See what’s happening
February is Black History Month. While we should celebrate Black history and excellence every day, this is an opportunity for a focused, intentional and elevated reflection and recognition of Black history and achievement – and the many historical and contemporary contributions of Black Canadians, Black British Columbians and Black students, faculty and staff at UBC.
Featured UBC Events
February 1–29, 2024
Lighting the Ladner clock tower and University Commons
To raise visibility of and recognize Black History Month, the Ladner Clock Tower and University Commons outside of the AMS Nest will be lit up in red, yellow and green.
February 1–29, 2024
Pop-up Museum at Kaiser Atrium
Browse the pop-up exhibit in the Kaiser Atrium and rediscover Black history in areas such as engineering, nursing and planning. Visit the online virtual museum to immerse yourself further and engage with recorded discussions on anti-racism in STEM, representation in STEM and personal stories.
February 1–29, 2024
UBC Vancouver Bookstore Black History Display
Expand your understanding and knowledge of Black history and excellence through a selection of books by the UBC Bookstore.
February 1, 2024 | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Black History Month Film Screening: Black Soul and Stateless
This film screening is co-sponsored by UBC Latin American Studies, UBC Film Society, and UBC Department of History, collaboration with the National Film Board.
February 7, 2024 | 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Between Reparations and Freedom
In The Long Emancipation, Dr. Rinaldo Walcott posits that Black people globally live in the time of emancipation and that emancipation is definitely not freedom. This talk tackles the question, ‘What is (Black) freedom?’.
February 8, 2024 | 6:30 pm
Sara Gómez Documentary Shorts
In celebration of Black History Month, The Cinematheque is partnering with the Vulnerable Media Lab and the Department of Latin American Studies at UBC to present an evening of newly restored films by Sara Gómez, including three short documentaries and her narrative feature One Way or Another. The evening will begin with an introduction by Arturo Victoriano and Crystal Webster, both faculty at UBC.
February 10, 2024 | 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Black Educator Panel
Drawing from their personal and professional lived experiences, panelists will focus on the actions needed to build anti-racist cultures in education communities. They will invite attendees to challenge conscious and unconscious anti-Black biases and take action to make the system more accountable and inclusive for all. The panel will include a Q&A session with attendees.
February 13, 2024 | 5 pm – 7 pm
Redefining Resilience: Navigating Black Masculinity in Mental Health
The AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre and the UBC Black Student Union are collaborating to center meaningful discussions on Black mental health, community accountability and healing while celebrating the diversity of experiences within the Black Community.
February 15 and 16, 2024
MOA Unmasked: Afrofuturism and the Black Speculative Arts Movement
In celebration of Black History Month, take a tour with Ethọ́s Lab creative directors Jazz Groden-Gilchrist and Olúwáṣọlá Kẹ́hìndé Olówó-Aké, and MOA Curator Nuno Porto.
February 21, 2024 | 7:00 pm
Shabaka // Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble
Shabaka Hutchings, leading the British jazz renaissance with his bands Sons of Kemet and the Comet is Coming, is stepping out on his own. For this special concert, Shabaka performs for the first half, with the legendary Kahil El’Zabar and his Ethnic Heritage Ensemble taking over the rest of the night in celebration of their 50 years together.
February 26, 2024 | 10:00 am
UBC Black Caucus Open House
A virtual open house to learn more about UBC Black Caucus.
February 26, 2024 | 12:00 pm
Afrocentric Lunch and Networking Activities
Afrocentric lunch and networking activities with prizes to grab.
February 28, 2024 | 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Beyond Representation: Celebrating Black Excellence in BC Healthcare
Join Vancouver Coastal Health and Faculty of Medicine’s Office of Respectful Environment, Diversity, and Inclusion to learn about and celebrate the important contributions made by Black professionals in BC healthcare. During this session, the panelists will share their experiences navigating the healthcare work environment and emphasize the importance of recognizing and promoting Black excellence in health care.
February 29, 2024 | 7:00 pm
Black History Month Film Screening
Join UBC Latin American Studies for a free screening of short films by Black Canadian filmmakers as part of Black History Month.
February 29, 2024 | 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
UBC’s Black History Month & Culture Celebration
An evening to revive the history of overlooked black academics, scholars, inventors, artists, and activists. Commence Black History Month with the bright hues of the traditional attire from the cultural fashion show, the profound words spoken by local black poets, the rhythm, soul, and beat of live music, and the taste of an East African cusine. An evening to remember.
Are you in a UBC department or student group planning a Black History Month event?
Please connect with us to have your event considered for this page info.events@ubc.ca.
UBC Okanagan Events
Looking for UBC Okanagan Black History Month events or resources?
Visit https://events.ok.ubc.ca/black-history-month/
Featured Community Events
February 2024
Black History Month Events, BC Black History Awareness Society
Join the BC Black History Awareness Society for five public events that recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of historical and contemporary people of African descent.
Black History Month Events in Vancouver, The Georgia Straight
A curated list of arts and culture events in Vancouver that celebrate Black History Month.
February 2–7, 2024
VIFF Black History Month Series: A New Chapter
A New Chapter brings back the made-in-Vancouver festival hit Union Street for a limited engagement at the VIFF Centre (Feb 2-7), presenting the definitive film record of Hogan’s Alley. Additionally, director Jamila Pomeroy has selected two inspiring international films as a sidebar to these screenings: Boots Riley’s Sorry to Bother You, and Suhaib Gasmelbari’s Talking About Trees.
February 8, 15, 22, 29, 2024
VIFF Black History Month Series: Celebrating Black Futures
The Celebrating Black Futures film series brings together Black & African films that reflect the present and exciting future of cinema. In three feature films and a series of shorts, these filmmakers present a contemporary snapshot of the multilateral nature of African, African-American, Caribbean, and Black Canadian culture and cinema.
Are you community group planning a Black History Month event?
Please connect with us to have your event considered for this page info.events@ubc.ca.
Resources and Support
UBC Community Groups
- UBC Black Students Union
- UBCO African Caribbean Student Club
- UBC Black Caucus
- IBPOC Connections
- IBPOC STEM Network
- Colour Connected Against Racism
- Centre for Culture, Identity and Education
- Black Muslim Collective
- UBC Black Law Students’ Association
- UBC African Awareness Initiative
- UBC Black Graduate Student’s Network (BGSN)
Of Interest
Illustrations: blackillustrations.com