February dawns and that means the time has come to mark Black Heritage Month, or, as it’s more conventionally known, Black History Month. Courtesy of the Guelph Black Heritage Society and the University of Guelph it looks like there’s going to be something to do almost every day of the month, so if you would like to help mark the occasion or are looking to learn more about our vibrant and vital Black community here in Guelph, look below…

Guelph Black Heritage Society

University of Guelph

A Night with TOVA – Thursday Feb. 2, 7-9 p.m. – The Bullring

Musician TOVA will bring a night of music to the Bullring. A 2022 BreakOut West R&B artist of the year nominee, TOVA is a storyteller who employs introspective lyrics, narrative and a captivating soundscape to create a unique musical experience.

“Stirrin the Pot” – Afro-Caribbean Cooking Class – Tuesday Feb. 7, 5-7 p.m. – Anita Memorial Food Lab

Chef Vanessa Simon of Vanessa’s Cuisine KW will offer lessons in how to make traditional dishes from Caribbean cuisine, which is a blend of African, Indian, European, Creole, Amerindian, Cajun and other flavours. The class will be offered in a hybrid format, both in-person and online.

“Piecing it Together” – Art, Mental Health, and Black Excellence – Wednesday Feb. 8, 3-5 p.m. – UC442

Briana Alexis Studios will host an art session and discussion on Black mental health and excellence. This event is exclusive to U of G students who identify as Black. Alexis is an activist and U of G psychology graduate with a background in studio art practice.

“Spotlight” – A BHM Cultural Fashion Show – Thursday Feb. 9, 7-9 p.m. – Peter Clark Hall

A one-of-a-kind fashion show highlighting Black culture through pieces from three up-and-coming Black fashion designers from the GTA. Includes models from U of G and engaging cultural dance performances.

BHM Movie Night: Moonlight (2016) – Friday Feb 10, 6-9 p.m. – UC 332

The Sexual & Gender Diversity Team will collaborate with the Cultural Diversity Team to bring students a screening of 2016’s Moonlight. A post-screening discussion will focus on the lived experiences of people within Black communities with an intersectional approach to raise awareness surrounding the overlapping identities of queerness in the Black community.

Quad Rollerskating Nights: BHM Edition – Tuesday Feb 14, 5-7 p.m. – Peter Clark Hall

The Cultural Diversity team will host a special night of rollerskating and music, featuring DJ QC, who will play a wide variety of music of all genres. Both quads and in-line skates are welcome.

“Celebrating Black Achievement” – A Panel for Black Success at U of G – Wednesday Feb 15, 12-2 p.m. – University Club (UC 5th floor)

Learn about the professional journeys of Black U of G faculty as they share their unique experiences navigating academia while Black and provide advice for anyone wanting to enter the field. Panellists include:

• Dr. Lawrence Goodridge, Department of Food Science
• Dr. Tamara A. Small, Department of Political Science
• Dr. Deirdre McCorkindale, Department of History
• Dr. Uwafiokun Idemudia, dean, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences (CSAHS)

Black-Owned Marketplace – Thursday Feb 16, 12-6 p.m. –  UC Courtyard

Several Black-owned businesses local to Guelph and the surrounding areas will hold a marketplace of handmade and artisan clothing, body care items, food, personal accessories and more.

Keynote Address: Intentional Intersectional Leadership with Payton Head – Tuesday, Feb 28, 6-7:30 p.m. – Event Centre, Athletic Centre

Payton Head, former president of the Missouri University Students Association and rising activist, will discuss the adversities caused by the pervasiveness of race, gender and sexual orientation discrimination.

Head has been at the forefront of conversations about improving race relations on campuses since his Facebook post about his experience with racism at Missouri sparked protests at that university. A queer Black man, Head uses his platform to advocate for more inclusivity, challenging students to fight hatred with radical love for others as well as for themselves.

McLaughlin Library special collection – Celebrating Black Achievement

The McLaughlin Library has created a book collection in collaboration with the GBSA that features fiction and non-fiction titles that celebrate the social, cultural and academic development of Black people. The collection ranges from autobiographies of important figures such as Randy Weston, Malcom X and Michelle Obama, to the poetry of Maya Angelou, to pieces about racism and discrimination.

Hospitality Services will also celebrate the month by offering a menu featuring African and Caribbean cuisine every Wednesday in February at the Infusion dining facility in the University Centre’s Chef’s Hall.