Amherstburg Freedom MuseumKeep up to date on 2018 Black History Month events happening in Windsor-Essex County
The 2018 Windsor-Essex Black History Month Activity Schedule activity schedule will be officially launched January 26th, 2018 and updated regularly online. Please visit this page for the latest and most accurate information.
Click to Download the latest version of the 2018 Windsor-Essex Black History Month Activity Schedule
2018 Windsor-Essex Black History Month Activity Schedule
Essex County is rich in Black history. Canadians of African descent have played important roles in the cultural, political, social, and economic progress of our communities. Our region has been populated by people of African descent from the 18th century, when free Black Loyalists as well as enslaved Africans were among the area’s early residents; to the 19th century when formerly enslaved African Americans and free people of colour streamed into this area by the thousands, fleeing either bondage or oppression; to the modern era when immigrants from the continent of Africa and the Caribbean made this region their new home.
Here are some of the Black History Month events happening around our region.
Friday, January 26th: Join us on Friday, January 26th at 7:00 p.m. for Black history highlights, poetry and music by artists Karzell Dew, Teajai Travis, Lana Talbot, Mbonisi Zikhali and Amina Abdulle, and the release of the 2018 Black History Month activity schedule for Windsor-Essex. This free event is taking place at the Caribbean Centre, 2410 Central Avenue, Windsor, and is hosted by the Essex County Black Historical Research Society, the Windsor West Indian Association, and the Amherstburg Freedom Museum with support from Morris Sutton Funeral Home, CAW Local 195, and the City of Windsor. We will publicly recognize the importance of Black History Month as well as encourage the community to participate in the array of Black History Month events happening locally. For more information, contact ecbhrs@gmail.com or (519) 890-4316.
Saturday, January 27th: Celebrating an art form that emerged from African American culture, the Black Box Theatre hosts a Blues inside the Black Box Theatre, Saturday, January 27th, 8:00-10:00 p.m., featuring Jamie Thompson from the 519 Band with special guests Benny Dredful and Ryan Thompson. The Black Box Theatre is located at the Open Space Art Studio inside S.T.A.G., 3735 King Street in Windsor. Suggested donation: $10.00 (a Bloomfield House Fundraiser.)
Sunday, January 28th: Windsor actor/dancer/choreographer Leslie McCurdy is performing only one local (Detroit/Windsor) show this winter–a free performance of The Spirit of Harriet Tubman at Oak Park High School Auditorium, 13701 Oak Park Boulevard, Oak Park, Michigan, Sunday, January 28th at 3:00 p.m. This play is open to the general public and is sponsored by the Oak Park Recreation Department. In 2017, McCurdy celebrated twenty years of her highly interactive and interactive one woman show, which introduces the audience to the entire life story of Harriet Tubman.
February 1st-28th: For the entire month of February, the Amherstburg Freedom Museum (277 King Street, Amherstburg) is offering 1 off admission per person to celebrate Black History Month. To claim the discount, tell us when the Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church National Historic Site of Canada was built and by whom, when you purchase your ticket. This discount is only available in February and only if the correct response is given. (Hint: In 1848, people fleeing American slavery built this church by hand to serve Amherstburg’s growing Black community.)
Hours of operation: Tues-Fri 12 pm – 5 pm, Sat & Sun 1 pm – 5 pm. Admission: Normally $7.50/adult, $6.50/student or senior. For more info, contact 519-736-5433 or visit www.amherstburgfreedom.org or social media sites: Facebook.com/amherstburgfreedom; Twitter @AburgFreedom
Thursday, February 1st: In honour of Black History Month, the Chimczuk Museum (401 Riverside Drive West, Windsor) will be offering free admission on Thursday, February 1, 2018. This date will mark the official opening of the new temporary display, “Breaking the Colour Barrier: Wilfred ‘Boomer’ Harding and the Chatham Coloured All-Stars”. This display tells the story of the Chatham, Ontario baseball team who became the first black team to win a provincial Ontario Baseball Amateur Association championship in 1934.
On February 1st in the evening, there will be a free talk at the Chimczuk Museum hosted by the Museum Volunteer Group. This talk will feature Dr. Miriam Wright and Dr. Heidi Jacobs from the University of Windsor, who directed the Breaking the Colour Barrier project, and Dave Johnston of the Leddy Library who created the project website. In addition, sets of baseball cards featuring the Chatham Coloured All-Stars will be available for sale with proceeds going to the Chatham Kent Black Historical Society. The talk will start at 7:00 pm; doors open at 6:30 pm.
February 1st-March: During regular museum hours, all are welcome to visit the Chimczuk Museum, 401 Riverside Drive West in Windsor, to see the temporary exhibit entitled “Breaking the Colour Barrier: Wilfred ‘Boomer’ Harding and the Chatham Coloured All-Stars.’ Regular admission rates apply. Visit the Chimczuk Museum web site or https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/Culture/Windsors-Community-Museum/Pages/Chimczuk-Museum.aspx for complete hours of operation and fees.
Friday, February 2nd: Join the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum and the Chatham Public Library for a reading of Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt and make your own special quilt square, 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 2nd (PD day.) This is happening at the Chatham Branch, 120 Queen Street, Chatham.
Friday, February 2nd-April 1st: The Amherstburg Freedom Museum in partnership with the Artist of Colour will present the exhibit “Journeys,” featuring fourteen works of art by local Black artists. The exhibit represents the first stage of the Artists of Colour “Journeys” Project which will celebrate and relay the story of Black enslavement and the long journey back to freedom. The exhibit will tell the story to all generations of the courage and determination of a people who refused to accept the degradation of slavery. The exhibit runs February 2nd-April 1st, 2018 at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, 277 King Street, Amherstburg. Other than the opening reception, normal admission rates apply.
Friday, February 2nd: The opening reception for the Artists of Colour exhibit, “Journeys,” will take place at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, 277 King Street, Friday, February 2nd at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature live entertainment, providing a musical accompaniment to the exhibit, along with light refreshments. The opening reception is free although donations are welcomed. For more info, contact 519-736-5433 or visit www.amherstburgfreedom.org or social media sites: Facebook.com/amherstburgfreedom; Twitter @AburgFreedom
Saturday, February 3rd: The Northstar Cultural Community Centre, Biblioasis, and the Windsor Public Library will co-host a community open house on Saturday, February 3rd, 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Windsor Public Library Central Branch (850 Ouellette Avenue, Fred Israel Auditorium on the lower level.) Hear the details regarding a new Black history project funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, participate in special guided tours of the Local History room, browse Black history books and other resources, meet the author and publisher of a new book entitled The Long Road Continues, regarding the Black community in Windsor, and learn about the role of film and video archives in history. Bring photographs or other historic keepsakes to be scanned on the spot and preserved as part of our local Black history archive. Admission is free. For further information, contact the Northstar Cultural Community Centre at (519) 252-7143 or (519) 258-1649.
Saturday, February 3rd: 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Celebrate Black History Month at the Windsor Public Library, Sandwich Branch, 3312 Sandwich. Join us for a terrific afternoon of discovery. Explore authors, artists, explorers, inventors, scientists and so much more. Appropriate for ages 5-17. For information, contact Ms. Janet Brown, 519-255-6770 x 7700 or jbrown@windsorpubliclibrary.com.
February 3rd-13th: See the visual art exhibition “Atonement” February 3-13 at Mackenzie Hall, 3277 Sandwich in Windsor. The “Atonement” exhibition will display visual art pieces of local Windsor-Essex artists in the Main Gallery at Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre. During the “Atonement,” Mackenzie Hall, formerly the County Courthouse, will symbolically link arts and law to create a powerful tool for spreading a message. This exhibition is an opportunity for artists to share their thoughts on social justice and the legal system, and encourage dialogue. The exhibit will explore historical and contemporary social and political issues, including ecological destruction, poverty, discrimination, and the effect institutions and the legal system have had on marginalized communities through the medium of art. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. All gathered funds will be used to support The Artists of Colour annual show. For further information contact Nataliia Dickson at 416-875-9707 or curatorforacause@gmail.com.
Saturday, February 3rd: 7:00-9:00 p.m. Opening Reception for the “Atonement” Visual Art Exhibition in the Main Gallery at Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre, 3277 Sandwich in Windsor. The “Atonement” exhibition will display visual art pieces of local Windsor-Essex artists in the Main Gallery at Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre. The exhibit will explore historical and contemporary social and political issues, including ecological destruction, poverty, discrimination, and the effect institutions and the legal system have had on marginalized communities through the medium of art. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. All gathered funds will be used to support The Artists of Colour annual show. For further information contact Nataliia Dickson at 416-875-9707 or curatorforacause@gmail.com.
Sunday, February 4th: Local historian Irene Moore Davis presents “Working Together for Change: Stories of Faithful Collaboration between African Canadians and Their Allies” during the Sunday morning service at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Olinda, 2953 Olinda Side Road, Ruthven, ON N0P 2G0, Sunday, February 5th, 10:30 a.m. All are welcome. For information, contact uuolinda@gmail.com or 519-326-4352.
February 5th-9th: Afrofest, the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance African Diaspora Festival, returns to the university Feb. 5th-9th. Afrofest is a week-long celebration of African Heritage Month! The week consists of various cultural and educational activities that document and celebrate the contributions made by peoples of African descent to the world. The schedule includes drumming lessons, Fashionably Black fashion show, Hidaya Diaspora dance lessons, Taste of the Diaspora Afro cuisine event for $5/plate, Snap Shot black photography exhibit, Black inventors’ museum display, Black library book display, Black women’s panel (“Let’s Talk about Black Women”), “Mind of a Black Man” discussion moderated by Dave Watkins, sushi making workshop with discussion about diversity in LGBT spaces and being gay and Black, Adrinkra symbol mixed media painting workshop, workshop with artist/activist Devyn Springer, Becoming an Entrepreneur workshop, natural hair workshop, make-up tutorial, and Love Languages talent show. For up to date Afrofest event listings, visit http://www.uwsa.ca/afrofest2018/.
Wednesday, February 7th: On February 7th at 7:00 p.m., come and learn about the Chatham Coloured All-Stars, the first Black baseball team to win an Ontario championship… in 1934. Dr. Miriam Wright and Dr. Heidi Jacobs will speak about the Chatham Coloured All-Stars and the University of Windsor’s project to digitize and preserve the records, in collaboration with the Chatham Kent Black Historical Society, the Chatham Sports Hall of Fame, and the family of Wilfred “Boomer” Harding. A display about the project will be at the Chatham branch of the Chatham Public Library all month in recognition of Black History Month (120 Queen Street, Chatham.)
Thursday, February 8th: Stamp it! The Northstar Cultural Community Centre, 225A Erie Street East, will host the unveiling of the 2018 Canada Post Black History Month Stamps, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Learn about the lives of Lincoln Alexander and Kay Livingstone. Bring a blank envelope with you. Stamps will be available!
Thursday, February 8th: Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor (WEST) invites community members to join us as we highlight two pivotal women who made history during the Civil Rights Movement. Join us for a Movie Matinee to celebrate Black History Month at WEST. Thursday, February 8th, 12:30-2:30 p.m. we will be showing Long Road to Justice – The Viola Desmond Story: Nov. 8 1946, Viola Desmond stood up against a racially segregated movie theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Her courageous stand was a seminal event in Canada’s civil rights movement. This is a free event and the community is encouraged to attend. To sign up to attend, please call Lillian at 519-256- 6621 ext. 250 or email lgallant@westofwindsor.com for further information. WEST is located at 201-647 Ouellette Ave, with a back entrance on Pelisser We look forward to seeing you.
Saturday, February 10th and Sunday, February 11th: Join the Coalition for Justice, Unity, and Equity at its Black History Month Film Festival. Documentaries will be shown at 3735 King Street, Windsor. There will be an opening ceremony with guest speakers on February 10th at 2:00 p.m., followed by a series of film screenings and film discussion, February 10th at 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., and February 11th at 3:00 p.m. Small monetary donations are appreciated, as are adult and children’s book donations for the CJUE Reading Center Program. For information, call 519-300-3623 or visit the Coalition for Justice Unity Equity Facebook page.
Sunday, February 11th: The Windsor West Indian Association will host its annual Black History Brunch on Sunday, February 11th, 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m., featuring delicious Caribbean Cuisine, at the Caribbean Centre, 2410 Central Avenue in Windsor. Adults $20.00. Children 12 and under $8.00. For further information or tickets, call (519) 945-0213.
Monday, February 12th: Join us at the Northstar Cultural Community Centre, 225A Erie Street East, Feb. 12th, 6:00-7:00 p.m., as we study “Rollcall,” a poem by George Elliott Clarke, Canada’s Parliamentary Poet Laureate. This poem was created at the request of the Government of Canada as part of its Black History Month 2017 campaign and in conjunction with Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation. “Rollcall” underlines that African/Black Canadian history is Canadian citizens working heroically in the past, dynamically in the present and inspired for the future. The names represent individuals whose
stories compose our history and our current struggles to triumph and success. Participants are asked to download the poem from Heritage Canada or NorthstarCentre.org websites or stop by the NCCCentre office or leave a telephone message (519-252-7143) to have a copy reserved. Assignment: glance through the pages and underline the names of the people that you are aware of. Please bring your copy with you to the workshop! (Note: this program is also happening on Wednesday, February 28th, 1:00-2:00 p.m.)
Monday, February 12th: All are welcome to join the Essex County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society for a large screen webcast of Guylaine Pétrin’s presentation, “Land of Canaan: Researching Black Ancestors in Canada before Confederation.” The web cast will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Central Branch of the Windsor Public Library, 850 Ouellette Avenue (Fred Israel Auditorium on the lower level.) Guylaine Pétrin is a bilingual librarian at Glendon College at York University. She is also a genealogist and historical researcher, specializing in Upper Canada. Beginning in 1793, Upper Canada became a haven for African Americans seeking freedom and political rights. While this webinar uses examples from Black genealogy, many of the sources are useful for anyone whose ancestors lived in Upper Canada during this period.
Thursday, February 15th: Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor (WEST) invites community members to join us as we highlight two pivotal women who made history during the Civil Rights Movement. Join us for a Movie Matinee to celebrate Black History Month at WEST. Thursday February 15, 2018, from 12:30 till 2:30 pm we will be showing:
The Rosa Parks Story: December 1, 1955, when, bone-weary after a long day’s work as a seamstress at a Montgomery department store, she refuses to give up her seat on a bus and is promptly arrested. Thus are the wheels set in motion for the first major Civil Rights demonstration of the 1950s. This is a free event and the community is encouraged to attend. To signup to attend, please call Lillian at 519-256- 6621 ext. 250 or email lgallant@westofwindsor.com for further information. WEST is located at 201-647 Ouellette Ave, with a back entrance on Pelisser We look forward to seeing you.
Thursday, February 15th: The Essex County Black Historical Research Society is pleased to host historians Bryan and Shannon Prince for a talk about the historically significant Lemmon Slave Case, including some fascinating connections to both Buxton and Essex County. The presentation is happening Feb. 15th at 7:00 p.m. at the United Way Windsor Centraide, 300 Giles Blvd. E. at McDougall, and is free to the public. All are welcome. For information, contact ecbhrs@gmail.com.
Friday, February 16th: An Evening of Jazz featuring Shahida Nurullah and Vaughn Klugh, with special guests Crissi Cochrane, Soul Brother Mike, and the Coffee House Combo, at All Saints’ Anglican Church, 330 City Hall Square, Windsor, Friday, February 3rd, 7:30-10:00 p.m. Tickets: $15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 students with valid ID. Refreshments available for purchase. Come early to snag a seat. Street and municipal lot parking available. Jazz originated in the African American community of New Orleans in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, developing from roots in blues and ragtime, and has since spread around the world, giving rise to many distinctive styles as the genre collided with various musical cultures.
Saturday, February 17th: The African Community Organization of Windsor will host its 6th Annual Black History Month Celebration on February 17th at 6:00 p.m. at the WFCU Centre (Collavino Hall), 8787 McHugh Street in Windsor, with keynote speakers Dr. Mark Awuku and critically acclaimed author Mrs. Fartumo Kusow. The theme is “Building a Strong Legacy through Meaningful Community Involvement.” A fashion show, dance performances, a cash bar, and a dinner featuring African and Canadian cuisine will be included. Tickets are $30 in advance/$40 at the door per adult, $50 in advance/$70 at the door per couple, $20 in advance/$30 at the door per student with valid ID, and $12 in advance/$15 at the door per child. All proceeds will benefit ACOW’s community outreach programs. For information or tickets, contact (519) 551-3916, (226) 349-2358, (519) 988-5137, or (226) 260-4273
Saturday, February 17th: Celebrating a form of expression that emerged from African American culture, the Black Box Theatre hosts Gospel inside the Black Box Theatre, featuring Rodney Jones, Saturday, February 17th, 8:00-10:00 p.m. The Black Box Theatre is located at the Open Space Art Studio inside S.T.A.G., 3735 King Street in Windsor. Suggested donation: $10.00 (a Bloomfield House Fundraiser.)
Monday, February 19th: The Northstar Cultural Community Centre will host a Family Day Youth Workshop on Monday, February 19th, 2:00-3:00 p.m., at 225A Erie Street East. Explore a Black-focused educational activity booklet based on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM.) This experience will be suitable for young people aged 10 and older, while parents/guardians are welcome to observe. Call (519) 252-7143 for further details.
Friday, February 23rd: Celebrating traditions of Black poetry, the Black Box Theatre hosts Poetry inside the Black Box Theatre, Friday, February 23rd, 8:00-10:00 p.m. The Black Box Theatre is located at the Open Space Art Studio inside S.T.A.G., 3735 King Street in Windsor. Suggested donation: $10.00 (a Bloomfield House Fundraiser.)
Saturday, February 24th: Sandwich First Baptist Church will host a Black/Afrikan History Month Underground Railroad Open House, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., February 24th at 3652 Peter Street in Windsor. The event will feature Underground Railroad tours of this National Historic Site, along with Black/Afrikan History Movies, a Visual Arts and Crafts Sale, and soul food available for purchase in the adjoining Freedom Hall. For more information, contact Sister Lana Talbot (Church Clerk/Tour Coordinator) at (519) 252-4917.
Sunday, February 25th: The Windsor West Indian Association’s annual Black History Tea is happening on Sunday, February 25th, 2:00-6:00 p.m. at the Caribbean Centre, 2410 Central Avenue, Windsor. The focus this year is on the importance of reading, featuring books by the West Indian children’s author Zetta Elliott. Admission by donation. For information call (519) 945-0213.
Sunday, February 25th: The Southwestern Ontario African Methodist Episcopal Churches will gather for Founders’ Day on Sunday, February 25th at 3:00 p.m. at Campbell AME Church, 20 Prince St. S. Chatham ON, with current Bishop, the Right Reverend John Franklin White, as preacher. Join area AMEs for this 202nd anniversary of the global AME church.
Wednesday, February 28th: (Note—this program is also happening on Monday, February 12th, 6:00-7:00 p.m.) Join us at the Northstar Cultural Community Centre, 225A Erie Street East, Feb. 28th, 1:00-2:00 p.m., as we study “Rollcall,” a poem by George Elliott Clarke, Canada’s Parliamentary Poet Laureate. This poem was created at the request of the Government of Canada as part of its Black History Month 2017 campaign and in conjunction with Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation. “Rollcall” underlines that African/Black Canadian history is Canadian citizens working heroically in the past, dynamically in the present and inspired for the future. The names represent individuals whose stories compose our history and our current struggles to triumph and success. Participants are asked to download the poem from Heritage Canada or NorthstarCentre.org websites or stop by the NCCCentre office or leave a telephone message (519-252-7143) to have a copy reserved. Assignment: glance through the pages and underline the names of the people that you are aware of. Please bring your copy with you to the workshop!
Keep up to date on 2018 Black History Month events happening in Windsor-Essex County
This activity schedule will be officially launched January 26th, 2018 and updated regularly online. Visit https://amherstburgfreedom.org/black-history-month/ on or after January 26th for the latest and most accurate information.
Follow BlackHistoryWindsor @ecbhrs
Look for our 2018 Black History Month Windsor-Essex page.
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