Every February, people around the world are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honor the legacy of Black Canadians, past and present. Below you will find a list of events happening this month in Hamilton and surrounding communities!
Event & Details |
When & Where |
1. Black History Month Lecture at Griffin House A fascinating lecture that celebrates Black History month with guest speaker Kojo ‘Easy’ Damptey, an Afro-Soul musician and scholar-practitioner, with stories of existence, resilience and resistance. |
Wednesday, February 12: 7:00 to 9:00pm Ancaster Town Hall 310 Wilson Street E., Ancaster |
2. Griffin House Stories Learn about local early Black settler Enerals Griffin. |
Multiple dates & locations:
Ancaster Library, 300 Wilson St E., Ancaster
Dundas Library, 18 Ogilvie St., Dundas
Red Hill Library, 695 Queenston Rd., Hamilton
Turner Park Library, 352 Rymal Rd E., Hamilton |
3. Black History Month Launch Hamilton Black History Council hosting free event with speakers, vendor pop-up, artists, spotlight on local history makers and shapers |
Saturday, Jan 31: 4:00 – 7:00pm Central Library, 55 York Boulevard, Hamilton |
4. Underground Railroad paper quilt Learn about the Underground Railroad Quilt codes and make a paper quilt. |
Multiple dates & locations:
Turner Park Library, 352 Rymal Rd E., Hamilton
Westdale Library, 955 King St W., Hamilton |
5. Black History of Flamborough Learn about the contributions of Black people in Flamborough’s past. |
Thursday, February 6: 7:00 – 8:00pm Waterdown Library, 163 Dundas St E., Dundas |
6. Holiday Crafts – Peace Wreath Ages 4-8 yrs. Create a peace wreath in honour of Black History Month. |
Thursday, February 13: 3:30 – 5:00pm Terry Berry Library, 100 Mohawk Road W., Hamilton |
7. Lecture by Anne Jarvis In recognition of Black History Month, join us for a talk by Anne Jarvis, who will tell the Griffin family story and their connection to Ancaster. |
Tuesday, February 11: 7:30 to 9:00pm Battlefield House Museum & Park, 77 King St W., Hamilton Cost: Free for members. $2 for non-members. |
8. Black Youth Pathways to Success Together We Rise / S'Élever Ensemble (TWR-SEE) is pleased to hold its annual Black history event. This year’s event is centered on Black youth. A moderated panel discussion on the challenges and realities faced by Black youth in their journey to success. Prior to the event, TWR will reveal its new logo and provide a summary of our projects in the past year. The event will also have a celebratory component highlighting youth. Admission is free of charge and light refreshment/ snacks will be provided. |
Wednesday, February 5: 5:00 – 8:00pm Hamilton Central Library, 55 York Blvd, Hamilton |
9. Movie - Honour before Glory (2002, PG) Docudrama about Canada's only all-Black military battalion that was formed during World War I. Above all, the film pays homage to the black soldiers of the Number Two Construction Battalion who showed that the measure of a man is made through the courage in his heart and not by the colour of his skin. Program includes a talk by director Anthony Sherwood. |
Multiple dates:
Ancaster Library, 300 Wilson St E., Ancaster
Turner Park Library, 352 Rymal Rd E., Hamilton
Turner Park Library, 352 Rymal Rd E., Hamilton
Central Library, 55 York Boulevard, Hamilton |
10. Movie - Queen and Slim (14A) In partnership with Ancaster 2020 Film Fest, Griffin House National Historic Site is pleased, a recently released film in celebration of Black History Month. While on a forgettable first date together in Ohio, a black man (Get Out's Daniel Kaluuya) and a black woman (Jodie Turner-Smith, in her first starring feature-film role), are pulled over for a minor traffic infraction. The situation escalates, with sudden and tragic results, when the man kills the police officer in self-defense. Terrified and in fear for their lives, the man, a retail employee, and the woman, a criminal defense lawyer, are forced to go on the run. But the incident is captured on video and goes viral, and the couple unwittingly become a symbol of trauma, terror, grief and pain for people across the country. |
Multiple times: Monday February 10 1:00 to 3:30pm or 7:15 to 9:15pm Cineplex Cinemas Ancaster, 771 Golf Links Rd Cost: $10 |
11. Movie – Toni Morrison: The pieces I am (PG) In partnership with Ancaster 2020 Film Fest, Griffin House National Historic Site, a recently released film in celebration of Black History Month. This artful and intimate meditation on the legendary story- teller examines her life, her works and the powerful themes she has confronted throughout her literary career. |
Monday, February 10: 4:00 to 6:15pm Cineplex Cinemas Ancaster, 771 Golf Links Rd Cost: $10 |