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Black History Month

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The journey towards justice and equality continues!

Welcome to our celebration of Black History Month!

People of African descent have been present in the land now known as Canada for over 400 years. This month, we honor the rich heritage, achievements, and contributions of Black people throughout history.

As we celebrate, we also reflect on the continued journey toward justice and equality. Justice is not just a concept; it is an ongoing effort to ensure that everyone, regardless of race, has the opportunity to thrive. Let's come together to inspire a future where justice and equality are at the forefront of our society.

Black history is Canadian history

A Black People's History in Canada project aims to fill in gaps in African Canadian history education and "educate Canadians about the 400-plus year history of Black people's contributions to our country": A Black People's History of Canada.

Celebrating historical achievements

Nelligan Law has created a timeline highlighting some significant achievements of Black Canadians in law.

Black Canadians in Law: A Timeline - Nelligan Law

Celebrating organizations improving access to justice for Black communities in Ontario

  • The Black Legal Action Centre: a community legal clinic that challenges individual and systemic anti-Black racism through research, structural transformation, and legal services for Black communities in Ontario
  • Black Femme Legal: an organization that provides legal information, services, and non-legal supports to Black 2SLGBTQI+ workers in Ontario from a Black femme-centered approach
  • Legal Artivism project: a collaboration between R.I.S.E. Edutainment and the Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN), young racialized artists participated in legal education training before creating their own legal education works of art through poetry, music, and visual art
  • Sistahs-in-Law program: a collaboration between the Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN) and the Black Female Lawyers Network, young BIPOC women have the opportunity to learn about careers in the law, network, and gain hands on experience

Canada's Black Justice Strategy

The Canadian government is working on a strategy to "address anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination that has led to the overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system, including as victims of crime. The Strategy will aim to help ensure that Black people have access to equal treatment before and under the law in Canada."

Read the recommendations of the external Steering Group on A Roadmap for Transformative Change: Canada's Black Justice Strategy.

CLEO resources

The theme for Black History Month 2025 is Black Resistance. If you experience discrimination related to work, housing, the legal system, or other protected area, the Steps to Justice resources listed below can help you understand your rights and actions you can take to challenge discrimination.

Steps to Justice has a new tool to help people understand their options if they've experienced discrimination at work, by their landlord, or by the police: What are my options if I was discriminated against?

Additional information on Steps to Justice includes:

The Human Rights Legal Support Centre also has information and services that may help if you've experienced discrimination.

Webinars

Upcoming webinars

Stay tuned for upcoming webinars in February to recognize Black History Month.

Additional resources

Contact us: Didn't see what you were looking for? Send us a message at info@cleoconnect.ca.