Black History Month 2022
Date Posted: Monday, January 31, 2022
Since 1995, Black History Month has officially been recognized in Canada every February. It is an opportunity to celebrate and honour the legacy of a racialized community that has contributed so much to our city’s vibrancy.
Here are some ways you can participate in Black History month this year:
READS
CANADA
- How Black History month came to be in Canada
- Black Albertans you should know
- Who is John Ware, Alberta’s first cowboy
- Black on the Prairies
- Saga Boy, my life of blackness and becoming by Antonio Michael Downing
HISTORY
- 11 books to honor Black History Month
- 26 Black History Facts that you may not know
- The Skin We’re In, a year of Black resistance and Power by Desmond Cole
- Willie, the game changing story of the NHL’s first black player – Willie O’Ree
LIFESTYLE/CULTURE
- Burning Sugar by Cicely Belle Blain
- Canadian Black content creators you should follow Fashion/Beauty/Skin Care/Travel
- Life In Motion, African American ballerina by Misty Copeland
PODCASTS & VIDEOS
- 6 Black led CBC Podcasts to listen to
- History – Portraits of Black Canadians
- Celebrate Black History Month with Ted Talks
- The 40 best black movies to stream on Netflix right now
- YYC Colours Documentary
- 1619 The New York Times
- Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap (Netflix)
- 13th Documentary (Netflix)
ORGANIZATIONS & RESOURCES
- ActionDignity
- Calgary Public Library
- Black Lives Matter Calgary
- Calgary Black Chambers
- She Meets YYC
SUPPORT LOCAL
Here are just some of the incredible Calgary Black-owned businesses and brands you can support locally.
SELF CARE & BEAUTY
- Ellie Bianca Beauty / @elliebiancabeauty
- Adoniaa Beauty / @adoniaabeauty
- T’oria Skincare / @toriaskincare
- Sugar YYC / @sugar.yyc
FASHION & ACCESSORIES
- Alora Boutique / @aloraboutique
- Adesso Man / @adressoman
- Ashabi Wears / @ashabiwears
- Coutukitsch / @coutukitsch
- Joyce’s Closet / @joycesclosetyyc
- Modern Civic / @modern.civic
- TeamBMB Apparel / @teambmbapparel
- Tish Jewelry / @tishjewelry
LIFESTYLE
- Harpers Candles & More / @harpercandlesandmore
- Ninth and Brick / @ninthandbrick
- Mersi Cookware & Co. / @mersicookware
- Sphere Optometry / @fittoreadproject
FOODIE
- AK Kitchen / @ahinkeskitchen
- Bolo Cakery / @bolocakery
- Chakalaka / @mamaafricayyc
- Pepchops BBQ / @pepchops
- True Ethiopian Coffee / @aggudo_coffee
- KFS BBQ Smokehouse
- Simply Irie – Caribbean Cuisine
PARTICIPATE
EVENTS
Ethnik Festival of Arts and Culture 2022: @ethnikfestival
The Global Online Edition 2.0
February 26 at 6 p.m.
Calgary Public Library Black History Month events @calgarylibrary
Virtual
Throughout February
Celebrate Black History Month with UCalgary @ucalgary
Virtual
Throughout February
Black Art: A Conversation @calgaryfolkfest
Virtual as part of Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater
February 20 at 3 p.m.
UNGANISHA: Explore. Connect. Dance. @woezoafrica
Virtual
February 26 at 6 p.m.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @LIFEINCALGARY
Meet the Calgary Black content creators taking over the @lifeincalgary Instagram this month. Follow along their Calgary adventures.
Chinenye Mary Otakpor: February 1 – February 6
Meet Chinenye Otakpor, a rehabilitation specialist by day and fashion lifestyle blogger by night. Specializing in mental health Chinenye sees the importance of having a creative outlet and balance outside of work. Since starting her blog “queensplayground”. Fashion styling has become a second passion helping others find the light and beauty in themselves.
“I continue to strive to be better and with the continuous support from my city, my passion will continue to grow”. - Chinenye Mary Otakpor
Franck Mbikayi: February 8 – February 13
Meet Franck Mbikayi, born in Kinshasa Congo in Central Africa. Inspired by his mother’s cooking sparked interest in Franck to pursue the culinary arts. From Northern Alberta to Montreal Franck graduated from SAIT’s professional culinary program and spent most of his career working for the Oliver & Bonicini restaurant group working & learning alongside professional chefs. Franck now works for a meal prep company allowing time and creativity to work on his Youtube channel.
Justin Mulrain: February 15 – February 20
Meet Justin Mulrain born and raised Calgarian who works in the model beauty industry with a focus on content creation. Justin takes inspiration from powerful black figures whom have paved the way for opportunities to have success and accomplishments available. Justin states how being confident in who you are and where you’re from is important to building yourself as a person and a brand.
Tanisha Cherry: February 22 – February 27
Tanisha Cherry is an influencer/content creator who shares moments of her life online to inspire marginalized millennial women to live beyond the glass ceiling. You can find Tanisha on Youtube and listen to her podcast.
Chinenye Mary Otakpor, Franck Mbikayi, Justin Mulrain, Tanisha Cherry