Black History Month
2019

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February is Black History Month. We’re celebrating the tremendous contributions made by many of the extraordinary leaders, advocates, and innovators who have helped build a better, more equal, and more inclusive future for Canada.

Click on the portraits below to read more about their work.

Viola Desmond

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Viola Desmond

Businesswoman, Civil Rights Trailblazer and Entrepreneur

First Canadian-born woman to appear alone on a Canadian bank note
1946 – Challenged racial segregation by refusing to leave a whites-only area at a cinema; she received a tax violation for the once-cent tax difference on the seat
Her legal challenge helped start the modern civil rights movement in Canada, and legally end segregation in 1954

Rosemary Brown

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“Until all of us have made it, none of us have made it.”

Rosemary Brown

Political Leader and Professor

First Black Canadian woman to be elected to a provincial legislature
1975 – She was the first Black woman (and only the second woman ever) to run for the leadership of a federal party

Jean Augustine

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“Black history is not just for Black people – Black history is Canadian history.”

Jean Augustine

First African-Canadian woman elected to Parliament

First African-Canadian woman appointed to federal cabinet
1995 – Thanks to her motion, Canada recognized February as Black History Month

Abraham Shadd

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Abraham Shadd

Canada’s first Black elected official

Used his two homes to help slaves fleeing southern states on the Underground Railroad
Daughter: Mary Ann Shadd

Michaëlle Jean

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“Empower women and you will see a decrease in poverty, illiteracy, disease and violence.”

Michaëlle Jean

Stateswoman and Journalist

Third Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, and first woman to hold the position
The 27th Governor General of Canada, and first of Caribbean origin

Bill White

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Bill White

First Black Canadian to run for federal office in Canada

Composer and social justice activist
Sister: Portia White

Lincoln Alexander

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Lincoln Alexander

First Black Member of Parliament

Lawyer
First black federal Cabinet Minister, serving as federal Minister of Labour
Served as the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1985-1991

Oscar Peterson

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“The music field was the first to break down racial barriers, because in order to play together, you have to love the people you are playing with, and if you have any racial inhibitions, you wouldn’t be able to do that.”

Oscar Peterson

Canadian Jazz Pianist and Composer

Considered to be one of the greatest jazz pianists in the world
Appeared on more than 200 albums and won 8 Grammy Awards, including a lifetime achievement award
Won CBC’s national music competition at the age of 14

Nicknamed Maharaja of the Keyboard by Duke Ellington
Statue in his honour is located near the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, ON

Carrie Best

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Carrie Best

Poet, Journalist and Civil Rights Activist

Co-founder of The Clarion, the first newspaper in Nova Scotia that was owned and published by Black Canadians; which also supported her advocacy for Black rights
Hosted The Quiet Corner radio program for 12 years

Elijah McCoy

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Elijah McCoy

Inventor and Engineer with 57 patents

Developed a self-lubricating device for moving machinery, which revolutionized the locomotive engineering industry
Other manufacturers tried to copy this, which led to customers asking for the superior original, or “The Real McCoy”

Portia White

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Portia White

First Black Canadian concert singer to win international acclaim

Broke the colour barrier in Canadian classical music
Internationally renowned Canadian opera contralto singer; considered one of the best classical singers of the 20th century
First Canadian to perform at New York’s Town Hall
Sang before Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at Charlottetown’s Confederation Centre of the Arts
Brother: Bill White

Willie O’Ree

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Willie O’Ree

Professional Ice Hockey Player with the Boston Bruins

First Black hockey player in the NHL
Blind in his right eye due to a hockey injury. He kept it secret in order to join the NHL

Kathleen “Kay” Livingstone

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Kathleen “Kay” Livingstone

Social Activist, Actress and Broadcaster

Coined the term “visible minority” – Kay noticed an absence of minorities being represented at the International Women’s Year Committee. She brought this to the attention of the Privy Council
Formed the first National Black Women’s Congress in Canada
Hosted her own radio program The Kathleen Livingstone Show