CBC offers special programming in honour of Emancipation Day, Aug. 1

In recognition of Emancipation Day, CBC has special programming to celebrate, educate and reflect on what freedom means.

Emancipation Day commemorates the abolition of slavery across the British Empire on Aug. 1. On that historic day in 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act came into effect, freeing more than 800,000 people of African descent in Canada and throughout the British Empire.

This year, the House of Commons voted unanimously to designate Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day across Canada. 

To mark the day, Being Black in Canada, CBC Gem and CBC Arts will provide the following programming:

WATCH
FreeUp! Emancipation Day 2021
CBC Gem, YouTube, Aug. 1, 1 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. AT / 2:30 p.m. NT

FreeUp! Emancipation Day 2021 is a youth-led celebration of spoken word, dance, theatre and music, as we gather together to celebrate freedom. Join CBC Arts on Sunday, Aug. 1 at 1 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. AT / 2:30 p.m. NT on CBC Gem and YouTube.

Black artists across Canada joining in the Emancipation Day 2021 celebration include: Aquakultre, a.k.a. Lance Sampson, Bukola, Peace Akintade, Tawiah M'Carthy, Silla & Rise, Anyika Mark & Nathan Baya, Luke Reece, Shah Frank, Randell Adjei, Wayne Tennant, Michie Mee, Haviah Mighty, Hollywood Jade, d'bi.young anitafrika, with host Ngozi Paul.
 

Available on CBC Gem, The Black Stories Collection showcases Black creators and stories from Canada and around the world. 

THE COLLECTION INCLUDES:

THE BOOK OF NEGROES
Miniseries - stream now on CBC Gem
A six-part miniseries that follows the harrowing journey of Aminata Diallo and her return home after being forced into slavery as a child.

AFRICA & BRITAIN: A FORGOTTEN HISTORY
Series - stream now on CBC Gem
This landmark four-part series presents a new history of Britain with Black people written back into its pages. Spanning from Roman times to the present.

ALSO ON CBC GEM:

ENSLAVED
Six-episode series - stream now on CBC Gem
Samuel L. Jackson, along with a team of investigative journalists and divers, uncovers the hidden history of the transatlantic slave trade.
 

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.