To mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, commemorative events were held at the Victoria Armoury on Bay Street. The Society's display featured Pte. Robert Burt Gilbert who joined the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles in Victoria and was with the 103rd Battalion at Vimy Ridge in 1917.    

The Society promoted this event put on by the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Leila Sujir wrote and directed this film. It is a moving portrait incorporating interviews, family footage and archival materials to recount history through the eyes of Jackson's two grandmothers, Rosemary Brown, (1930-2003) and Ruth Horricks-Sujir, (1925-2015). The documentary was intended as a time capsule for Jackson, their grandson, who at the time was 7 years old.

The City of Victoria proclaimed November 18, 2016 as Mifflin Wistar Gibbs Day to commemorate his election to Victoria City Council in 1856. Guests gathered at Victoria City Hall to welcome Mifflin Gibbs back to Victoria; he was here on a book tour to promote his book “Shadow and Light”, self-published in 1902. Gibbs was portrayed by local actor/play-writer Justin Carter, who delivered a compelling and entertaining performance recounting Gibbs’ time here in Victoria. The event included a reception hosted by the mayor. The “book tour” was co-sponsored by the BC Black History Awareness Society, Victoria City Council and the Community Anniversary Grant from Heritage Canada. Image: Justin Carter portrays Mifflin Wistar Gibbs ©BC Black History Awareness Society [caption id="attachment_7524" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Justin Carter[/caption]

With slides and conversation, Beth Cruise, MA University of Alberta, Founder and Executive Director of the Canadian Earth Institute, a certified teacher and a Journal Editor for the international organization, Sustaining All Life (SAL).  At this time, Beth was a Director and Treasurer with BC Black History Awareness Society. Beth presented details about her trip to the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris Nov 30,2015 – Dec 12, 2015; as a delegate with SAL, presenting thirty-two workshops, forums, listening projects and caucuses at the conference.  In her presentation today, Beth talked about the people and work of SAL, perspectives and tools on eliminating racism and racism's connection to climate change.

Did you say "Black" British Columbia? The Politics of Absent Presence between the Black Pioneers and Present Day African Refugees with Professor Handel Kashope Wright. Professor Wright is the Director of the Centre for Culture, Identity and Education, University of British Columbia.  In this presentation he addresses the purpose and effects of erasing a substantial part of Black history. He also names the projects that document Twentieth Century Black BC. There is an urgent need to strongly assert that Black Lives Matter, in historical, contemporary, geographical and political terms, despite constituting a small percentage of the BC population. In 2021, Professor Wright was the keynote speaker for our 2021 Black History Month program - "Putting Black British Columbia to Work". Watch

Through songs and narrative, Lonnie Glass related the story of Lincoln's journey from his pre-Presidential career through the Civil War to his untimely death at the hand of an assassin. Lonnie recorded "Chapter of Night", an American Civil War Prospective in 2010, based on his research and tours in the southern USA. Lonnie is a consummate musician, performer, entertainer, and story teller. This event was in commemoration of the life of Lincoln who was assassinated 150 years ago on April 15, 1865. Poster/images © Lonnie Glass, all rights reserved

Lincoln Alexander had more than a dozen business, provincial and national awards, honours, recognition and titles. This day commemorating him is now celebrated each year. He was recognized, among other reasons, as: One of the first Black men to serve in the Royal Canadian Air Force The first Black Member of Parliament in the House of Commons The first Black federal Cabinet Minister, serving as federal Minister of Labour The first Black Chair of the Worker’s Compensation Board The 24th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1985 to 1991

Toni Boot had been active in her community for many years, serving on various boards including Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen board, Okanagan Basin Water Board, Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Hospital Board and Grasslands Conservation Council of BC. Toni Boot served as a councillor in Summerland, BC for four years and was then elected Mayor in 2018. Image courtesy of Toni Boot

Performed by Lonnie Glass  Lonnie's two passions of music and history were ignited when he toured the southern United States in the 1980's. He has an insatiable appetite for history - it was only a matter of time before he combined his passion for music with his historical knowledge. He's played and sang in bands, began writing songs in the late '80's. He's toured Canada and the U.S. and has recordings in several genres from folk to blues. June 22, 2014

Michelle Jacques was the Chief Curator at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV). She is a curator, art historian, educator and writer; and had previously held positions in the contemporary and Canadian departments at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto. She has taught art history, curatorial studies and art writing at the post-secondary level and was a member of the Visual Arts Program Advisory Committee at Camosun College, She has written extensively for catalogues, journals and other publications. The presentation today is "Building Bridges Through Art" a discussion of past projects and future plans with AGGV. Image courtesy of Michelle Jacques, © all rights reserved

RCMP Sgt. Craig Smith, Author/Historian from Halifax, Nova Scotia will speak about his book “You Had Better Be White by Six A.M.”: The African- Canadian Experience in the RCMP. Since 1999, he has published four books, including The Journey Continues: An Atlantic Canadian Black Experience approved as a resource tool for African-Canadian classes. Smith is also well-known for his activities on behalf of youth. He is a former YMCA Director, Black Hockey & Sports Hall of Fame President and won the Harry Jerome Award in 2012. As the RCMP diversity policing analyst for Nova Scotia, he developed and delivers the African Nova Scotian cultural competency workshops for RCMP members and employees serving in the province.  

BC Black History Awareness Society organized a Leon Bibb Concert at Government House, hosted by the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC, and Lieutenant Governor of BC. The event was also a celebration of Bibb’s 92nd Birthday. Bibb was accompanied by his friend and pianist of 30 years, Bill Sample. Sample said “We did this fantastic show. It couldn’t have been better planned. We played in Victoria at Government House, just he and I. It was a huge crowd. We were piped in no less and the Lieutenant- Governor introduced us.”  More Image: Leon Bibb and The Honourable Judith Guichon cutting his birthday cake on February 7, 2014. Photographer: Beth Cruise, © BC Black History Awareness Society.

In celebration of Women's History Month in Canada, local historian and writer Merna Forster spoke about notable Black women in Canadian History.  The presentation included stories and images of some of the Black women featured in her books; e.g. Georgia Ann Robinson, the first Black female police officer in North American and Mary Ann Shadd, the first Black woman to found, publish and edit a newspaper in Canada.

John Adams is an historian, author, founder and owner-operator of Discover the Past, a company in Victoria, BC that specializes in research, writing, presentations and walking tours. For 17 years, until his retirement in 2004, John was the regional manager for southwestern BC and Vancouver Island for the Heritage Branch, responsible for the overall management of thirteen historic sites, He holds a Masters of Museology, University of Toronto. As a member of the Old Cemeteries Society, Victoria, John co-hosts the annual Ross Bay Cemetery tour of the gravesites of Black pioneers during Black History Month. John has a natural style that is lively and humorous which makes his presentations a memorable experience.

Bart Armstrong, Military Research Specialist. He served in 3 regiments of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves; after 17 years  service, he retired as a Master Warrant Officer.  He has also worked in police and security fields for over a decade and also for 25 years worked in various freelance capacities in journalism. Growing up in a military family as well as his own service fostered his deep interest in Canadian war heroes. His research work is well known in military and historical circles continent-wide. Read our story We honour and remember

On Sunday, June 17th, 2012, at the age of 89, Jerry Bryant performed for our BCBHAS members, families and guests at an afternoon concert to celebrate Father’s Day. Jerry first came to Canada in 1960, moving with his family from Denver, Colorado to Alberta. They then moved to Victoria in 1967. Jerry worked in Victoria at Esquimalt High School, where he taught English and formed the Esquimalt High Jazz Band which took many years of preparation and practice. Jerry had the opportunity to travel to many places with his students, including Ottawa, Los Angeles, Washington and many more destinations.” Bryant taught for 12 years at Esquimalt High and other schools before retiring in 1979. Image Credit: Jerry Bryant celebrates his 90th birthday, April 1, 2013 with family and many friends at Hermann’s Jazz Club, Victoria BC. Photo courtesy of Beth Cruise

This concert at the Metro Theatre featured singer Gergana Velinova, accompanied by Pablo Cardenas performing "A Tribute to Mahalia Jackson", followed by playwriter/actor Justin Carter performing his one-man show "Son of Africville", an autobiographical story of his reunion with his mother in Africville, Nova Scotia. February 10, 2012

In 1858 both the Pierre and Alexander families arrived on Vancouver Island. Corinthia Pierre and Thomas Alexander were married on February 2, 1887. Between 1888 and 1907 they had seven children. Corinthia passed away on March 1, 1939, their daughter Eva died when she was just 1 year,1month old in November 1891. Obituary Colonist March 2, 1939 “Aged Resident Was Born Here Mrs. Corinthia Elizabeth Alexander, 112 Balmoral Road, widow of Thomas Alexander passed away at the Jubilee Hospital yesterday morning. Third daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Pierre, a pioneer family of the city. Mrs. Alexander was seventy years of age and her marriage to Mr. Thomas Alexander took place on February 2, 1887, just a little more than fifty-two years ago. They had a large family of whom six children survive. Mrs. Weltha Kirkbridge, Clifton F. Alexander, Mrs. Mildred Hudlin, Norman Alexander, Chester Alexander, and Barton Alexander. She is survived also by one brother, S.D. Pierre, Tacoma and a sister, Mrs. Louise Pierre Tolliver, Yakima, Wash., and thirteen grandchildren. Mother and daughter are buried in the Pierre family plot at Ross Bay Cemetery (G43W9. The grave marker was funded by BC Black History Awareness Society, City of Victoria , and Old Cemeteries Society

Designation Date: April 20,2009  "Our government is proud to honor a man who worked tirelessly for the local Black Community as a politician, businessman, and defender of human rights”. On February 19, 2017, the plaque was presented to the BC Black History Awareness Society and the City of Victoria. On May 4, 2019 the plaque was unveiled at a ceremony at Irving Park, Victoria, B.C. where Gibbs home was situated. A reception followed at the sxʷeŋ’xʷəŋ taŋ’exw James Bay Library Branch. This library branch also houses the “Mifflin Wistar Gibbs Community Room” opened a year earlier in 2018. Dr. Verna Gibbs, great-great grandniece of Gibbs attended the ceremonies dedicating the room and the unveiling of the plaque. Mifflin Wistar Gibbs 1823-1915 After helping lead the exodus of 800 Black residents from San Francisco in 1858, Gibbs became the recognized leader of their community on Vancouver Island. He strove to make these newcomers a force in colonial politics and, as a member of Victoria City Council; he became the first Black person to hold elected office in British Columbia. This innovative entrepreneur, who invested in mining and trade, also encouraged the integration of Black settlers and advocated for their rights. Though he returned to the United States in 1870, Gibbs remains a revered historical figure in the province’s African-Canadian community. Image: Shayli Robinson, Photographer; BCBHAS Collection

Barack Obama was elected President on November 4, 2008, becoming the first African American to hold this office. He was re-elected in 2012 to serve a second term.