Black History Month 2025 – Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations
With February here, it is important to recognize the significance and relevance of Black History Month, celebrated by many people this month.
Dedicated to Black Canadians and Americans, the period not only celebrates but also pays tribute to their accomplishments, contributions, and communities. ICanada’s heritage, history and identity have been impacted and shaped by Black communities – it is imperative to continue fostering an environment of acceptance, creativity, innovation and cultural diversity.
While Black History Month is marked in February, the significance of it extends beyond this period. The history and achievements of Black Canadians exert a continuous influence on academia, universities, and students. Black History Month serves as a reminder that Black history is an integral part of our lives every month of the year.
Keeping this in mind, the solemn acknowledgement of the amount of racism, discrimination, suspicion, profiling and various other injustices due to skin colour, is crucial to deepen our understanding of the history and struggles of the Black community. According to recent research from the past couple of years, incidents targeting the Black population in Canada accounted for 57% of the increase in hate crimes. A parallel can be drawn when looking at educational attainment and earnings, with all groups of Black people earning less than non-racialized third-generation people.
Therefore, we, as a student community, need to strive towards putting an end to racial injustices, eliminating barriers to education and progression, and dismantling policies that sustain disparities throughout the entire year.
Kindly take a moment to consider and recognize the courage, resilience and perseverance displayed by members of the Black community. Each of us must continuously partake in self-reflection, purposeful and active engagement in anti-racism efforts, and the unlearning of anti-Black racism.
As students and as a representative student organization, let us reflect on the actions we can take to ensure that racism, discrimination, and oppression find no place here at the University of Waterloo.
Continuing Conversations
Continuing conversations around this topic is crucial to spark engagement, create discussion and spur action. The Black History Month theme for 2025 is Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations. The theme offers the opportunity to celebrate the diversity and achievements of Black people in Canada, while simultaneously paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive future. Diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice, and remaining committed to combatting systemic barriers, discrimination and inequities is the primary focus for this month’s theme.
Extend your learning, conversations, and celebrations beyond February by exploring a recap of The Inter-Institutional Forum of the Scarborough Charter 2024, co-hosted by the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. The Forum facilitated dialogue on Black experiences in higher education, bringing together scholars, leaders, and advocates for an energetic gathering of intellect and activism.
Continuing Education
Use Black History Month as an opportunity to further your education and engage in workshops offered by both the university and the community for continuous learning and unlearning.
WUSA & University of Waterloo learning opportunities:
Chapters of Change: Anti-racism & Conversations with Eternity Martis
History’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (HART) Book Club
Challenging Systemic Barriers: The Equity Lens
Confronting Anti-Black Racism e-Learning Course
The President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART)
Quick Links to Anti-Racism Resources
Community resources to advance your learnings:
February 8: MAR Talks – Black History Matter – Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future (online)
February 6, 15 and 24: Community-building learning and celebration of BHM at Waterloo Public Library
The Black Faculty Collective’s Anti-Black racism learning opportunities:
Educate yourself through the University of Waterloo programs, minors, and diplomas that involve learning and advocating for the Black community and other marginalised groups i.e.:
- Human Rights Minor at United College
Need support?
Below is a quick, non-exhaustive list of support systems for students in the WUSA and Waterloo communities.
WUSA:
University of Waterloo:
Need immediate support? We have a full list of resources here: For When You Need Support – Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association.
