Though Black history and culture should be celebrated each month of the year, February offers many opportunities to dig deeper. This list presents a variety of events, films, exhibits, and resources to learn more about Black culture and to connect with Black communities throughout the city.
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KUUMBA
Harbourfront Centre’s KUUMBA is Toronto’s largest and longest-running Black Futures Month festival. It will embrace the rich tapestry of Black cultures and creativity through a month-long celebration. Attendees will bear witness to an integration of music, theatre, spoken word, and visual arts to transcend historical narratives of trauma and repression. More info.
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For The Culture with Amanda Parris
Take a seat for Amanda Parris’ newest POV documentary series For The Culture , streaming now on CBC Gem. This season will explore Black maternal health, the business of Black hair, diaspora wars, and beyond. This series is a must-watch for anyone on a revelatory journey into Black stories and their impact across borders. We also dove deeper with Amanda to hear more about For The Culture in our February Artist of the Month feature. More info.
Black History Month at the AGO
For their annual Black History Month celebration, the AGO is hosting a rhythm-filled series on Friday nights in February. Family-friendly activities will highlight this year’s theme of movement. Stop by for exclusive performances from OKAN Musica, Sharon Marley Live and Steelpan with Suzette Vidale, which immerses attendees into the vibrant world of steelpan music! More info.
Printing Mary Ann Shadd Cary’s Newspaper
Join the Mackenzie House for a workshop and tour all about Mary Ann Shadd Cary, the first Black woman to publish a newspaper in North America. This event will take visitors back to 1845 for a custom printing session! Customized papers with visitors’ names will be available as they learn all about Cary’s story. This is one of many initiatives from the Toronto History Museums to uplift and endure the legacies of Black communities in Canada. More info.
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Hot Docs Black History Month Selections
Grab your friends and head straight for Hot Docs Cinema for films that truly capture Black excellency. Notable releases include Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes, where viewers will experience the ground-breaking sounds of bebop pioneers, virtuoso percussionists, and a bandleader inspired by the inequities of those around him. Renaissance: A Film by BEYONCÉ is another must-see, capturing the journey of her tour from Stockholm, Sweden to the finale in Kansas City, Missouri. More info.
Black History Month at the NFB
The National Film Board of Canada celebrates Black History Month with a series of activities to uplift Black creatives! This year, the NFB will pay tribute to acclaimed filmmaker Charles Officer, with in-person and online screenings of his film Mighty Jerome. Watch impactful Black stories for free with two playlists on the NFB website. The Focus on Black Filmmakers features 20 new and classic titles by Black directors, whereas NFB Abroad: Africa on Screen will illuminate the continent and its people, arts, and culture with Canadian intersections. More info.
Must-Read Books by Black Authors
If you’re looking to expand your taste in Black literature, our list of top picks from Black authors has you covered. Black stories are celebrated through a range of genres, such as thriller, romance, fiction and fantasy. As our Books Editor Ameema Saeed said, “It’s important to be intentional about your reading choices, and your purchasing choices.” More info.
Black Frequency
This interactive exhibit from Monique Armstrong, Founder of B. Emerging Creatives Canada, aims to recognize and amplify Black individuals and communities throughout Canada. With a range of photography, film, visual art, and music, Black Frequency will focus on Black history, inclusion, and progress through the perspective of a first-generation Canadian. More info.
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Flaunt It Black History Month Events
This month, the QTBIPOC-led artist platform Flaunt It has planned an exciting event series to mark Black History Month. Mark your calendars for Fridays in February to enjoy a panel of Jane-Finch’s Black women leaders, a financial literacy workshop, and an open mic showcase of Black artists. Celebrate Black history, futures, and excellence with these free community events. More info.
Cut to Black: Celebrating Black Cinema
This curated collection of films streaming on MUBI is a tribute to Black artistry, both behind and in front of the camera. From acclaimed classics to hidden treasures, explore a rich tapestry of stories from Black filmmakers, with titles including MLK/FBI, Red Hook Summer, Eve’s Bayou, The African Desperate, and Daughters of the Dust. More info.
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Black Community Mixtapes
Black Community Mixtapes, a five-part docu-series streaming on Citytv Toronto, examines the contributions of unsung icons and highlights Black history. This series enters into a world of lived experiences, hardships, and insightful conversations. Created, produced, and directed by Alison Duke and Ngardy Conteh George, the show follows host KhaRå Martin on her quest to rediscover Black history. More info.
Black Futures at Hart House
Using the lens of Afrofuturism to explore and present the arts, dialogue, and well-being, Hart House relays a series of programs to reimagine the future. Some events include the Wealth Building Series, Rest Is Resistance, and the Annual Black History Month Luncheon. Throughout the month, these intersectional events will empower Black leaders and artists with real-world knowledge. More info.
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Union Street
Award-winning BC writer/director and onscreen talent Jamila Pomeroy’s debut documentary Union Street will be hitting theatres this month. Spanning across three generations, this film dives into racism, displacement, and erasure of African Canadian history. This film celebrates the Black community in Vancouver and speaks to the challenges the community has historically faced due to systemic racism. As they reclaim cultural space, they give voice to black experiences and redefine the African Canadian identity. More info.
BAND Gallery Pop-up Sale
Organized by the Black Artists’ Network in Dialogue (BAND), this gallery connects communities to enlighten and educate through the arts. They are dedicated to developing emerging artists, curators, and administrators by providing an accessible venue to showcase their works to the public. This month, their pop-up sale will highlight artworks from Leone McComas, Natalie Asumeng, Daej Hamilton and more! Come by and take a look to find the perfect gift and to support local Black artists. More info.
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Underground Comedy Railroad
The Underground Comedy Railroad will tour across Canada with a showcase of Black comedians, including two Toronto shows on February 3. Each stop features various artists from local areas to increase their opportunities to reach a larger audience. As part of the 2024 tour, they will record their highly anticipated second comedy album at Comedy Bar in Toronto. With a compilation of the hottest sets from featured comedians, this show is guaranteed to brighten up your week. More inf0.
Black History Month Networking & Vendor Event
This in-person event at the Jamaican Canadian Association on February 3 will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with a diverse community and support local businesses. Through conversations, networking, and shopping, attendees can discover all the services offered by talented Black entrepreneurs. Do not miss out on this exciting event that celebrates the Black community in Toronto. More info.
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Toronto Black Film Festival
The 12th annual Toronto Black Film Festival marks Black History Month with diverse and innovative programming from February 14 – 19. Founded by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, this festival will narrate Black stories to represent cinema in an ever-changing cultural landscape. You won’t want to miss Canada’s largest celebration of Black History Month with 80 film releases from over 20 countries! More info.
Reframing History
Presented by TPLCulture, three prominent Black artists and scholars will discuss the untold stories of Atlantic Canada’s Black history and the rich legacies of Black Canadians. Multidisciplinary scholar and artist Dr. Afua Cooper, media and performance artist Dr. Camille Turner, and author Bushra Junaid will revisit history for all communities that make up Atlantic Canada. Through this discussion on February 15, they will narrate the untold stories of Black people in Newfoundland and Labrador to honour underrepresented histories. More info.
TAIBU’s Black History Month Celebration
Set at the forefront of community health and social services to Black communities across the Greater Toronto Area, TAIBU aims to improve, promote and protect Black populations. This celebration of culture and resilience will be hosted at the TAIBU Community Health Centre on February 17 with special guest MPP Andrea Hazell. More info.
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Pride Toronto’s Sankofa
Pride Toronto’s second annual signature Black History Month event, Sankofa, is “Honouring the past, Celebrating the present, Mapping the future.” This eventful celebration on February 23 will feature amazing performances, including Drag Queens and Kings, songs, poetry & dance from diverse Black 2LSBTQI+ artists in the community. More info.
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The Trending Table Market
If a weekend of shopping, supporting, and networking with Black-owned small businesses sounds like fun, you have to stop by this pop-up at Stackt Market! From February 24 – 25, local vendors, makers, and tastemakers will fill up the space with their goods. The first 30 guests will also be receiving a swag bag filled with products made by Black businesses. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to support local Black entrepreneurs! More info.
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