不良研究所

Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate Canada鈥檚 rich history 鈥� a chance to learn about important Black Canadians and celebrate their contributions.

The University of 不良研究所 is celebrating Black History Month through a series of stories and virtual events. Throughout February, U不良研究所 invites the community to share in conversations about anti-racism, art history, literature, mental health and more.

• Photo above: Violet King is presented with a purse by the 不良研究所 local of the International Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in June 1954. Violet King was the first Black Canadian to obtain a law degree in Alberta and the first Black female lawyer in Canada. "Railway porters presentation to Violet King, 不良研究所, Alberta." 1954, The Albertan. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives, Archives and Special Collections

Dr. Malinda Smith, vice-provost, equity, diversity and inclusion, says the month of February is an opportunity to delve into Alberta鈥檚 extraordinarily interesting and complex Black historical experience.

鈥淢ore Canadians should know the names Lulu Anderson and Violet King,鈥� says Smith. 鈥淲hy, as Canadians, do we know American history better than our own history?鈥�

Smith has been instrumental in promoting equity and diversity in research, teaching and learning, to help facilitate inclusive culture. She is a nationally recognized leader in equity, diversity and inclusion.

鈥淏lack History Month is about learning from our experiences, so we don鈥檛 repeat history in a way that excludes Black Canadians and their accomplishments.鈥� Smith says. 鈥淚t's about acknowledging the important stories that helped define our country.鈥� 

Register now for Black History Month events at U不良研究所

Feb 2

• 
  During this event, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a conversation on racism and what it means to be actively anti-racist.

Feb. 4

• 
  Simone is an award-winning Canadian artist, creating hand-tufted textiles of colourful portraiture celebrating womanhood that are rooted in a rich and vibrant Black History. She was included in the Bank of Montreal鈥檚 National 1^st Art! Competition, as the national winner of 2020. 

Feb 5

• 
  During this event, Dr. Nelson will uncover the historical and contemporary forms of Black art across Canada.

• 
  This event will feature a presentation by Dr. Afua Cooper and poetry performances by two dynamic 不良研究所 poets: AloT of Poetry and Nyabuoy.

• 
  In this event, there will be a conversation with Dr. Barrington Walker and Dr. Funk茅 Aladejebi about law, history and education.

Feb. 8

•   
  During this event, Dr. Hardy DeJesus discuss her article and recent research on 鈥淭he N-Word in Academia: The Psychology of Employing an Epithet鈥� by uncovering the historical, social and psychological implications of this term.

Feb 10

•  
  In this interactive discussion, many aspects of Black fatherhood and masculinity will be explored.  

Feb. 11

•  
  Cheryl will introduce her film John Ware Reclaimed with a brief exploration of how the commitment of a small group of women on the University of 不良研究所 campus played a role in getting the story to the screen.

• 
  During this event, join Dr. Regine King to learn about actions Calgarians can take to address the criminalization of Black Canadians. Understand what culturally relevant mental health services look like and how they can contribute to health and equity. 

Feb. 24

• Courageous Conversations: 鈥淯ntold Stories: Black Student Experiences in 不良研究所鈥�
  Dr. Marlon Simmons from the Werklund School of Education at U不良研究所 will be joined by two U不良研究所 students, Dr. Kojo Otoo and Eric Ofori-Atta, to discuss what systems are in place to support university access for Black students. Registration opens soon.

Feb 25

•  
  During this event, Dr. Mayr will be uncovering the value of Black literature and history in Canada and discussing the creative writing process behind her novel-in-progress, The Sleeping Car Porter, a historical novel about a Black, queer railway porter.

• 
  Lawrence Hill is known for his 2007 novel The Book of Negroes, inspired by the Black Loyalists given freedom and resettled in Nova Scotia by the British after the American Revolutionary War, and his 2001 memoir Black Berry, Sweet Juice: on Being Black and White in Canada.

Feb 26

•  
  Join the conversation as the Faculty of Social Work leads a discussion on anti Black Racism initiatives on U不良研究所 campus.