“To me, Black History Month means looking back at the history of Black people in Canada and around the world. It is a month to honour the sacrifices of our ancestors and celebrate the leaders and pioneers, who have paved the way and/at least made it a little straighter for other black people to survive and thrive. It is also a month to focus on changing hearts and minds, increasing understanding and dialogue about our experience as Black people not just historically but now/today. It is a month to remember that we never stop advocating for greater equity, diversity, and inclusion. It’s a month to show Black people some extra love. We want to see a Canada, Alberta, and Calgary where diversity, equity and inclusion is not seen as a threat or an add-on to organisations but as an integral component in the building of stronger, more effective, and happier teams and profitable and impactful organisations”.

– Dr. Nketti Johnston-Taylor, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Economics

“To me, Black History Month means taking the time to recognize the key roles Black people played in our history and also taking the time to learn, share and celebrate Black change makers who made and continue to make a difference in our lives, communities, and world. We must recognize and celebrate the diversity of these contributions, from ground-breaking innovations to policy change and cultural trends. It is so important to acknowledge and shed a light on our stories, especially the stories that are often buried, forgotten and/or displaced. It’s without a doubt, our Black history continues to – and will always – shape the future. And that is worth celebrating, every day.”

– Patience Mbwizhu, Senior Development Officer

“To me, Black History Month is a time for reflection on the struggles, impact and history that Black men and women have had around the world and right here in Alberta.

Alberta has such a rich history with early Black settlers that unfortunately doesn’t get talked about enough and Black History Month is a way to amplify these stories and these communities to ensure that we continue to remember and acknowledge the significant contributions that they have had to our lives and our communities.”

– Adam Bowen, Team Lead, Communications, Marketing & Media

Dr. Jocelyn Williams, Associate Professor of English recommends:

Esi Edugyan’s Washington Black (2018) is historical fiction and alongside Ian Williams’ Reproduction (2019)—a much more contemporary Black experience novel, “the two books invite the reader to bear witness to honest accounts of suffering and joy they may not have understood are the lives of their neighbour. The novels are unsentimental yet full of love and pain, and you won’t want your relationship with the characters to end. Both books are ultimately about freedom; until you read, you may have misunderstood or underestimated its chains.” Note: both of these novels were Giller prize winners.

Dr. Luke Bresky, Associate Professor of English also recommends:

Nellar Larsen’s Passing (1929): “probably the novel that captures the “moment” of the Harlem Renaissance better than any other.”
Note: Rebecca Hall directed last year’s thoughtful film version, starring Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson).

Colson Whitehead’s Underground Railroad (2016): “a speculative novel in which the historical antislavery networks and routes formed to help fugitive slaves escape to Northern states (in some cases to Canada) are reimagined as literal, underground trains.”
Note: Underground Railroad: the remarkable TV miniseries on Amazon Prime is directed by Oscar-Winner Barry Jenkins.