Events Archive – BC Black History Awareness Society

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The themes of our events include Recognizing and Celebrating People and Historic Events through recognition, commemorative plaques and refurbishing grave markers; Arts and Culture with concerts, art exhibits, visual displays; Guest Speakers on topics that are of local, national and international interest and a Black History Month Program. We routinely collaborate with organizations such as Belfry Theatre, Greater Victoria Public Library, Royal BC Museum and Archives, cultural organizations, local and provincial governments. Check our History of Events/Event archive for all previous events including access to the event recordings/videos.

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For more than 25 years we’ve hosted a Black History Month program.

In Canada National Recognition of Black History Month happened in 1995, when Jean Augustine, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, requested and received unanimous agreement of the House of Commons Motion. “That this House take note of the important contribution of Black Canadians to the settlement, growth and development of Canada, and the diversity of the black community in Canada, and its importance to the history of this country, and recognize February as Black History Month”.

Annual Favorites

Here are three annual favorites that take place during Black History Month; “BC Black History and Heritage Day”, “Ross Bay Cemetery Guided Tour” and a gallery of many of the performers at our “Celebrate Black History with Music” event!

table with numerous books, magazines, brochures, free-standing poster at back with images, maps, text — **Black History and Heritage Day** includes displays, information, artifacts and an opportunity to meet and talk with direct descendants about their stories and family history, members of our Society, and representatives from other societies such as Old Cemeteries Society, Saanich Pioneers Society, and Victoria Genealogical Society.

Group of about 30 people, women, men and youth, wearing coats/hats gathered around gravesites at Ross Bay Cemetery, speaker stands in front of one of the grave markers, grass underfoot, trees in background — **Ross Bay Cemetery Guided Tour** reveals the life and experiences of some of the Black pioneers, their descendants and others who played a key role in the migration of Black people to B.C. in 1858. The tour is co-hosted by Dr. Valin Marshall, previously a BCBHAS Director and now a life-time member of our Society and John Adams, Old Cemeteries Society member and owner-operator of Discover The Past Tours, Victoria. Watch the 2021 tour

Concerts – Celebrating Black History with Music and Spoken Word!
Since February 2013 we have held a concert at Belfry Theatre with funding from the Government of Canada, the support of the Belfry Theatre Society and for many years in partnership with Greater Victoria Public Library. In 2021 we went livestream with Pablo Cardenas at Hermann’s Jazz Club with an evening of the iconic music of Oscar Peterson. In 2022 we were back at the Belfry with Louise Rose and Dawn Pemberton for an in-person and livestream concert.

Visit the BC Black History Awareness Society Event History and Archive

Many of our events are supported through grants and programs of the federal and provincial governments

Government of Canada mark — Government of Canada