NACHA acknowledges and celebrates Black History Month, and encourages its member co-operatives to listen, learn, reflect, discuss and honour black culture, the achievements and challenges faced by Black Canadians throughout their history in Alberta and in Canada.
There are a number of festivities and events in the Edmonton area celebrating Black excellence to mark Black History Month. Below are some events and resources we have curated for this year’s BHM celebrations.
Resources
Black Albertans you should know
CBC’s Black on the Prairies Series
The legacy and impact of organizations led by Black women in Canada
Significant events in Black history in Canada
National Black Coalition of Canada Society – Edmonton Chapter
And Still We Rise: A Black Presence in Alberta, late 1800s – 1970s
Black History Month: Digital Toolkit
Videos
Secret Alberta: The Former Life of Amber Valley
Proud of our History
Harriet Tubman: Humanitarian. Leader. Hero
The Story of Viola Desmond
We Are the Roots: Black Settlers and their Experiences of Discrimination on the Canadian Prairies (Vimeo)
Events
Feb 10 – 17
Edmonton’s first city-wide dining week to feature the Black community, including more than 15 Black-owned restaurants, food retailers and makers, showcasing flavours from Jamaica, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Nigeria, Trinidad and more. Expect price fixe menus and retail bundles between $10 and $50.
Feb 15
Edmonton Oilers Black History Month Game vs. Detroit Red Wings
Proceeds from the Edmonton Oilers Foundation 50/50 will go to the Sickle Cell Foundation of Alberta, which is also holding a silent auction to awareness and funding for people with sickle cell disease, which occurs more often among people from regions of the world where malaria is common.
Feb 16
BHM23: What’s it like to grow up Black in BC? Themes from Invisible Boy with Harrison Mooney
Harrison Mooney, author of the critically acclaimed memoir, Invisible Boy, will speak about his book and life experiences.
Feb 18
Melanin Narratives VII: Storytelling – Past, Present, Future
TheComeUp and Africa Centre presents a free event features live performances, art displays, and a buffet dinner at Sugar Swing Ballroom.
Gospel Concert Musical Culture Show
Edmonton Chapter of the National Black Coalition of Canada presents a musical extravaganza to celebrate Black History Month 2023.
Feb 18 – 26
Hottest Winter Experiences: The Afro x Latin Fest
La Connexional presents a collection of tropical-inspired winter festival events held around the city, celebrating African, Black, Caribbean and Latin cultures through music, food, dance, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Feb 19
Bob Marley Tribute
Edmonton Reggae Festival Society presents an intimate performance at Naked Cafe, where a small group of select musicians will hold an “unplugged” style performance in honour of Bob Marley.
Feb 20
The Black Family Past and Present
Congress of Black Women of Canada — Edmonton and Africa Centre presents a free African-Caribbean Family Day event at the Africa Centre with a variety of musical, dance and spoken word performances highlighting African, Canadian and Caribbean peoples both past and present. African and Caribbean food will be served.
Feb 23
Art Exhibition
HIV Edmonton presents an art exhibition at Norquest College to celebrate the resilience, culture and identity of African, Caribbean and Black Canadians while also promoting awareness about basic HIV information.
A Celebration of Black Leadership
The Africa Centre presents a cocktail-style event of networking and performances, celebrating emerging young black leaders in the Edmonton community. The event will recognize the 1st and 2nd cohort participants who have successfully completed Africa Centre’s Ujima Fellowship Program.
Feb 24
ANZA Black Youth Entrepreneurs Event
African Canadian Civic Engagement Council presents a free event at the Santa Maria Goretti Centre in partnership with the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work. An evening of African Indigenous storytelling, showcasing youth businesses, live performances, and a dinner. The ANZA Black Entrepreneur Ecosystem program helps youth (18-30) to take business plans from ideas to fruition.
Black History Month Gala: Cultural Resilience in Black Arts
The University of Alberta Black Students’ Association presents a gala and afterparty at the Leefield Community League celebrating the cultural history of the various forms of Black arts in the diaspora, highlighting the diverse artistic cultures encompassing the various African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) communities in Edmonton.
Feb 25
Business Brunch Talk & Mixer
The Africa Centre presents a brunch event to foster discussions about business and entrepreneurship in Alberta. Attendees have a chance to win 1 of 3 hampers containing goods from Black owned businesses in Alberta.
Celebrating Canadian Women of African Descent Gala
When African Women Talk presents a black-tie gala at the Edmonton EXPO Centre commemorating Black History Month by bringing together women of African descent and allies from across Alberta to engage in dialogue about systemic racism, with a focus on the critical issues and proposed solutions that can help to dismantle these systems.