April 25th,1858 the Steamship Commodore sailed into Victoria harbour from San Francisco. On board were 35 Black people, the Pioneer Committee, to meet with Governor Douglas. They were free men and women seeking a place where they could raise their families, educate their children, practise their professions, enjoy the results […]
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For more than 30 years BC Black History Awareness Society has hosted a Black History Month program to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of historical and contemporary people of African descent. We have put together another amazing month with annual favorites and some new events. LINK TO OUR […]
The arrival of the Black Pioneers to B.C. in 1858 was designated as a National Historic Event by the Government of Canada on September 22, 1997. This plaque was commissioned by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board and was unveiled on February 20, 2000 at the Shady Creek United Church […]
These women have made history – are making history.Activist, Abolitionist, Athlete, Civic Leader, Community Leader, Creative Artist, Educator, Historian, Judge, Lawyer, Pastor, Pianist, Pioneer, Politician, Teacher, Trailblazer … This year’s theme, Women at Work: Economic Growth Past, Present and Future, highlights the significant contributions women have made to the workforce […]
August 1 1834 is important in Canadian history because the Slavery Abolition Act affected the lives of those enslaved and the lives of their descendants. March 24, 2021: Canada’s House of Commons voted unanimously to officially designate August 1 Emancipation Day. It marks the actual day in 1834 that the […]
A Community Story: Partnering with Digital Museums Canada provides a unique opportunity to further imprint the stories of these pioneers in a lasting way that reaches beyond the boundaries of our provincial neighborhoods and re-affirms the significance of these pioneers in Canadian history for all Canadians. BC Black History Awareness […]
She fostered the values of equality and acceptance; is recognized as a civic leader and pioneer in the development of British Columbia’s music industry. She will always be celebrated for her extensive career as a jazz singer. Not only is she the first black artist in North America to host […]
Learn about these places, spaces, and landscapes that underscore the achievements and contributions of the first 1858 pioneers, their descendants, and the incomers and immigrants of African heritage who have chosen to make their home here.
Saturday, Feb 10th; 1:00 to 4:00 pm at RBCM. Exhibits include images, artifacts, and archival documents.
Thursday, February 22nd 6-9pm, doors open at 5:30 St. Ann’s Academy Auditorium, 835 Humboldt StreetAn evening with Wayde Compton, Author Join us as we continue to celebrate and honour Black History Month with an evening with author and poet Wayde Compton, along with a musical performance by the talented Caleb […]
This bakery business offered an extraordinary variety of biscuits, fancy breads and baked goods for many decades. Moses Rowe Smith arrived in Victoria in 1858 from London, Ontario. He had been engaged in the bakery business there. He set up his bakery on the south side of Johnson Street, but […]
Celebrate the Power and Joy of Words and Music Monday, February 19th 7-9pm, doors open at 6:30Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Ave. TICKETSSuggested minimum donation is $10.00/person In-person ticket sales only at the door BC Black History Awareness Society is thrilled to stage these two exciting performances, ADDENA SUMTER-FREITAG and to […]
Gilbert single-handedly captured a German Officer and 24 of his men at Vimy Ridge. Robert Burt Gilbert was born on July 31, 1887 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Both parents, James Gilbert & Matilda Rogers were born in the U.S. Records show that in 1916 he lived at 846 Fisgard St. Victoria, […]
Thursday, Feb 1st 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Join BCBHAS President Silvia Mangue Alene and BCBHAS Board Members
Sunday, February 4th Central Saanich United Church (formerly Shady Creek Church)7180 East Saanich RoadService starts at 10:15 am Church offering Karen Hoshal, BCBHAS Board Member and a direct descendant of Charles and Nancy Alexander will speak during the service. Charles and Nancy were part of the earliest settlers, arriving in […]
Artist, Dentist, Judge, Juror, Policemen, Politician, Teacher, Television Host. In acknowledging these “Firsts”, we can reflect on the advice Gibbs received, before deciding to migrate to Vancouver Island, from Julia Griffith, the English comrade of abolitionist Frederick Douglass: “What! Discouraged? Go do some great thing.” Here are some “firsts” for […]
It’s here! – a 52-page illustrated publication, BC Black History Timeline, to purchase by donation We launched a BC Black History digital timeline in 2021; and then began receiving requests for a print version. Working with a graphic design firm, we are now offering an illustrated 52-page publication to purchase […]
The Youth Dialogue is a series of three virtual youth dialogues curated to engage 40 young people between ages 15 and 19 with the contents of Worlds Within report. Participants40 youth, between 15 and 19 years of age, as follows:• 20 Black youth• 20 youths of Indigenous, Asian, and other […]
In February 1860 he was the 1st Black to sit as a juror in B.C. Peter Lester moved with his wife Nancy and five children to San Francisco from Philadelphia in 1850, where he was appalled to find that slavery was still a fact of life in the free state […]
Suffragist, abolitionist, devoted daughter, wife, mother; and property owner. While Sydna’s grave at Ross Bay Cemetery is unmarked; her life’s work is indeed remarkable. Our hope is you will consider helping us raise funds to install a grave marker for Sydna Francis. This is her gravesite at Ross Bay Cemetery, […]
Born into slavery, as a child she taught herself to read; travelled from Missouri with her parents, was a pioneer on Salt Spring Island, became a legend, living to the age of 106. Sylvia Estes was born in Clay County, Missouri to parents who were slaves. Her parents and their […]
1st teacher on Salt Spring Island circa 1859 to 1875; one of only 16 public school teachers in the Province at that time. John Craven Jones was the 2nd oldest of three brothers who came to Salt Spring Island in 1859. John's older brother is William Allen who settled in […]
The 1st professional Black artist, working and living in the Pacific North West, British Columbia and California. In addition to his oil paintings. Brown was also a cartographer and lithographer. The Royal B.C. Museum holds the greatest number of and most significant of Brown's Canadian works and continue to add […]
“Vancouver Citizen of the Century” - Credited with saving at least 29 lives from drowning, including adults and children, as well as teaching three generations of Vancouver children to swim; in 1986 the Vancouver Historical Society formally declared Joe as “Vancouver Citizen of the Century”. Seraphim Joseph Fortes was most […]
Renowned Classical Pianist & Music Educator. “If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart.” Shinichi Suzuki Ruby Sneed was born Ruby Evelyn Proctor on April 30, 1917 in Edmonton Alberta. Her self-educated […]
First black woman athlete to represent Canada in an International competition and the first person from a visible minority to be hired as a teacher by the Vancouver School Board. Born and raised in Vancouver, Barbara grew up in the Grandview neighborhood with her sister and three brothers; she attended […]
The first black person to be named to the B.C. Supreme Court; is recognized as having made significant contributions to judicial and legal education contributing to the development of the law in British Columbia and Canada. Career: 1966 Graduated Peter A. Allard School of Law, UBC. 1974 He was appointed […]
Fastest man on earth … The Harry Jerome International Track Classic is held annually in honour of Harry Jerome, he has inspired a generation of Canadians and has a legacy of athletic excellence and commitment to youth and sport. Harry Jerome: To mark Canada's 150th birthday, 150 noteworthy British Columbian's […]
Politician, feminist, writer, educator, lecturer and mother, Rosemary Brown has contributed much to B.C. and Canada including being the 1st black woman elected to a Canadian Provincial Legislature (B.C) and running for the leadership of the Federal NDP Party in 1975. Rosemary Brown has contributed much to her adopted country […]
renowned singer, song-writer, recipient of the Order of B.C. in 2009, founder of "Step-Ahead" program for youth which was performed in more than 20 schools in Canada ... Leon Bibb, born February 7, 1922 in Louisville, Kentucky, is a former New Yorker who has been living in Vancouver, B. C., […]
On April 11, 1930 George Paris Carter turned 70. Colonist April 11, 1930, page 23: The article included the picture of George and reads: “When Mr. George Paris Carter woke up this morning at his house at 149 St. Lawrence Street, his first thought on gazing out at his sunlit […]