Skip to main content

Black History Month

Black History Month offers a time to reflect on the significant past and present contributions of Black people in Canada, with a focus on nurturing future opportunities.

Concordia is focused on change, progress and building awareness around initiatives that tackle anti-Black racism.

Read on to discover how Concordia's Black community has made its mark at the university, in Montreal and beyond.

Feb. 9 - In Conversation with Civil Rights Activist Fred Anderson

From Mississippi to Montreal

A special event in honour of Black History Month offered by Concordia's Black Perspectives Office: A conversation with civil rights activist, author and community leader Fred Anderson, with Concordia doctoral scholar and oral historian Kelann Currie-Williams. 

Those that pass through, remain: Honouring Black presence at Concordia

A black and white portrait of a man with short hair and a beard Charles Campbell. Photo by Lia Crowe.
Interior view of a stairwell in a building. Tall, vertical translucent panels in bright colors (yellow, red, blue and orange) fill a window at the top of the stairs, casting colored light and reflections into the space. The colour-saturated Breath Portrait windows are visualizations of the recorded breath heard in the accompanying soundscape.

Those that pass through, remain, return is a multi-media installation honouring Concordia University’s and Montreal’s Black community. It features Breath Portraits accompanied by a soundscape that brings together recordings of breath drawn from members of the community with the birdsong of migratory birds from the Caribbean and the African continent. You can experience it by visiting the Bishop Street entrance of the Henry H Hall building.

This installation is the first in Honouring Black Presence, Concordia's new public art program that celebrates the histories, presence and futures of Black Concordians through ephemeral public artworks. Honouring Black Presence is one of many concrete actions meant to respond to the final recommendations of the President’s Task Force on Anti-Black Racism.

More events and activities for Black History Month

Reduce barriers to higher education

"I know I'm not the only person that needed a bursary." Concordia alumna Fatoumata Tewa Camara, BA 12, returns to campus 13 years later to share the story behind her decision to create a bursary to support Black students who are single parents or come from single-parent households.

Concordia has been recognized as a leader in accessible higher education. In times past, the university attracted among the highest numbers of first-generations students — students who were the first in their families to attend a university — in Quebec and Canada.

We also strive to be a welcoming destination for students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including those of historically and structurally excluded communities.

Bridging Generations

An intergenerational conversation that brings together Black community elders to share their wisdom, life lessons, and guidance with Concordia’s Black students in a panel discussion. This special event also paid tribute to the late Dr. Clarence Bayne, a professor, activist, and co-founder of the Black Theatre Workshop.

Looking back at Black History Month

Black History Month provides a moment in time to take stock and acknowledge the more than 420 years of contributions and achievements of Black peoples in Canada across all sectors of society.

Watch 

Stop and set aside some time, today and beyond, to learn about past and present Black histories, stories, celebrations and more. 

Montreal murals

Get a bit closer to Montreal's Black History with a stroll through Little Burgundy and beyond. Check out the murals that highlight the people and events that left their mark on Montreal.

Concordia’s Black Presence Hub

A space where Black students, faculty and staff can access culturally relevant resources, services and more. It’s intended to foster flourishing, support, community, and knowledge sharing, both on and off campus.

Back to top

© Concordia University