Here's what's happening for Black History Month 2025 in Hamilton and area

February marks Black History Month, an opportunity to celebrate and honour the rich cultural heritage, achievements and contributions of Black, Afro Caribbean communities to the diverse cultural landscape of Hamilton and surrounding areas.

Black History Month is celebrated every February to honour Black Canadians

Desmond Brown · CBC News · Posted: Jan 28, 2025 2:00 PM EST | Last Updated: January 28

Black History Month is a chance to celebrate and honour the heritage, contributions and achievements of Black and Afro Caribbean communities.

There are numerous events and initiatives are taking place throughout the month. Here are some to check out.

Hamilton's Annual Black History Month Launch

The official launch of Black History Month in Hamilton takes place on Jan. 31 from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the central branch of Hamilton Public Library.

The launch is being spearheaded by the Hamilton Black History Council in partnership with Black-led organizations, the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Public Library. It will feature:

The Roger and Kareem Ferreira Art Exhibit.
Unveiling of this year's two honourees.
Connect with local vendors and community organizations.

Hamilton Public Library celebrates Black History Month

Hamilton Public Library (HPL) is celebrating Black History Month with several events to recognize the achievements of Black Hamiltonians.

Short Story Book Club: The Short Story Book Club at Central Library on Feb. 4 will discuss James Baldwin's Sonny's Blues. Families can also enjoy Family Storytime at Concession Branch on Feb. 5 and 7, while young creators can craft poems from historical texts during Highlight Poetry sessions at various branches.

Noon Hour Concert Series: HPL invites members of the public to enjoy inspiring music at its Noon Hour Concert Series every Friday. On Feb. 7, you can experience the piano and voice of Dionne R. Grant. Feb.14 features the powerful vocals of Terry Rhodes, and on Feb. 28, Big John and The Night Trippers close the series with an unforgettable performance.

Film screening, live performances and other events:

The library will celebrate jazz legend Thelonious Monk with a film screening and live performances on Feb. 8.
Support young BIPOC entrepreneurs at the BLK Owned Youth Market on Feb. 15.
Youth writers can participate in Write Like … A Literary Comic-Con on Feb. 20.
On Feb. 21, honour Hamilton icon Jackie Washington with a tribute concert by Ken Whiteley at noon, followed by the Write Like – Anthology Launch later that evening.
End the month with Soundscapes of Black Canada on Feb. 27, an interactive listening workshop exploring Black Canadian music.

Celebrating Black History Month at McMaster

On Feb. 3 McMaster University will launch its Black History Month activities under the theme — Diasporic Dreams: Reclaiming Pasts, Shaping the Present, Crafting Futures. The launch will be held at MUSC Atrium from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Dr. Ingrid Waldron invites to you to the launch of Her New Book: From the Enlightenment to Black Lives Matter: Tracing the Impacts of Racial Trauma in Black Communities from the Colonial Era to the Present. The launch will take place on Feb. 12 at Room 204, 1 James Street North.

St. Catharines Black History month launch — Several events are on the calendar to celebrate Black History Month in St. Catharines. (Downtown St. Catharines)

John C. Holland Awards

The annual John C Holland Awards will be held on Feb. 22 at the Liuna Station, Grand Station Ballroom, 360 James Street North. Since 1996, the Reverend John C Holland Awards have celebrated excellence in Hamilton's Black community. The Awards celebrate and recognize the academic achievements and aspirations of Black youth by offering scholarships and support to assist them in accessing post-secondary education.

Events all month long in St. Catharines

Feb. 1. Tubman Tours Canada OPEN HOUSE at Salem Chapel BME Church: This event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a tour talk from 12p.m. to 1 p.m. at Salem Chapel BME Church, 92 Geneva St.

Feb. 3 to 28. City Hall & PAC Art Exhibition: Explore art created by Black artists in Niagara that highlight themes of resistance and pride. City Hall is located at 50 Church St., St. Catharines. Admission is free.

Feb. 3 to 28. St. Catharines Public Library Art Exhibition: Celebrate art created by DSBN Kindergarten students. The exhibition takes place at St. Catharines Public Library, 54 Church St., St. Catharines. Admission is free.

Feb. 4. PAC Film Screening: 'We Were Here: The Untold History of Black Africa in Renaissance Europe': Starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Film House at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 250 St. Paul St., St. Catharines, you can discover the untold history of the Black Renaissance in Europe in this captivating documentary. The event includes a post-screening discussion with Fred Kudjo Kuwornu, the acclaimed director of We Were Here and an expert in diversity representation and media. The screening is presented in partnership with Brock's Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and the Marilyn I Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts' Walker Cultural Leaders Series.

Feb. 15. New Paths, Old Stories: Bringing Together Newcomer Stories and Black History: During this free interactive experience, workshop participants will be asked to reflect on their stories in relation to Black stories in the region, and place them pieces of a quilt that will come together and highlight the art made by newcomers and honour Black ancestors, freedom fighters, and Black liberation movements. The venue is The Robby, 85 Church Street, St. Catharines, and the time is 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.