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.
A pivotal moment
Canada's largest student protest against anti-Black racism
January 29 – February 11, 1969
See photos of the offical plaque installation
The President’s Task Force on Anti-Black Racism at Concordia
One-year progress report
The implementation team of the President’s Task Force on Anti-Black Racism has shared a progress report highlighting work accomplished since the launch of its final report in 2022.
Nearly 20 projects include new scholarships, support for mental health, student success and ongoing work to infuse Black perspectives in select courses.
Honouring Black presence at Concordia
Charles Campbell and his piece “Breath Cycle 1,” 2022. | Photos: Left (art) photo by Dennis Ha, right (portrait) photo by Lia Crowe
Honouring Black Presence is Concordia's new public art program that will celebrate the histories, presence and futures of Black Concordians through ephemeral public artworks. Honouring Black Presence at Concordia is one of many concrete actions meant to respond to the final recommendations of the President’s Task Force on Anti-Black Racism.
“The program responds to a longstanding demand to establish sites of Black presence at the university,” explains Cynthia Alphonse, project coordinator for the President’s Task Force on Anti-Black Racism. “Supporting this initiative is one of the ways the university community can help celebrate and honour the contributions of Black peoples to Concordia.”
Celebrating Concordia's Caribbean Community with Candace Jacobs
Candace Jacobs, BSc 02, MA 07, is director of internal communications at Concordia. She joined the university staff as a student in 2000 and worked her way up to recruitment officer, then into managerial and director roles, assuming her current position in 2022. A second-generation Concordian, Jacobs interviewed her father, Leon Jacobs, BA 70, who studied at Concordia during the Computer Centre Protest. She interviewed him in 2023 to discuss his experience as a Black student in the 1960s.
Meet the Concordians featured
Watch the video series featuring more former members of the Caribbean Students’ Union.
Events and activities
The Black Perspectives Office offers training sessions and workshops. Through anti-racist, anti-colonial and anti-oppressive frameworks, these sessions highlight the nuances of Black lived experiences and celebrate the impactful voices, knowledges and members of Black communities across Concordia University and beyond. Interested in learning about anti-racism & equity? The Equity Office offers training and workshops that address equity topics along intersections such as race, disability, sex and gender.
Participate on social media by sharing photos of your Black History Month activities with the hashtags #BHM2024 #Concordia
CARIBBEAN ALUMNI
Join us at Homecoming 2024!
Save the date for the Concordia Caribbean Students’ Union (CCSU) reunion on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Volunteer and help coordinate the CCSU alumni reunion.
Explore
Recommendations from the Concordia Libraries and Cinema Politica
Stop and set aside some time, today and beyond, to re-educate ourselves 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.
Support Black students at Concordia
Help raise awareness and strengthen Concordia’s Black community
