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, 2023 | 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Black Canadian history and Applied Science: Understanding and reconciling the history of our professions
Bashir Mohamed, the EDI.I Coordinator in Applied Science, will give a talk focused on Black Canadian history and how the history relates to our disciplines in Applied Science. Bashir has an interest in Black Canadian history and hopes that the talk will build awareness around the history of applied science professions and how we may reconcile with the legacy of the past.
February 7, 2023 | 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Vivo Per Questo – Power to the Words – Canada Tour
Green College and The French Hispanic and Italian Studies Department will host Afro-Italian hip-hop artist and activist Amir Issaa. Amir will perform a live concert at Green College followed by a Q&A with the artist and a reception where attendees will have a chance to chat informally with our Amir.
February 9, 2023 | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Decolonial Dialogues Series: Cultivating Solidarity Among Indigenous, Black and People of Colour (IBPOC) Students – Sustaining Our Futures Together
Connect with artists and educators Adeerya Johnson, Justin Ducharme, and Minelle Mahtani on moving forward in solidarity as IBPOC students in a safe space.
February 13, 2023 | 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Black Male Initiative February event
February’s event is an acknowledgement and celebration of Black History Month. Esteemed UBC professor Dr. Handel Wright will be our guest speaker for this event. Dr. Wright is a long-time tenured Professor in the faculty of Education and a strong supporter of the Black Male Initiative.
February 16, 2023 | 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Cinema Thinks the World: Rewind & Play (1969) Film Screening and Discussion
Connects at Robson Square and Cinema Thinks The World is proud to present a screening of Rewind and Play, and will be followed by a discussion and Q&A of the film, led by various experts and scholars from UBC, including Dr. Arturo Victoriano, Olumoroti George, and Nya Lewis Williams. The event is free and everyone is welcome.
February 17, 2023 | 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Black Lives, Black Voices and Black Identities in the Faculty of Medicine
This panel will provide a space for an important conversation about the experiences of Black members of the Faculty and the challenges they face to find belonging. Panelists will be invited to reflect on their Black identity and how it has shaped their personal narrative — their education journey, work experiences and sense of belonging.
February 23, 2023 | 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Historical Considerations on Nursing Education across Canada
Join us to learn about a Rockefeller Foundation report written by Ethel Johns (the first director of nursing at UBC) on the status of Black women in the nursing profession in the United States (written in 1925), the entry of Black students to UBC Nursing and UNB School of Nursing, and racism in nursing education and practice in Canada today.
February 23, 2023 | 7:00 pm
Film Screening: Neptune Frost
Presented by the Chan Centre in partnership with The Cinematheque this film screening of Neptune Frost is meant to accompany the Black Futures: Saul Williams / Moor Mother / Irreversible Entanglements concert on February 25.
February 25, 2023 | 7:00 pm
Black Futures: Saul Williams / Moor Mother / Irreversible Entanglements
The Chan Centre presents an exhilarating exploration into Black Futures through the visionary work of revolutionary artists Saul Williams, Moor Mother, and Irreversible Entanglements. At the outer limits of hip-hop, free jazz, blues, noise, and poetry, this special EXP concert brings together dynamic visionaries to perform a collaborative concert that interweaves Afrofuturist currents within a stunning continuum of Black music.
February 27, 2023 | 4:00 pm
Tyler Prize Laureates Drs Daniel Pauly and Rashid Sumaila interviewed by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Marine biologist and climate policy expert Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson will be in conversation with the co-recipients of the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement: UBC’s Dr. Daniel Pauly and Dr. Rashid Sumaila.
Together, these leaders and advocates will discuss their environmental achievement through the lens of Black History; the past, present and future of environmental justice; recent calls for policy change – and how individuals can contribute meaningfully to climate solutions.
February 27, 2023 | 5:30 pm
Black History Month Movie Night in the Faculty of Forestry
Join the UBC Forestry Black Student Group at this screening of “Hidden Figures.” African finger food and drink will be provided for the first 50 registered attendees.
February 28, 2023 | 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
A panel conversation on the Black experience in the Faculty of Applied Science
Students, staff, and faculty will come together to share their experiences of being Black in a faculty that is – unfortunately – under-representative of the Black population in Canada. We welcome participants from all backgrounds to attend so they can learn and take the knowledge they gain to create more inclusive spaces for Black students, staff and faculty in UBC Applied Science.
February 28 – March 2, 2023 | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Black Community Market
The UBC Black Caucus presents a free opportunity for local Black businesses and campus groups to sell their products and promote their initiatives. Also an opportunity for non Black folk to exercise their economic support of the Black community.
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

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
Of Interest
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.
Illustrations: blackillustrations.com