2021 Black History Month Event In Ottawa
Saturday, January 30, 2021
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Virtuel event. Registration at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/opening-ceremony-tickets-136901324547
2021 Ottawa Black History Month Launch & Opening Ceremony. Focusing on the theme “Our Canadian Story: Still on the Front Lines”, to acknowledge and honour people fighting two pandemics : COVID-19 and anti-Black racism, the afternoon’s program will reflect the linguistic and cultural diversity of Ottawa’s Black community. It will include the presentation of the 2021 Black History Month proclamation by Mayor Jim Watson, goodwill messages by various political leaders, the official unveiling of the 2021 Canada Post Black History Month stamps, a special “RBC Top 20 of 2020” feature as well as live performances by local artists. As well, a number of individuals and organizations will receive the Black History Ottawa Community Builder Awards.
Sunday, February 7, 2021
10am – 12pm
Online event on Zoom
Event link (if virtual): https://bit.ly/38wVMdS
Cover charge (if applicable): Free
Afrotechture Presents: Meet the Makers. Afrotechture is a multi-platform experience where consumers can discover and shop for highly curated, artisanal goods made by local Black Artisans. In this session, we will assemble some of the leading Black Makers in our community to explore what’s involved in becoming an Artist or Artisan
Contact person, phone & e-mail: Resa Solomon-St. Lewis, 613-859-6297 info@afrotechture.com
Sunday, February 7, 2021
12:30 to 1:30 pm
Virtual zoom event. Contact organizer to obtain Zoom link
AC Study Community Report Launch in French. African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) communities are disproportionately infected by HIV in Ontario, Canada. They constitute only 5% of the population of Ontario yet account for 25% of new diagnoses of HIV. The aim of this study is to understand underlying factors that augment the HIV risk in ACB communities and to inform policy and practice in Ontario.
Contact person: haoua@aco-cso.ca or 613-238-5014 ext: 237
Sunday, February 7, 2021
2 pm to 4 pm
Location: Free Virtual event. Contact organizer to obtain Zoom link
AIDS Committee of Ottawa presents: Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Forum. Workshop will include historical context of Anti-Black racism and how doing Anti-Black racism work is doing HIV work, intersectionality of Anti-Black racism and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS for the Black community, what actions can community members and organizations take etc
Guest Speaker: Dr. Roberta Timonthy.
Contact Person: cory@aco-cso.ca or 613-238-5014 ext: 227
Website: www.aco-cso.ca
Monday, February 8
7 pm
https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/canadian-black-history-making%C2%A0-youth-panel
Canadian Black History in the Making : Youth Panel
Join us for an inspiring evening and a chance to meet three remarkable young women, Laura Doyle Péan, Awa Hanane Diagne and Odobie Mcallister, who will talk about their courageous leadership projects and the challenges they had to overcome. All before the age of 20! Whether you are a Teen or a Young Adult, you will be inspired!
7-9pm
Virtual event:Register here! https://www.inourtongues.ca/upcoming-gatherings
In Our Tongues Reading and Art Series Black History Month celebrations. This virtual event (via Zoom) will feature poetry, prose and musical performances by El Jones, spoken word poet, educator, journalist, community activist, former Halifax Poet Laureate and Canadian National Slam Champion; Tiyahna Ridley-Padmore author of the ground-breaking Trailblazers: The Black Pioneers Who Have Shaped Canada, together with Merryl-Royce Ndema-Moussa, illustrator; and Afro-Indigenous musician and hip-hop artist Justin “Jah’kota” Holness, owner and founder of TR1BE Music. In Our Tongues showcases, nurtures, and advances Black, Indigenous and People of Colour artists. Free admission, but suggested donations of $5 are welcome.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
7:00 pm
Online. Registration required.
The Day My Students Met Mandela: Nelson Mandela’s Remarkable 1998 Visit to Ottawa. Talk by Wendy Alexis.
At the time of Nelson Mandela’s 1998 visit to Ottawa, it had been 8 years since his release from prison and 4 years since his election as President of South Africa. Wendy Alexis’ young students — from a mix of vastly varied cultural and racial backgrounds — were thrilled beyond imagination to be chosen to greet this world-acclaimed hero. Join us as award-winning educator Wendy Alexis describes the events and emotions of that incredible day.
Visit our website for full details and the link to pre-register for our February HSO Speaker Series: https://www.historicalsocietyottawa.ca/activities/events/
Wednesday, February 10, 1 pm: Elementary School-aged students https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/event/tracking-black-canada-elementary-school-aged-audience
Thursday, February 11, 11 am: Teens and Young Adults https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/tracking-black-canada
Tracking Black Canada
Join us for a virtual performance by Omari Newton that combines video, music, Slam Poetry, Hip Hop, stand-up comedy to highlight contributions made by residents in Black communities that have disappeared, and how their impact is still felt today.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
7pm
Virtual event.
Join award-winning novelists Edem Awumey and Blaise Ndala in a lively conversation, moderated by author Kalula Kalambay, on what it means to be Black in Canada today.
This Black History Month, join two award-winning local authors for their perspectives on what it means to be Black in Canada. Edem Awumey is the author of five novels, including Port-Mélo (2006), which won the Grand prix littéraire d’Afrique noire, and Explication de la nuit (2013). Its English translation, Descent into Night, won the Governor General’s Literary Award in 2018. Blaise Ndala has written three novels, Dans le ventre du Congo (2021), Sans capote ni kalachnikov (2019) and J’irai danser sur la tombe de Senghor (2014), which has been optioned for film. Together, they will read excerpts of their works, while engaging in a lively discussion with moderator and author Kalula Kalambay about their experiences as Black Canadians.
In French with simultaneous translation in English. Free. Registration required: https://www.historymuseum.ca/event/an-evening-with-edem-awumey-and-blaise-ndala/
Saturday, February 13, 2021
3pm – 4:30pm
Black History Month Celebration by NewLife Women’s World Forum (A division of NewLife Project Inc). Topic: ‘Great lessons from our ‘Sheroes” Let’s learn from Women who have made a difference in our world:
-How did they achieve their dreams and what was their motivation? -What do we need to learn from them and how can we implement their great examples into our Women’s World today? Register on Eventrbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/137377129693
More info about Women’s World: https://shop.newlifeprojectinc.org/pages/women-s-world
Tuesday, February 16
7 pm
https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/fr/forging-hope-out-uncertainty-first-voice
Forging Hope out of Uncertainty : A First Voice
Join us for an evening with Biba Tinga, a first voice from the Black community. Biba will share her experience as a mother emigrating from Niger, her challenges and her life journey from Niger to immigrating to Canada and adapting to life in a new country. Many who are immigrants to Canada themselves and those who have helped immigrants will be inspired by Biba’s story.
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
6pm
Free Virtual event on Zoom
Event link: Register via our website https://afrocanadianchamber.ca/
Afro Canadian Chamber of Commerce (ACCC) presents:Increasing Black Business Opportunities. Due to the unprecedented challenges and hardships of the past year, many small businesses are on the brink of closure. The Afro Canadian Chamber of Commerce wants to provide your business with an opportunity to learn about how to access a MicroLoan fund available to Black businesses and highlight some procurement opportunities while reflecting on the history of Black businesses in Canada. Sign up through our website to participate in this event. Let’s work together to rebuild our businesses and our future.
Contact person: Yetunde Owolabi / Phone : 613-712-7290/ E-mail : yetty@afrocanadianchamber.ca / Website: https://afrocanadianchamber.ca/
Thursday, February 18, 2021
7pm
Virtual event
This Black History Month, join well-known Canadian author and activist Desmond Cole for his perspective on what it means to be Black in Canada. Also a journalist and broadcaster, Desmond Cole was the subject of the 2017 CBC documentary, The Skin We’re In. His first book, The Skin We’re In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power, was published in 2020. CBC Journalist Adrian Harewood will moderate, engaging in a lively discussion of their experiences as Black Canadians.
In English with simultaneous translation in French. Free. Registration required.: https://www.historymuseum.ca/event/an-evening-with-desmond-cole/
Jeudi 18 février à 19 h
Perspectives sur la littérature afro-canadienne et francophone
À l’occasion du Mois de l’histoire des noirs au Canada, la BPO a invité les auteurs franco-ontariens Didier Leclair et Guy Bélizaire à participer à une table ronde virtuelle animée par Gabriel Osson, écrivain et animateur. Cette discussion promet d’être vive et engagée. Joignez-vous à nous!
Saturday, February 27
1:30 pm in English https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/event/breakdancing-workshop-bboyizm-dance-company
Samedi 27 février
15 h 30 en français https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/event/breakdancing-workshop-bboyizm-dance-company
Join a member of Bboyizm Dance Company for a unique chance to learn the fundamentals of b-boying (and b-girling) and hip-hop culture! Ages 9-12 / Joins-toi à un membre de la compagnie de danse Bboyizm pour une chance unique d’apprendre les différentes techniques du breakdance la culture hip-hop! Pour les 9 à 12 ans.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
4.30-6pm.
Virtual event
weSpeak ‘Love’: Frank discussion by African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) men in Ottawa. Objective: To promote Black men’s health using evidence from ‘weSpeak’ research project. Speakers: Dr Bagnini Kohoun & Pastor Francis Ukposidolo. Moderator: Professor Josephine Etowa. Facilitator: Dr Ikenna Mbagwu
Info & registration: website: www.cadho.ca ; www.co-creath.ca
Friday, February 26, 2021
4pm-5pm
Free virtual event. Zoom link provided by organizer.
Canadians of African Descent (CADHO) in partnership with CO-CREATH lab, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa presents:Let’s talk ‘health eating’ among Canadians of African Descent (CAD) during the pandemic.
This is one-hour virtual community conversation with a goal of providing evidence-based information to facilitate healthy food choices in the ACB communities. Guest Speaker: Ms Maylinda Bernard-Hovington, Registered Dietitian. Moderator: Ms Joy Osiagwu, Chair, CADHO Communication Committee. This event is sponsored by CADHO and CO-CREATH lab, at uOttawa.
Phone contact: Dr Bagnini Kohoun, CADHO, President. via, email at: bkohounc@gmail.com
More Events on Black History Ottawa Website