Black History Month at UVic
February is Black History Month. It provides an important opportunity to explore and celebrate the historical and current contributions of Black people in Canada. At UVic, we recognize the many achievements of Black faculty, staff and students. We also acknowledge ongoing work is needed to support racial equity, diversity and inclusion.
Black inclusion and flourishing at UVic
In December 2021, UVic signed the .
Work is underway to meet commitments outlined in the Scarborough Charter through community engagement, the collaborative efforts of the Scarborough Charter Steering Committee and committeed actions through the Equity Action Plan. There are also many individuals and groups across campus working toward these goals.
Learn about Black inclusion and flourishing at UVic.
Members of the Scarborough Charter Steering Committee
(left to right): Tricia Best (co-chair), Kelci Harris (co-chair),
Gabrielle Miller (undergraduate student representative) and
Janine Mayers (staff representative)
UVic events
Feb. 6 - BC Black History: Resilience Amid Racism
Join Jamila Douhaibi, Executive Director of the BC Black History Awareness Society, for , presented by Racial Justice Program (RJP) for Black Law Students. This talk will provide more information on Black history in this province and highlight dates and people referring to law, with images and stories that show the vibrancy of Black people, and how our achievements must be celebrated from hundreds of years ago until today.
Feb. 6, 13 & 27 - Celebrating Black History Month with Food
Come enjoy African and Caribbean inspired dishes at The Cove! University Food Services has partnered with the Scarborough Charter Steering Committee to offer some delicious options for Black History Month. The food will be at the Entree station—menus available soon! ; ;
Feb. 8 & 25 - Journeys of Black Mathematicians
Join the Math and Stats EDI committee for the from the series Journeys of Black Mathematicians.
Feb. 8 - Resistance & Resilience: A Black History Month Cultural Evening
The Royal BC Museum hosts this in collaboration with UVic and the BC Black History Awareness Society. The fashion show will feature local designs and African prints, with UVic students and community members modeling the outfits. Throughout the event, Afro-Canadian history radio capsules, created by UVic students, will be played to share important stories and historical insights.
Feb. 12 - Advancing Black inclusion and addressing anti-Black racism
Join UVic’s Scarborough Charter Steering Committee for . This will be followed by a set of guided reflective questions to ask participants on how we can work together to support further action.
Feb. 25 - Dub Performance as Decolonial Praxis
The annual Lehan Family Activism & the Arts Series in Fine Arts presents award-winning playwright-performer, director-dramaturge and activist-scholar d’bi.young anitafrika, who will speak on the topic of “”. A book launch for their latest collection, dubbin poetry: the collected poems of d’bi.young anitafrika, will follow the talk.
Feb. 27 - Designing Blackness in Digital Gaming
Dr. Kishonna L. Gray will engage the theories, concepts, and frameworks of Black Game Studies at this . Learn why Black folx’ engagement with gaming technologies has a historical origin beyond digital studies that must be explored.
Feb. 28 - Planet Earth Poetry series
Award-winning author and poet, Wayde Compton (Writing), is doing a public reading as part of Victoria’s .
Mar. 1 - African Eloquence Youth Celebration
Join the African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island and the World University Service of Canada () for the 7th Annual . African Eloquence is a cultural pageant that celebrates the vitality of Africa/Caribbean.
Student clubs & advocacy
Resources
- celebrating Black History Month
- Reflection and action guides tailored for UVic students, employees, educators, researchers and campus leaders
- from UVic librarians