Black History Month

Humber College has organized a musical celebration for black history month. The Toronto Mass Choir will perform with the Humber Gospel Choir, Soul Nation and Beverly-Jean Daniel. Humber music professor Brad Klump is excited about the festivities. “It should be a wonderful celebration of the contributions of black musicians in Canada and abroad,” Klump says. “We want to get the word out that the event is open to everybody and admission is free.”

The concert is Friday, Feb. 12 at 8pm in the A building auditorium on the Lakeshore Campus. The full address is 3199 Lakeshore Blvd. W – A Building.

Humber’s Lakeshore Campus Principal Wanda Buote wants as many students to attend.

“We hope to have a large crowd.” Buote says. “We’ve invited the community all our partners to come and join in on this free concert.”

Wanda Buote Principal, Lakeshore Campus

Every February Canadians celebrate the rich, diverse and tumultuous history of black Canadians. The city of Toronto has organized a series of events to celebrate Black History Month. The first of these events is The Black History Month Kick Off Gala taking place Jan. 29 at the Toronto Reference Library Atrium.

Other events happening in February include “Before the 6ix”, a panel on Toronto’s music community before Drake’s international success. Black History Month Movie Night happens Feb. 5 at the Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre from 6 to 9pm. The film is to be considered.

Ontario officially proclaimed February 1993 as black history month to commemorate the 200^th anniversary of a law banning slaves. Since then Black History Month was celebrated with unofficial status. The government of Ontario has proclaimed February 2016 as Black History Month with official status.

The Liberal government says it will introduce legislation to proclaim every February as Black History Month.