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More Than a Month: Black History

  • The Roar Report
  • Mar 12
  • 4 min read


Written by Daniel Austin, Jaime Laurenson, and Mikayla Mudzengi 


Every February, Canadians are given the opportunity to pause, reflect, and recognize the lasting impact of Black History Month. February is a month dedicated to honoring the legacies, achievements, and resilience of black individuals and communities. It started with a week-long celebration known as “Negro History Week” which was established in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, and it eventually evolved and was extended into Black History Month in 1970. Black History Month not only honors the achievements and resilience of black communities, but also reminds us of their ongoing influence in shaping Canadian society today.


Black leaders had a massive impact on the representation of justice and equality in history. Examples of these include Martin Luther King Jr, who led the fight against segregation through peaceful protests and contributed to the establishment of laws such as the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act in 1965. And Mary Ann Shadd Cary, the first black woman to publish a newspaper in North America. Both of them spoke out strongly against racism and encouraged black people to stand up for their rights and defend themselves. His powerful speeches inspired many people, and helped strengthen the civil rights movement. Through these leaders, laws were changed, and society evolved to provide more freedom to people of color today. Because of these they are able to go to school, get jobs and have equal rights with everyone else.


Despite all the struggles and hardships black people have been put through, they still managed to rise, fight against oppression, and become great in many different fields. On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson made his debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers and went on to win the Rookie of the Year award. As another example, Kamala Harris became the first Black U.S. Vice President in 2021, a great achievement, but, sadly, it took so long to be achieved. Gladys West invented the GPS in the 1980s, creating an innovation still used and very important today. They persevered through obstacles put in their way and still all became something great. The thing is, we named only a few of the people with great achievements. So many black people have persevered, innovated, and fought. The reason these achievements are celebrated is because of how hard they had to fight. In every field, they made their actions count in sports, politics, innovation, and science. Although they had the help of the Civil Rights movement, these achievements are still monumental, paving the way for other black people to become their own person and possibly become an athlete like LeBron, a scientist like Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, an innovator like Gladys West, or an actor like Morgan Freeman. Black History Month isn’t just a month; it's a monument of revolution.


When it comes to the origin of Black History Month we often think that most of its history is all in America, but it's actually not. Canada played a big role in its upbringing. And when you learn more about our history you will realize that Black History Month is essential to Canada’s history. It recognizes over 400 years of contributions from people of African heritage, who have shaped Canada’s culture and identity since Mathieu Da Costa (The first recorded black person to reach Canada.)  arrived in the early 1600s. And as of now Black History Month has been officially recognized in Canada for 30 years, since December of 1995. To understand its true significance, we must also reflect on important chapters in Canada’s past like the Underground Railroad and the freedom seekers who made Canada their home, like Harriet Tubman, Josiah Henson, Lucie and Thorton Blackburn, Joshua Glover, and Henry Bibb. Along with civil rights activists like Viola Desmond who challenged segregation in Canada, by refusing to move from the “whites only” section of the main floor of the Roseland Theatre. All of these black Canadians and many more have helped shape our country’s culture, politics, and communities, leaving lasting legacies that continue to influence the values of equality, resilience, and diversity that define Canada today.


The stories we honor during Black History Month are not just moments from the past, but foundations of our present. And it remains essential to honor the profound, often overlooked contributions of black people to global history, culture, and society. That’s why it’s so important to learn and spread awareness about black history month. By taking the time to educate ourselves and reflect, we help ensure these contributions are remembered and valued not just in February, but every day of the year. Black history is not just something we remember, it is something we continue to build.



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