Every February, Black History Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians, past and present, bringing attention to the vital role they have played throughout Canada’s history. Here are some of the festivities that you can check out at UBC.
AAI Conference Week 2020: Africa in the Diaspora
Kick off Black History Month by attending this conference held by the African Awareness Initiative (AAI) club. The three-day discussion focuses on the unique experiences faced by people of African descent or people with an African background around the world. Each day covers a different topic, and the conference wraps up with a panel on Black and Indigenous relations in Canada.
- When: Wed, Jan 29 – Fri, Jan 31 | 6:00 – 8:30 pm
- Where: Location varies (check event page for details)
- Cost: Free
Through the Lens: Challenging Anti-Blackness
As a part of the Through the Lens series, this workshop—led by diversity and inclusion consultant, activist and writer Cicely Belle Blain—explores the colonial origins of anti-blackness and its prevalent presence in institutions and workplaces today. This workshop not only highlights various perspectives of anti-blackness but also offers practical solutions that encourage participants to make UBC a safe and supportive environment for everyone.
- When: Mon, Feb 3 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Where: Dodson 302, Irving K Barber Learning Centre
- Cost: Free
Black Activism in Education and Community: Exposing Anti-Black Racism in Vancouver with Shelby McPhee
This event highlights the thinking and efforts of Black communities and aims to expand the public conversation and prompt non-Black communities to act to remove Anti-Black Racism within our city. Featured speaker Shelby McPhee will break down incidents in Vancouver and Canada that unfortunately illustrate that anti-Black racism is very much a local reality. She will also share stories and comments on how to recognize and address anti-Black racism and what you can do to help the issue.
- When: Thu, Feb 6 | 6:30 – 8:30 pm
- Where: UBC Robson Square Theatre
- Cost: Free; registration required
IBPOC Connections Staff & Faculty Lunch: Important Conversations
The Indigenous, Black or as a Person of Colour (IBPOC) Connections focuses on providing a welcoming space to help individuals build a community on campus. This event focuses on creating connections and allows attendees to chat with fellow peers in themed conversations and gives them a platform to share their experiences also.
- When: Tue, Feb 11 | 11:30 am –1:30 pm
- Where: St. John’s College
- Cost: $5 – $10 (pay what you can)
CFLS Lecture Series: The Politics of Black Queer Liberation
The weekly CFLS Lecture Series was started in 1997 to bring feminist legal scholars together from across Canada and abroad. Speakers offer a wide range of perspectives on various topics. This lecture led by Cicely Blain, is a diversity and inclusion consultant and is also the co-founder of Black Lives Matter Vancouver. She discusses the politics of Black Queer Liberation and helps spark dialogue on this topic.
- When: Wed, Feb 12 | 12:30 – 1:30 pm
- Where: Peter A. Allard School of Law, Room 122
- Cost: Free
The Phil Lind Initiative – Thinking While Black: Roxane Gay
The Phil Lind Initiative: Thinking While Black series invites attendees to consider Blackness as both a culture and a mode of thinking. This series highlights the structures of race in North America and the seemingly disconnected forms of racial violence that have been present. This series challenges attendees to think about their own way of life and actions and to think critically on how they can be a part of the solution. The keynote speaker for this event is Roxane Gay, who is a best-selling author, cultural critic and host of the Hear to Slay podcast.
- When: Tue, Feb 25 | 6:00 – 7:30 pm
- Where: Chan Centre Concert Hall
- Cost: Free
