Black History Month

February 3, 2022 - University of Victoria

Black History Month provides an important opportunity to explore and celebrate the historical and current contributions of Black Canadians. At UVic, we recognize the many achievements of Black faculty, staff and students. We also acknowledge ongoing work is needed to support racial equity, diversity and inclusion.

Recently, the university signed the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education. The charter is a meaningful commitment to hold ourselves accountable.

During the month of February and beyond, we invite you to join the UVic community to celebrate Black History Month with a series of events, initiatives and opportunities for engagement on issues of racial equity, diversity and inclusion.

Check back to this page for more campus events and opportunities throughout the month.

Join the conversation and contribute to UVic's Equity Action Plan

Join the conversation and have a say in what equity, inclusion and anti-racism look like on campus. The university Equity Action Plan (EAP) consultation and engagement process launched on Jan. 19, and will continue over the next four months. All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to participate. The EAP will provide our university with a set of goals and strategies to advance and embed equity, inclusion and anti-racism on our campus.

Equity Action Plan engagement webpage

Events

UVSS SOCC film series

UVSS Students of Colour Collective presents a four-night film exploration of African-American identity. Each film will be followed by a short informal discussion. Featured films include 13^th, Dark Girls, Moonlight and Race: The Power of Illusion.

Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, 6:30–9 p.m.
McPherson Library

Visit the UVSS Students of Colour Collective website for more information

Everyday Black excellence: Being Black on campus and beyond

The Equity and Human Rights office presents a virtual event to highlight some of the Black talent that currently exists among our students, instructors, staff and senior administrators, and members of our external community. The event will provide opportunities for panelists and attendees to brainstorm ways we can strategically address anti-Black racism in our community.

Feb 16, 1-3 p.m.
Online. More info

UVic Libraries virtual lecture

Uvic Libraries presents a virtual lecture with celebrated author Lawrence Hill and Shelagh Rogers, CBC radio broadcast journalist and former UVic Chancellor. Hill will discuss his novel for children and adults, Beatrice and Croc Harry.

Feb. 7, 7 p.m.
Online

CBC Massey Lectures with Esi Edugyan

Celebrated writing UVic alum Esi Edugyan’s CBC Massey Lectures on Black representation in the arts and society are now available on CBC Ideas and can be accessed through the Ideas podcast. Featured lecture topics include Black representation in European art, Afro futurism, the history of “passing” in society, the ghosts of Black neighbourhoods and more.

Access podcast

Orion Series in Fine Arts

Orion Series in Fine Arts presents “Turn it up!: Music, citizenship and social change.” This panel lecture and discussion explores how music is being used by youth activists’ movements in Sénégal and Indigenous peoples in Canada. Featuring Abdoulaye Niang, teacher-researcher, Université Gaston Berger de Saint-Louis Sénégal with Ry Moran, associate university librarian for reconciliation, UVic

Feb. 12, 1:30 p.m.
David Lam Auditorium, MacLaurin A-Wing
No registration is required

In person and online

Educational Workshops

A Day in The Life: The cost of wellbeing for Black identifying individuals

UVic’s Employee and Family Assistance Provider (EFAP) invites UVic employees to the LifeWorks complimentary Black History Month event. In alignment with this year’s theme—Black Health and Wellbeing—this session, "A Day in The Life: The cost of wellbeing for Black-identifying individuals" will explore how our health and wellness systems, the external environment, and approaches to self-care impact Black health.

Feb. 24, 9-10 a.m.
Online