At TDSB, a motion to recognize African Heritage (Black History) Month was carried in January 2002 and reaffirmed again in January 2004. During the month of February, African Heritage (Black History) Month is recognized across Canada thanks to The Honourable MP Jean Augustine, who introduced the motion in the House of Commons in December 1995; it officially took effect in February 1996. The Black History Month Act was also passed in Ontario in 2016 and has been formally recognized since.
African Heritage (Black History) Month is an occasion to commemorate present and past individuals who helped shape the path of our future student leaders, while also celebrating the many achievements and contributions of numerous individuals with this heritage! Their voices and actions impact our society, and work to continuously improve the world we live in.
This year’s chosen theme is Our Black Is… Our Black Is Resilient, Community, Beautiful, Unity, Joy, Self-Determination, Excellence, Empowering, Purpose, Brilliance, Engaging, Creative, Belonging, Tenacious, Powerful, Faith, Audacious, Powerful, Me…
This open statement, “Our Black Is…” was selected as the 2024 African Heritage Month theme, as it is for Us as a Community to define. We invite our community to continue to boldly define ourselves. Please enjoy a brief video on Our Black Is… conveying reflections from our students from elementary to secondary level.
The Afric
an Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee and its partners continue to produce quality programs for students. This includes the Know Your Worth Black Youth Empowerment Conference partnership with York University Black Law Student Association. This initiative produced Know Your Worth Educators Conference for staff and for the first time this year, the Know Your Worth Black Youth Elementary Empowerment Conference.
Black identifying students within the TDSB were asked to submit a poster of their interpretation of the theme, Our Black Is… for the African Heritage (Black History) Month Poster Contest. We are pleased to announce this year’s successful participants.
To kick off African Heritage (Black History) Month at the TDSB, we are excited to extend an invitation to all students, staff and the larger TDSB community to join us in marking this significant month with noteworthy speakers and entertainment! Please see the details below.
African Heritage (Black History) Month Virtual Launch
Date: Thursday, February 1st, 2024
Time: 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Link: https://youtu.be/SJz81oxELhc
Please follow us on Twitter @tdsbAFricanHM and Instagram @tdsb_african_hm.