Black History Month

UNB honours Black History Month

During February, the UNB community marks Black History Month by honouring, acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of Black Canadians and people of African descent.

By observing Black History Month, we come together as a community to learn about and commemorate the perseverance and triumphs of Black Canadians who have played a vital role in the development of our province, the country and our university. These include people like Willie O’Ree, the first Black player in the NHL; community activist Ralph “Tiger” Thomas; Robert Henry, a soldier in WWII; and musicians The Bohee Brothers and Mary Matilda Winslow, the first female Black Canadian to attend UNB.

Black History Month reminds non-racialized people to stand in allyship with those who continue to face discrimination and bias. It is a time to learn, reflect on the past, acknowledge the present and commit to progress in the future.

In honour of Black History Month 2024, the following events and initiatives will be taking place on our campuses:

Events

UNBeknownst #36: Tosin Ajibola on blending social good with technology. In this podcast episode, UNB Alumni shares a great conversation with Tosin Ajibola (MTME’20).

Tosin was named a top 30 under 30 Innovator in 2021; a Top 25 Canadian Immigrant in 2022; and a Top Youth Immigrant in 2022. He is the CEO of Welkom-U, where he solves real-world problems with technology while making a social impact.

Listen now

Time-Walk Feedback and Time-Walk Demonstration Session: The New Brunswick Black History Society has partnered with UNB to share an interactive experience based on the history of Black New Brunswickers. A demonstration of the New Brunswick Black History Society Interactive Time-Walk Exhibit.

  • Located at the Hans W. Klohn Commons at UNB Saint John campus.
  • It will close on Feb. 29, 2024.

Rediscovering the Roots of Black New Brunswickers: Presented by the UNB Art Centre. Featuring portraits of prominent Black New Brunswickers who have made a significant contribution to shaping New Brunswick. Banners will be displayed on Regent and Westmorland Streets in downtown Fredericton for February. This project is now in its fifth year.


Film series: 7:30 p.m. Room 261 Marshall D’Avray Hall, Fredericton campus.

  • Oscar (2016) by Marie-Josée Saint Pierre
  • The World is Ours (21:30 min) by Nasia Louis-Desmarchais
  • Bonum (2013) by Sabrina Naz Comǎnescu (2017)
  • Speakers for the Dead by David Sutherand and Jennifer Holness

This film series is presented by UNB Art Centre in partnership with the New Brunswick Black Artists Alliance.


Rediscovering the Roots of Black New Brunswickers: Presented by the UNB Art Centre.

5 p.m. in Memorial Hall.

This exhibit is a project commemorating Black History Month. It will feature portraits and biographies with nine new portrait panels which include Carol Howe, David Peters, Carl Howe, Terry Dymond, Chester Eatmon, Gabriel Johnson, Randolph George Hope and Carl White.


UNB REDS Women’s Hockey Game: The UNB REDS women’s hockey team will host their second annual Black History Month game at 7 p.m. at the Aitken Centre.

The event will celebrate the accomplishments and contribution of African Canadian student athletes and historical figures from the University of New Brunswick, the city of Fredericton, and beyond.

Film series: 7:30 p.m. Room 261 Marshall D’Avray Hall, Fredericton campus.

  • I Made a Vow by Juanita Peters 
  • Portia White: Think on Me (2000) by Sylvia Hamilton

This film series is presented by UNB Art Centre in partnership with the New Brunswick Black Artists Alliance.


Black History Through the Senses: The Human Rights and Equity Office in collaboration with the New Brunswick Black History Society and Battle of the Arts invites you to join for a multi-sensory trip into the histories of Black people. Food and beverages will be provided as part of the experience.

The event will be taking place at the Harriet Irving Library, Active Learning Hub room 303 on the Fredericton campus from 1 - 3 p.m.

Register now


Film series: 7:30 p.m. Room 261 Marshall D’Avray Hall, Fredericton campus.

  • Two Friends by David Dairo-Singer 
  • Blowies by Brian Carty 
  • Pugilist Pride: The story of Faryad Azizi by Gary Weekes 
  • Echoes in the Rink: The Willie O’Ree Story by Errol Williams 

This film series is presented by UNB Art Centre in partnership with the New Brunswick Black Artists Alliance.


Black History Through the Senses: The Human Rights and Equity Office in collaboration with the New Brunswick Black History Society and Battle of the Arts invites you to join for a multi-sensory trip into the histories of Black people. Food and beverages will be provided as part of the experience.

The event will be taking place at the Hans W. Klohn Commons Main floor on the Saint John campus from 4 - 6 p.m.

Register now


The Pond-Deshpande Centre invites you to join for the second virtual social innovators lunch discussion and book club at noon.

This event will focus on changing the game of social innovation through inclusion. The book of the month is “Willie: The game changing story of the NHL’s first Black player”.

Register now


Abraham B. Walker Way Street naming ceremony: Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle, UNB’s president and vice-chancellor, invites the community to attend the Abraham B. Walker Way Street naming ceremony at 10 a.m., at the Hans W. Klohn Commons on the Saint John campus.

Abraham Beverley Walker was a civil rights pioneer in New Brunswick and North America. Walker was not only the first Canadian-born Black lawyer but also UNB law’s first Black student.

Film series: 7:30 p.m. Room 261 Marshall D’Avray Hall, Fredericton campus. 

  • Triggered by Carlos Anthony 
  • John Ware Reclaimed (2020) by Cheryl Foggo

This film series is presented by the UNB Art Centre in partnership with the New Brunswick Black Artists Alliance.

The Department of History’s 8th annual Black History Month Lecture: At 7 p.m., Dr. Christopher Taylor from the University of Waterloo will present his talk entitled “Roots & Routes: Blackness Beyond May 25, 2020”. The lecture will take place at the NB Provincial Archives.

Black HAIRitage, a talk by visual artist Norelice Mboutou: The Centre for Resources in French, invites you to join this bilingual talk about Black hair heritage, a rich and complex topic that encompasses concepts such as resistance and affirmation. Norelice Mboutou’s talk will explore the overlooked historical, cultural and social dimensions of Afro and kinky hair.

The event will be taking place in room 156 at Singer Hall on the Fredericton campus at 5 p.m.