Ways to mark Black History Month
Jan. 25, 2023
Feb. 1 marks the start of Black History Month. Many of the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians have been erased or excluded from our national narrative, and this is an opportunity to acknowledge, value and celebrate them.
It’s also a chance to recognize the transformative work of Black Canadians today and to give visibility to the people and organizations creating meaningful change.
There are a number of ways you can honour the legacy of Black Canadians and their communities and recommit to your own learning this month – and every day.
Attend an event at the college or in your community
Here are a few upcoming Black History Month events at Georgian. Please check back as more may be added.
Open to students and employees:
Building Inclusive Communities: 2SLGBTQIA+ Allyship Training
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m. to noon
This in-person session hosted by the Centre for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDI&B) at the Barrie Campus will provide you with a baseline level of confidence to engage further in your own learning. We’ll review a shared vocabulary and comfort with key concepts, so you’ll feel better equipped to talk about intersectional 2SLGBTQIA+ issues in the workplace, action allyship effectively, and be poised to deepen your knowledge on how to build safer spaces for everyone.
Building Inclusive Communities: Recognizing and Combatting Microaggressions
Friday, Feb. 3, 9 to 11 a.m.
This in-person session hosted by the Centre for EDI&B at the Barrie Campus will examine the nature of microaggressions and how they often manifest in the workplace and our classrooms. We’ll offer tips and tools to assist in intervening and provide the opportunity for discussions via a facilitated group exercise.
Centre for EDI&B and partners book club
Begins Wednesday, Feb. 1, noon to 1:30 p.m. (continues Wednesdays at the same time on Feb. 8, 15 and 22)
The Centre for EDI&B will host a close read and discussion of The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet, which won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction (2020).
This compelling novel weaves together multiple strands and generations of a family. The club will meet both in-person at the Barrie Campus and via Microsoft Teams (hybrid format).
Book copies are in bookstores and several local libraries, including on reserve in the Georgian library.
If you’re interested in participating but accessing the book is a barrier, please email edibcentre@georgiancollege.ca.
Celebrate Black History Month with food, art and music!
Drop in at one of the campuses below from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and celebrate Black History Month with food, art and music.
Join us on:
- Tuesday, Feb. 14 – Owen Sound Campus, in the main hallway in front of the library
- Friday, Feb. 17 – Barrie Campus, in the main hall, second floor of C building
- Tuesday, Feb. 21 – Orillia Campus, in front of the library
Everyone will also have a chance to add their mark to the diversity tapestry – a canvas covered by the imprints of people’s hands in a variety of colours: white, beige, red, brown and black. Depicting the diversity and unification at Georgian.
Open to employees only:
Learning Circle
Starts Thursday, Jan. 19, 10 to 11:30 a.m. (runs every other Thursday at the same time until March 2)
The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and Centre for EDI&B will host a collaborative learning circle that explores the book Subtle Acts of Exclusion: How to understand, identify and stop microaggressions by Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran.
Learn how microaggressions and subtle acts of exclusion can show up in our workplaces and classrooms and how we can build our collective capacity to combat them and remedy the harm they cause.
The circle will meet in person at the Barrie Campus and via Microsoft Teams (hybrid format), facilitated by Dr. Eleanor Gittens, Professor, and Sula Leveque, Director, EDI&B.
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack
Friday, Feb. 3, 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.
Gain an understanding of how white privilege manifests in society and has shaped your own lived experience. We’ll examine Peggy McIntosh’s work White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack and explore how white privilege has contributed to anti-Black racism.
You’ll learn how to help combat anti-Black racism by standing in solidarity with members of Black communities.
The session will be held via Webex and facilitated by Professor Madelaine Khan.
Educate yourself
Learning about the experiences of Black friends, colleagues, neighbours and community members extends far beyond Black History Month.
We encourage you to sustain a commitment to change all year by:
- Reading articles and books
- Watching documentaries
- Listening to Black-led podcasts
Not sure where to start?
Begin here: Educational resources on racism and anti-Black racism
Looking for some great reads during Black History Month?
Librarians and staff in Library and Academic Success have pulled together a great list of collections to amplify Black voices and want to share it with the Georgian community. Check it out below!
Amplify
Share Black voices.
Celebrate Black accomplishments.
Promote Black-owned businesses.
Get involved
Learn how you can support Black-led organizations or volunteer for initiatives in your community.
Georgian’s Centre for EDI&B
One of the ways Georgian is furthering its commitments is through the Centre for EDI&B, made possible thanks to a $400,000 grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
Check out the EDI&B website to learn about initiatives and opportunities.
Partnership with Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
Georgian is a proud member of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. Through this partnership, students and employees have access to many great resources and supports, including:
- a monthly newsletter, Diversity Ink
- a Knowledge Repository with articles, reports and videos
- free monthly webinars
Together, and with the support of community members and allies, Georgian is cultivating a learning and working environment where everyone feels seen, heard, valued and knows they belong – where every voice is welcome and matters. This is reflected in our demonstratable, accountable and system-wide commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, decolonization and anti-racism. I’m personally committed to this work, and I hope all students and employees will consider how they can unlearn, learn and celebrate the achievements of Black Canadians during Black History Month and every day.
Kevin Weaver, President and CEO
Originally published Jan. 10; re-shared Jan. 25