Each year, students and staff across the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) are invited to participate in Black History Month, to honour Black Canadians, both past and present, and to pay homage to the many achievements Black Canadians have contributed to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous nation it is today.
Throughout the year, a number of virtual events and learning opportunities are planned in Halton and in our schools in partnership with HCDSB and various community partners.
Special thanks goes out to community partners the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton, Milton Public Library and One Burlington for their support of these school and system-wide events!
See a list of past and upcoming events happening at HCDSB:
| Islamophobia at the Intersection of Race & Gender: What does it mean to be Black, Muslim & Female? Aasiyah Khan | October 23rd, 2020 |
| Overcoming Barriers and Student Success Francis Atta, Social Worker | Welcome Centre November 10, 2020 St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School November 16, 2020 St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School March 3, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. |
| Learning about Nigerian Life, School and Culture Clementina Akinleye | Program Services & School Staff December 8, 2020 |
| Read Alouds, Q&A and Talk Lawrence Hill, Author | Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School Various dates and times from December 2020 – May 2021 |
| Sizzlin’ Halton: Caribbean Culture & Cuisine Chef Melani Bastians https://www.ccah.ca | St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School Christ the King Catholic Secondary School Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School Various dates in partnership with the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH) |
| Read Alouds, Q&A and Talk Shauntay Grant, author | Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School January 14, 2021 St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School & Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School January 20, 2021 Various elementary school libraries Various dates and times |
| Rebel & Rhyme Britta B, Spoken Word Artist | Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School January 27, 2021 Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School February 22 & May 3, 2021 St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School May 5, 2021 Various elementary schools Various dates and times |
| Africville: A Musical Presentation | Week of February 15, 2021 In partnership with One Burlington All schools are invited! |
| So You Want to Talk About Race Ijeoma Oluo, Author See the flyer here. | Grades 8 – 12 Feb. 24, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. In partnership with CCAH and Milton Public Library |
| Engaging Black Families and Black students through Curriculum Natasha Henry | Program Services May, 2021 Date to be determined |
Quick Facts:
- In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada;
- In February 2008, Senator Donald Oliver, the first Black man appointed to the Senate, introduced the motion to recognize contributions of Black Canadians and February as Black History Month.
