Black History Month 2025: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations
Every February, Canadians come together to celebrate Black History Month, an opportunity to honour the rich history and vibrant culture of Black Canadians.
This year, we celebrate this very special month under the theme “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.” For the occasion, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is showcasing different stories and materials that highlight the contributions of Black communities in Canada.
Voices Revealed podcast: “Porter Talk”
The first season of the Voices Revealed podcast series, titled “Porter Talk,” features interviews conducted by Stanley G. Grizzle—a former porter, labour activist, public servant, and citizenship judge who championed the rights of Black communities. You can listen to the first three episodes now, with the fourth one “The Long Fight for Porters' Rights,” set for publication later this February.
In addition, we have a new blog series called Black Porter Perspectives, with entries releasing this month. Start with the first blog, “Through the Lens of Military Records,” and explore LAC’s Discover Blog, which is rich with fascinating and inspiring stories of Black history in Canada.
Happening in the National Capital Region
If you are in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, participate in the Art from the Archives paint workshop, where you will recreate a late 19th-century portrait from the collection.
Mary Ann Shadd Cary Co-lab challenge
Preserve the legacy of Mary Ann Shadd Cary—a trailblazer as the first Black woman to publish and edit a newspaper in North America. Help transcribe, tag, translate, or describe scanned documents about her life through the Mary Ann Shadd Cary Co-Lab challenge. Your contributions will bring her story to life for future generations!
Research and resources
LAC offers a wealth of resources to support your research and help tell your story. Use our online tools to delve into the family history and genealogy of Black Canadians, or reach out to our reference or genealogy experts for personalized assistance.
Learn more
Visit the February is Black History Month web page to discover additional resources and learn more about Canada’s Black communities and their significant contributions to shaping our country’s history.
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