Black History Month: Why February, why a month, what's changed?

February is Black History Month in Canada. But what does that mean and why February of all months? In fact, why set aside a month to “recognize” the presence and contributions of African/Black people in Canadian society? 

In this free public event, York University Prof. Carl E. James explores questions about the significance of February as Black History Month. He discusses the transformation towards a more inclusive history of Canada, recognized officially by the House of Commons in December 1995, challenging past exclusionary practices.

Carl E. James

Dr. Carl E. James is the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora in the Faculty of Education at York University where he is also a Distinguished Research Professor. He holds a PhD in Sociology, and studies the experiences of racialized students noting the ways in which race – and its intersection with ethnicity, gender, class, citizenship, generational status, and other characteristics – mediates their social, educational, and economic opportunities and participation in society. Premised on notions of equity, inclusion, and social justice, James takes up questions of the ways in which institutional structures through policies, programs, practices etc. make possible responsive civic engagement of Black youth in society. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the 2022 Killam Prize Laureate in Social Sciences, an honorary an doctorate degree from Uppsala University, Sweden, and the Canadian Sociological Association, Outstanding Contribution Award recipient 2020.

Find more resources, events, stories and voices on our Black History Month webpage.