Black Legacy and Leadership
Posted: January 04, 2026
Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Our History and Uplifting Future Generations
Honour, Reflection and Celebration
February is more than just a date on the calendar – it is a time for Canadians to honour and amplify the voices of Black Canadians while celebrating their many achievements. The Government of Canada notes that Black Canadians and their communities have been shaping this country since the early 1600s, yet their contributions have often been ignored or hidden[1]. Black History Month is an opportunity to fill those gaps, to learn about Black Loyalists who helped build communities after the American Revolution, the Black soldiers who fought for Canada as far back as the War of 1812, and the generations of African-descended people who endured slavery and resisted it[1].
Celebrating Black History Month also combats anti‑Black racism by educating Canadians about the richness and diversity of Black experiences. The Canadian Race Relations Foundation reminds us that this month of celebration was born from a motion carried unanimously by the House of Commons in December 1995 and that it aims to shine a light on contributions that have been downplayed or hidden from historical narratives[3]. Honouring that history is part of our collective responsibility, not just in February but throughout the year[3].
A Canadian Journey to Recognition
The path to official recognition was driven by community activism and legislative courage:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1978 | Founding of the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) to promote awareness of Black history[1]. |
| 1979 | The City of Toronto issued Canada’s first municipal proclamation of Black History Month[1]. |
| 1988 | Nova Scotia observed its first Black History Month (later called African Heritage Month)[1]. |
| 1993 | OBHS petitioned to recognize February as Black History Month across Ontario[1]. Rosemary Sadlier, OBHS president, presented the idea to Jean Augustine[1]. |
| December 1995 | As the first Black woman elected to Canada’s Parliament, Jean Augustine introduced a motion that the House of Commons unanimously adopted, officially recognising Black History Month across Canada[1]. This motion has allowed millions of Canadians to celebrate and learn about Black history[2]. |
| March 2008 | The Senate completed the parliamentary recognition when Senator Donald Oliver introduced and passed a motion to recognise Black History Month[1]. |
These milestones mark a 30‑year journey from the first proclamation in 1996 to the celebrations of 2026. This year, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Canada’s national Black History Month and honour the trailblazers who made it possible.
Dr. Jean Augustine: A Legacy of Leadership
At the heart of this story stands The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine, who immigrated to Canada from Grenada in 1960. She became the first African‑Canadian woman elected to the House of Commons and used her platform to champion equity and social justice[4]. Her résumé is expansive: she helped establish the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (1967), contributed to Canada’s multiculturalism policy (1971), served as National President of the Congress for Black Women of Canada (1987) and chaired the Metro Toronto Housing Authority (1988)[4]. Most notably, she introduced the motion to recognise February as Black History Month in 1995, a motion that was adopted unanimously[4].
Dr. Augustine’s commitment to education continues to inspire. She encourages those seeking to make a difference to “have a passion and know what it is. Take a risk. Look for mentors and role models. Don’t accept mediocrity. Have confidence that you can change the world”[4]. We are honoured to welcome her as the guest of honour at this year’s conference.
The Looking Back Into the Future Conference: A Decade of Impact
In 2016, Black history educator, community leader and DEI program manager Channon Oyeniran envisioned a community program that would centre Black voices and history. She founded the Looking Back Into the Future Black History Month Conference, and the program has been impacting lives ever since[7]. Over the past decade, the conference has provided top speakers, community‑building opportunities and a space for intergenerational dialogue. The tenth annual conference in 2025 featured inspiring speakers and leaders in Black Canadian history, race, justice and equity studies, unveiled the 2025 Canada Post Black History Month stamp, and included a vibrant vendor market[5]. Attendees also celebrated winners of the inaugural essay and art competition[5]. Reflecting on that milestone, Channon wrote that the conference was “memorable and impactful” and expressed gratitude to speakers, volunteers, vendors, partners, sponsors and attendees for their continued support[6].
2026: Black Legacy and Leadership – Celebrating 11 Years
This year marks the 11th edition of the Looking Back Into the Future conference and coincides with the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada. Our theme, “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Our History and Uplifting Future Generations,” honours the foundations laid by trailblazers like Dr. Augustine while inviting us to invest in the next generation.
Conference Highlights
- Guest of Honour – The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine: Her presence links our conference to the national history of Black History Month and offers attendees a chance to learn from her life of public service and advocacy.
- Essay and Art Competition Awards: The conference will recognise winners of our second annual essay and artwork competition for students in Grades 7 and 8 across the Durham Region. After a successful inaugural year, this competition is expanding in 2026. Judges will review submissions from students in the Durham District School Board (DDSB), Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) and Peterborough–Victoria–Northumberland–Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB), reflecting our commitment to engaging more schools and uplifting youth voices.
- Legacy‑building Conversations: Panels and presentations will explore Black legacy and leadership—how historical figures like Mathieu Da Costa, Harriet Tubman and Viola Desmond paved pathways for today’s leaders, and how we can cultivate leadership among young people.
- Community Market and Networking: A vendor market showcasing local Black‑owned businesses will provide opportunities to support entrepreneurs, while intermissions will allow attendees to connect and build networks, echoing the community spirit that has defined past conferences[5].
Why This Matters
When Jean Augustine brought forward her motion in 1995, she did so to ensure that Black history would be told as part of Canadian history, not as an adjunct. Today, Black History Month reaches millions of Canadians and helps provide a more complete account of our nation’s story[2]. Yet many stories remain untold and inequities persist. By celebrating legacy and leadership, we acknowledge that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and accept the responsibility to uplift the generations that follow.
At the same time, the CRRF reminds us that Black history is “all of our histories” and that honouring those who laid the groundwork is a responsibility for everyone[3]. The Looking Back Into the Future conference embodies that spirit. It is free and open to all, creating space for learning, reflection, celebration and action. Whether you are a student presenting an essay, a community member sharing stories, or a supporter shopping at the vendor market, your participation contributes to a legacy of inclusion and empowerment.
Join Us
We invite you to be part of this year’s conference and to celebrate 30 years of Black History Month in Canada. Together, we will honour the past, celebrate the present and uplift the future. Follow our social media handle @lookingbackinto and the hashtag #lookingbackinto for updates, and register through our event page to reserve your seat.
Let’s continue to build a future where Black history is recognised, Black voices are heard and Black leadership is celebrated – not only in February but every day.
References
- Government of Canada. About Black History Month. Canada.ca. Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month/about.html
- Jean Augustine. Black History Month Motion. JeanAugustine.ca. Available at: https://jeanaugustine.ca/black-history-month-motion-2/
- Canadian Race Relations Foundation. Honouring the past, celebrating the present, and inspiring the future: Black History Month 2022. CRRF. Available at: https://crrf-fcrr.ca/2022/02/honouring-the-past-celebrating-the-present-and-inspiring-the-future-black-history-month-2022/
- Mind Forward. Black History Month Spotlight: Jean Augustine. mindforward.org. Available at: https://mindforward.org/black-history-month-spotlight-jean-augustine/
- City of Pickering. Black History Month – 10th Annual Looking Back into the Future Black History Month Conference and Vendor Market. Available at: https://www.pickering.ca/parks-recreation-culture/arts-and-culture/black-history-month/
- Channon A. Oyeniran (LinkedIn post). Reflection on the 10th Annual Looking Back into the Future Black History Month Conference. Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/channon-a-oyeniran-902a1942_lookingbackinto-blackhistory-conference-activity-7311753191019134978-QVBX
- OyES Education. Channon Oyeniran. Available at: https://oyeseducation.org/channon/