5 amazing black trailblazers you should know year round
CBC Podcasts | Posted: February 28, 2019 8:59 PM | Last Updated: February 28, 2019
Black History Month may be over but the need for inclusive history is not
Black History Month technically ends today, but the creators of The Secret Life of Canada believe black histories should be shared year-round. In the short video above, co-hosts Leah Simone-Bowen and Falen Johnson present five historic black trailblazers with legacies worth celebrating in February and beyond.
Hear all five stories in more detail below.
1) Rosemary Brown
Social worker turned politician Rosemary Brown (1930–2003) was Canada's first black female MPP and the first woman to run for leadership of a federal political party.
2) Jackie Shane
Jackie Shane was a pioneering singer and trans trailblazer that came to prominence during Toronto's bustling Yonge Street music scene during the 1960s. Earlier this month, she died at the age of 78.
3) Eleanor Collins
Eleanor Collins, also known as Canada's first lady of jazz, was the first black person in North America to host a nationally broadcast television series, The Eleanor Show, which began in 1954.
4) John Ware
John Ware was a legendary black cowboy who helped build Alberta's ranching industry. (Please be advised that this shout out contains strong language.)
5) Donald Moore
In the early days of Caribbean migration to Canada, Donald Moore was a leader and critical community organizer. His story is among many highlighted in the episode The Province of Jamaica.