This year marks 30 years of Black History Month in Canada with the theme: “Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.” It’s a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of Black Canadians, whose contributions to our country have shaped our past and will continue to inspire generations to come.
As an organization working to end hunger in our city, Daily Bread recognizes that hunger is deeply connected to systemic inequities — including anti-Black racism — that impact access to income, housing, education, health care, and other opportunities.
That’s why our work goes beyond emergency food support to include advocacy for systemic change, so fewer people are pushed into poverty in the first place.
This Black History Month, we invite you to join us in celebrating the contributions, creativity, and leadership of Black communities, while also reflecting on the challenges and barriers they continue to face today.
Below are a selection of events across Toronto and resources that you can explore to deepen your understanding and commemorate Black History Month:
- KUUMBA Festival: Running throughout February, this is Toronto’s largest and longest-running Black Futures Month festival. The event features a vibrant lineup of programming, spanning music, literature, dance, theatre, wellness, family-friendly events and masterclasses.
- Black History Month Showcase: On February 5, the Canada Black Music Archives hosts their annual Black History Month Showcase at the City of Toronto Archives, featuring veteran and emerging Black Canadian musicians, including Jully Black, Liberty Silver, Divine Brown, Dru (In Essence), and Tanika Charles
- Black History in Verse: On February 27, enjoy a night of poetry at the Toronto Archives featuring Toronto Poet Laureate Lillian Allen and Toronto Youth Poet Laureate Shahaddah Jack.
- Special programming at Toronto Public Library: Toronto Public Library branches across the city are hosting special events and programs celebrating Black history, culture, and storytelling throughout February.
- February weekends at Scarborough Museum: Every Saturday and Sunday, families are invited to gather at the museum’s story corner, featuring books for all ages that share Black lived experiences and stories. Visitors can also sample a warm drink and a scone fresh from the museum’s kitchen.
- Black Life: Untold Stories: Watch an eight-part documentary series that reframes the rich and complex histories of Black experiences in Canada.
- Black History Month’s reading list: Explore a collection of books, in honour of Black History Month, selected by Toronto Public Library.
