February is Black History Month in Canada

 This year's national theme is "30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow's Visionaries." YUFA joins the York University community, and Canadians across the country, in recognizing the enduring legacy of Black Canadians, whose leadership, creativity, innovation and resilience have shaped our past, continue to influence our present, and inspire future generations.

A listing of some of the events related to Black History Month occurring on campus and hosted/organized by the Harriet Tubman Institute at York University can be found HERE.

The Government of Canada Black History Month webpage, which includes a digital toolkit, can be found HERE. The City of Toronto has organized numerous events and activities for Black History Month. Information can be found HERE.

YUFA will be pleased to promote additional Black History Month events that members may be aware of. Please send notices to [email protected].

1. Black History Month Exhibition, Politics/Poetics of Migration, opens February 5

The Harriet Tubman Institute is proud to present Politics/Poetics of Migration, a new gallery exhibition showcasing the work of AMPD students and alumni. Please join colleagues and others for Gallery Opening Ceremony on Thursday, February 5 in HNES 140. This will be an evening of cultural celebration featuring live African drumming and an engaging artist talks with the creators behind the collection.

For more information and registration, please see HERE. Please also see the poster below.

2. Black History Month book talk and conversation, February 24

The Harriet Tubman Institute is pleased to invite YUFA members to a Black History Month book talk and conversation on Tuesday, February 24 at 2:30pm. The event will be held at the Tubman Resources Room (314 York Lanes) with a Zoom option.

Dr. Maxamed Abumaye, Department of African American and African Studies, The Ohio State University, will be speaking on his recently published book Black Muslim Refugee: Militarism, Policing, and Somali American Resistance to State Violence (University of California Press, 2025).

This event will explore Black Muslim refugee experiences, Somali American resistance, and the intersections of migration, militarism, and state violence.

In-person registration and Zoom registration links are in the event poster below. For other registration details or questions, contact [email protected].

3. Canada’s unions are marking Black History Month by calling for an end to environmental racism 

The Canadian Labour Congress is calling on the federal government to correct longstanding harms against Black, Indigenous and racialized communities. See more information HERE as well as an opportunity to add your voice.

4. Dismantling Anti-Blackness and Anti-Black Racism Through Research, Practice, and Resistance - February 25

This event brings together scholars, researchers, practitioners and students to critically examine how anti-Blackness and anti-Black racism are produced, sustained, and challenged across institutions and everyday life. Through research, practice, and collective dialogue, the event highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen community resistance and activism, and to advance justice, accountability, and transformative change.

Date: Feb 25, 2026 (Wed) 6:00 pm-9:15 pm 

Location: Ross Building South, York University 

Additional information can be found in the poster below, and registration is here: Fill in the form

5. Aging in the City Seminar in honour of Black History Month – February 26

The Emerging Researchers and Professionals in Ageing – African Network (ERPAAN) and the York University Centre for Aging Research and Education (YU-CARE) are presenting a seminar on emergent methods for conduction research with Black older adults.

The seminar is on February 26, from 2:00 to 3:00pn over Zoom

Register here. 

6.  At the Intersection of Anti-Blackness and Migration Policies – February 26

Concluding this year’s theme on the Politics/Poetics of Migration, the Harriet Tubman Institute will be hosting “At the Intersection of Anti-Blackness and Migration Policies,” a roundtable discussion with migrant activists, scholars and lawyers to discuss the impacts, challenges and possible solutions surrounding issues of migration and anti-blackness in Canada and around the world. While discussions surrounding immigration, migrant rights, border violences and refugee status have been quite prevalent in mainstream conversations, these discourses often elide the experiences of Black migrants, and how imperial projects coincide with anti-Blackness. 

The panelists for the event include Mbalu Lumor from the Canadian Center for Victims of Torture and Dr. Gemeshu Abeshu, a refugee and forced migration postdoctoral researcher at York University and Nana Yanful, founder of Yanful Law, where she assists clients with human rights issues and state accountability matters. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Tamanisha John, Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics at York University, and will begin with opening remarks from Jamaica Consul-General Kurt Davis.

Date: February 26, 2026

Time: 12:30-2:30pm EST

Location: Tubman Resource Room (314 York Lanes) (Hybrid)

In-person Registration: https://research.apps01.yorku.ca/machform/view.php?id=286888

Zoom Registration: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/rNMElPxSTSa62L8adqHVrQ