28
Where: Various Locations
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Sunday Noir
Nicky Lawrence, creative director at Incongruent Media, has curated Sunday Noir, a special screening series to showcase films that have inspired a generation of women to pick up a camera and take action to tell their stories. This Sunday Noir features films by Black female directors: Origin, directed by Ava DuVernay and starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Queen & Slim, directed by Melina Matsoukas and starring Jodie Turner-Smith. Hopefully, this series will continue to inspire audiences to explore Black female directors and their growing canon of thought-provoking work. More Info
When: February 2
Where: Paradise Theatre
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Filmmaker Panel & Screening: Black Diasporas Tkaronto
All budding filmmakers should definitely check out this Filmmaker Panel & Screening, as part of the Black Diasporas Tkaronto-Toronto exhibition. Screening 10 short films that translate oral histories and personal narratives into films that speak to a diaspora and beyond, the night will feature filmmakers including Aisha Fairclough, Chelsea Nyomi, Isabel Okoro and Nala Haileselassie. The evening hopes to explore the idea of what transcends and emerges when filmmakers bring their own culture’s tales to the screen. More Info
When: February 5
Where: Trinity Square Video
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Black History Month Programming at Hot Docs
With Hot Docs Cinema’s recent re-opening, there is a lot to be excited for this February, including their Black History Month programming. Their lineup includes films such as the documentary Igualada, a 25th-anniversary screening of Love & Basketball, a family screening of Akeelah and the Bee, and sing-a-long/shout-a-long screening of Dreamgirls. The screenings extend into March 1, with an encore screening of Play it Loud! – How Toronto Got Soul, a documentary that tells the little-known story of how Jamaican music became a critical and unlikely part of Canadian culture. More Info
When: February 5 – March 1
Where: Hot Docs Cinema
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Beyond the Finish Line: Exploring Black Canadian Sport Histories
Eminent Black sports scholar Ornella Nzindukiyimana explores what it means to be a Black athlete in Canada today and the pivotal role of sport in our culture as both a platform for struggle and liberation. This lecture, followed by a moderated Q & A session, aims at reflection and imagination, as Ornella looks beyond the finish line and examines the impact that erasure of Black histories can have on possibilities for visioning Black futures. More Info
When: February 6
Where: William Doo Auditorium
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ArtHeart’s Black History Month Paint Night
Regent Park Resident Artist Melissa Falconer is inviting the city to unleash their inner artists at this exciting Paint Night event. All skill levels are welcome as this evening promises creativity, laughter, and great company. All proceeds from this 19+ event go towards ArtHeart’s mission of providing continued free arts programming for equity seeking groups and all participants will leave with a masterpiece to take home and proudly display. More Info
When: February 7
Where: Artheart
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Africa Vibes – Afro Workshop with Cassandra Toutou
Learn about the history of dance styles from the African continent and have fun doing it with this dance workshop, taught by dance artist and choreographer Cassandra Toutou. Through Afrobeat, participants will connect with the vibrant history, rhythms, and dance traditions that continue to influence global culture today. More Info
When: February 7
Where: George Brown College
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Black History Month Programming at Revue Cinema
Revue Cinema is celebrating Black History Month with a selection of classics from the canon of Black film. Dolemite, Young Soul Rebels and Tales From The Hood will be screening at Toronto’s oldest standing movie theatre to celebrate the anniversaries of these films that span decades (one even half a century), as well as a 4k restoration. More Info
When: February 7, 9 and 12
Where: Revue Cinema
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Table for Two
Akosua Amo-Adem is ready to star in the world premiere of her play Table for Two this February at Soulpepper Theatre. Directed by acclaimed playwright and director Djanet Sears, this play about our current digital dating landscape is a perfect Valentine’s Day/Black History Month combo! Featuring an all-Black cast, writer and director, this is sure to be a celebration of Black art, Black humour and Black love. More Info
When: February 7-March 2
Where: Soulpepper Theatre
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[Un]Archiving Workshop: Led by Aaron T Francis of Vintage Black Canada
Aaron T Francis of Vintage Black Canada is inviting Toronto to reflect on the past, present, and future of Black Canadiana through each others’ family photographs. This free workshop, a part of Museum of Toronto’s Black Diasporas Tkaronto-Toronto exhibition, allows participants to bring in family photos from the past (preferably pre-2000) and leave feeling encouraged and equipped to embark on your own family/community archiving project. The intention is to instill the importance of documenting Black stories, voices, & experiences. More Info
When: February 8
Where: Museum of Toronto
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Abeena Samm at Toronto Reference Library
Visit the Toronto Reference Library for a free concert by Abeena Samm in celebration of Black History Month. An Urban Music Association of Canada Award nominated singer/songwriter, Abeena and her band will be playing original reggae, folk, blues, and gospel to uplift and inspire audiences of all ages and backgrounds. More Info
When: February 11
Where: Toronto Reference Library
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Toronto Black Film Festival
The 13th edition of the Toronto Black Film Festival is another great way to celebrate Black storytelling this month! With so many films in their lineup this year, including documentaries, narrative features and animated shorts, take the time to explore these wonderful and unique stories, especially their Being Black in Toronto series of programming. More Info
When: February 12-17
Where: Various venues
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eunice bélidor: Handle with Care – Curatorial Practices After the Pandemic
Onsite Gallery at OCAD is hosting its annual Black History Month guest lecture featuring esteemed curator, writer and researcher eunice bélidor. This lecture, hosted by writer and curator Joséphine Denis, hopes to explore the vital role of fostering dialogues on Black history, art, and culture within and beyond our communities, as well as share strategies to create meaningful and relevant exhibitions that nurture all participants—curators, artists, and audiences alike. More Info
When: February 13
Where: OCAD University
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Black Tease: Excellence
Looking to combine Black History Month with some LGBTQIA+ solidarity too? The fifth annual Kreative Kulture Black History celebration show is returning to Glad Day Bookshop, featuring an all-Black cast of burlesque and drag performers! The lineup includes performances from Ravyn Wingz, Ocean Giovanni, Cleo Tantra, Neno Freebird, Angëll Morana and more! More Info
When: February 15
Where: GLAD Day Bookshop
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Reimagining Canada’s Past and Future Through Black Historical Fiction
Celebrated Black Canadian historical fiction authors Suzette Mayr, Sheila Murray, Kai Thomas and host Sarah Raughley will be discussing the importance of Black historical fiction in centering multiple perspectives at the Toronto Reference Library this month. In this special panel conversation, they aim to discuss how historical fiction serves as both a mirror and a lamp — reflecting buried truths while lighting new paths for storytelling. More Info
When: February 18
Where: Toronto Reference Library
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Black Grapes
Get into the spirit with this evening of celebrating Black winemakers and agents from around the world. Curated by sommelier Beverly Crandon, participants are encouraged to taste wines from Canada, the United States, South Africa, and more. More Info
When: February 20
Where: Stackt Market
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Canadian Cyphers – Elements of Toronto Hip-Hop
Toronto’s contribution to the hip-hop genre is being highlighted at Canadian Cyphers – Elements of Toronto Hip-Hop. As part of the month-long exhibit, this free immersive musical event will feature the legendary hip-hop duo Dream Warriors, along with surprise guests, DJs, and speakers. The night will be filled with collections of iconic albums, photographs, memorable flyers and magazines in between performances to immerse audiences in the sounds and stories that shaped Toronto’s hip-hop culture. More Info
When: February 21
Where: City Of Toronto Archives
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A celebration of Black classical music – chamber music edition!
Untitled Ensemble wants Toronto to join them for a night of music by Black composers to celebrate Black History Month. Visitors can expect to hear works by Florence Price, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and Dorothy Rudd Moore. Take in an intimate evening of celebrating often overlooked and underappreciated composers from the Black community. More Info
When: February 28
Where: Annette Studios
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The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century
Take a stroll through The Culture at the Art Gallery of Ontario’s newest exhibit highlighting the intersection of hip-hop and contemporary in the 21st century. Organized to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the classic genre, this showcase features art by some of today’s most important and celebrated artists, placing fashion, consumer marketing, music, videos and objects in dialogue with paintings, sculpture, poetry, photography and more. More Info
When: Until April 26
Where: Art Gallery of Ontario
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Dura
Chiedza Pasipanodya’s public installation Dura | a mechanism for recalling sensibilities of community care (from any and all satellite sites such as this), inspired by their research-based practice, is available for audiences to view until May 30. This is a great opportunity to check out Black art, centered on southern African ways of being, ways of knowing, and aesthetics from a diasporic lens. More Info
When: Until May 30
Where: Fort York, Garrison Common
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