Black History – Parents for Diversity | Diversity and Inclusion in Children's Education

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY IN FEBRUARY AND ALL YEAR LONG

March 19, 2025 / 5 minutes of reading

Celebrating Black History in February and All Year Long The Canadian Government’s 2025 theme for Black History Month was: “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.” This theme acknowledged the diversity of Black Canadians, the importance of Black leadership, and the legacy being built for future generations. Furthermore, that reality endures, […]

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The Significance of Emancipation Day

July 31, 2024 / 4 minutes of reading

Emancipation Day, observed on August 1st, marks one of the most important moments in world history: the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834. For Black Canadians, this day signifies not just the end of slavery but also the beginning of an ongoing struggle for equality and justice in this country. Despite the

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Do you know all the women on the new Periodic Table of Canadian Women’s History?

March 8, 2021 / 1 minute of reading

When Isabela Ozamiz, the software developer behind the digital Periodic Table of Canadian Black History, realized International Women’s Day was coming, she hopped on a Zoom call with her girlfriends for some group research, laughs, and learning. With Nicholas Simard again donating translation services, you can learn about Angela James (the first Black woman and

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Teacher in class posing withs students writing tests behind her

How Do I Extend Black History Beyond February?

March 3, 2021 / 5 minutes of reading

“What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice.” Carter G. Woodson. Learning about Black history is bigger than the month of February. Why? Because Black history is our collective history and should be treated as such.

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Does the n-word belong in the classroom?

November 11, 2020 / 6 minutes of reading

To be called the n-word is an unfortunate yet inevitable rite of passage for Black children. Most of us can remember the first time it was called to us. I also remember the first time my child was called the n-word. A classmate approached them and asked them to finish this sentence, “I like salt

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So. Many. Good. Books. Why. Read. Seuss?

February 24, 2020 / 1 minute of reading

As Black History Month winds down, we are taking a pause to focus on lesser-known books about and by Black Canadians. We are reminded that the Black Canadian community represents a diversity of experiences and origins. It underestimates the depth and breadth of the influence on Canadian society exerted by Black Canadians to not examine

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Why We Should Celebrate Black Authors During Black History Month

February 10, 2020 / 5 minutes of reading

What do last night’s Academy Awards and Black authors have in common? You may recall a tweet by Stephen King in January in which he claimed, “…I would never consider diversity in matters of art. Only quality. It seems to me that to do otherwise would be wrong.” For King, “those judging creative excellence should

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Is Your School Ready for Black History Month?

February 3, 2020 / 4 minutes of reading

Welcome to Black History Month! Black History Month was first formally recognized in Canada in 1995 when the Honourable Jean Augustine, first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, introduced a motion that recognized February as Black History Month (BHM). It was passed unanimously in the House of Commons. BHM celebrates the rich and varied contributions

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Do You Know the Dos and Don’ts of Planning for Black History Month?

December 2, 2019 / 5 minutes of reading

Black History Month is soon approaching. As parents, we want to ensure that educators are intentional and purposeful in their approach to celebrating Black History. We thought we would share some dos and don’ts to keep in mind when planning for Black History Month so parents can understand what a positive educational experience should look

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How Blackface can be a teachable moment…in the Classroom and at Home

September 23, 2019 / 7 minutes of reading

When Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) stepped into an elevator in 1955 on his way to a meeting with his publisher, Houghton Mifflin, he encountered Annie Williams, the elevator operator. She was “an elegant, and petite woman who wore white gloves and a secret smile”.[1] Ms. Williams would later serve as the inspiration behind

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