As we get ready to kick off Black History Month, CBC is again excited to showcase all the rich news and programming surrounding the Black Canadian experience throughout February and year-round. Here's some of the programming you can watch, listen and read over the month ahead.
CBC News
CBC website Being Black in Canada highlights the stories and experiences of Black Canadians year-round, providing a wide range of content celebrating the culture and achievements of Canada's Black communities while also offering an inspiring glimpse into their resilience and successes.
Legacy Echoes: Passing Down Our Roots (4x5min)
Available beginning Thursday, February 1 at cbc.ca/beingblackincanada |An episode will air every Wednesday in February on CBC News Network's CANADA TONIGHT and CBC Gem, and all four episodes will air as a half-hour special on CBC News Network, CBC News Explore and CBC Gem on Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25.
Through a blend of documentary-style interviews and personal narratives, Legacy Echoes: Passing Down Our Roots offers a look at the rich tapestry of multigenerational Black families as they navigate the intricate journey of transferring culture, traditions and stories from one generation to the next. Each episode will focus on a different aspect of Black cultural transfer, shedding light on the significance of language, dance, food and parenting/sex talk — together they weave a powerful narrative of cultural preservation and evolution.
Being Black In Canada — CBC Black Changemakers 2024
Nominations are open now for CBC Quebec and CBC Atlantic until Friday, March 8
The CBC Black Changemakers editorial series, in its fourth year in Quebec and second year in Atlantic Canada, recognizes individuals who are creating positive change in their community through actions big and small. From creators and community organizers to students and entrepreneurs, the series highlights current-day changemakers helping to shape our future and inspire others. Starting this spring, the 2024 CBC Black Changemakers will be highlighted across CBC platforms.
CBC Black Changemakers Podcast
The first episode will be available beginning Monday, February 5 on CBC Listen and everywhere podcasts are available.
What makes someone a changemaker? And how can their stories inspire others to make changes in their own lives and community? Host Dionne Codrington goes searching for the DNA of a changemaker by revisiting the personal stories and insights of four laureates from CBC's Black Changemakers project.
CBC Gem
For The Culture With Amanda Parris (6x60)
Now streaming on CBC Gem
In this point-of-view documentary series, award-winning writer, executive producer and host Amanda Parris leaves the wars raging on social media to create space for urgent and provocative conversations that centre Blackness and Black folks. Travelling to where the stories are, she'll talk with cultural leaders, activists, scholars and everyday people — including writer and producer Larry Wilmore, best-selling author Bolu Babalola, comedian Gina Yashere and the "Robin Hood of Restitution" Mwazulu Diyabanza — about topics such as reparations, Black maternal health, the business of Black hair and more. Each episode will make transnational connections and push the conversation beyond the hashtags. Mixing travel, in-depth interviews and abbreviated history lessons, FOR THE CULTURE brings the conversations that have been taking place in the margins and centres them in an insightful and entertaining way.
CBC Gem's Black History Month Collections
CBC Gem offers four Black History Month collections - Black Stories, Celebrating Black History, Black Music & Art, And Must Watch Black Leads — featuring over 60 series, films and documentaries that explore Black history and culture, and celebrate Black success. Highlights include documentary On The Line: The Richard Williams Story (Feb. 1) featuring the father of Venus and Serena Williams as he retraces his family's meteoric journey; Le Mythe De La Femme Noire (The Myth Of The Black Woman) (Feb. 1), an award-winning documentary that investigates the images of Black women in Western societies; feature film Marshall (Feb. 2) starring the late Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) as Thurgood Marshall, America's first African-American Supreme Court Justice; and International Emmy Award-nominated UK comedy/drama Dreaming Whilst Black (streaming now) created by and starring BAFTA Award-winner Adjani Salmon.
Being Black In Halifax — Being Black In Montreal — Being Black In Toronto
2023 films begin streaming Monday, February 12 on CBC Gem
CBC's Absolutely Canadian series showcases films from emerging directors who were part of the Fabienne Colas Foundation's Being Black in Canada mentorship program, dedicated to Black filmmakers.
CBC Music
The CBC Music Playlist Challenge - #BlackMusicMatters Edition
February 5 – March 26
Celebrate Black History Month in the classroom with the CBC Music Playlist Challenge. Music educators are encouraged to download the free lesson plan on Hip Hop and Social Justice in Canada, and then submit a 15-song YouTube playlist of favourite Black Canadian artists. Their class could win a virtual concert with Chad Price. Visit cbcmusic.ca/musicclass beginning February 1 or email playlist@cbc.ca for more information.
Canadian Black Music Trailblazers on The Block
Tuesdays and Thursdays in February on CBC Music's The Block
Every Tuesday and Thursday in February, host Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe will highlight a prominent figure in Canadian Black music history. From Portia White to Dubmatique to Measha Brueggergosman and more, these Black Canadians have made a tremendous impact on the music industry in this country. Tune into Canadian Black Music Trailblazers on The Block, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. on CBC Music and CBC Listen.
CBC Radio/CBC Podcasts
Saskatchewan Weekend
Saturday, February 3 between 6-9 a.m. CT on CBC Radio and CBC Listen
A Norwegian accordionist may have released the first-ever LP in Saskatchewan but thanks to an influx of African newcomers, the province's fastest emerging genre today is Afrobeats! Join Lagos, Nigeria-raised Saskatoon musician Adéola and host Shauna Powers as they introduce us to the vibrant sounds of a new Saskatchewan.
PlayME - 'da Kink In My Hair
Available on CBC Listen and everywhere podcasts are available
Part One | Available beginning Wednesday, February 7
Part Two | Available beginning Wednesday, February 14
Playwright Interview available beginning Wednesday, February 21
PlayME transforms the way audiences experience theatre by turning contemporary plays into bingeable audio dramas. For Black History Month, PlayME presents the audio adaptation of playwright Trey Anthony's 'da Kink in My Hair, the groundbreaking hit show turned TV series which just celebrated its 20th anniversary. Set in a West Indian hair salon in Toronto, 'da Kink in My Hair gives voice to a group of women who tell us their unforgettable, moving and often hilarious stories.
CBC Black History Month Events Across the Country
Community Ripe Plantain Pancake Breakfast (Beaumont, in Leduc County, AB)
Saturday, February 3 at Le Rendez-Vous
In partnership with the Black Impact Alliance Foundation of Beaumont, CBC Edmonton will moderate a Q&A on the Black experience at the pancake breakfast. This is the first Black History Month celebration in Beaumont. More information is available here.
Ethnik Festival of Arts and Culture
Friday, February 9 to Saturday, February 10 at the Telus Convention Centre (Calgary)
A celebration of Black History (Excellence) Month each year, Ethnik Festival of Arts and Culture brings a world of creativity, diversity and inclusivity to the city. As a partner for the event, CBC Calgary is pleased to highlight local and international artists in our community.
For the Culture with Amanda Parris—Screening and Conversation (Toronto)
Tuesday, February 6 at TIFF Bell Lightbox
To celebrate the launch of new point-of-view documentary series For the Culture with Amanda Parris, creator, producer, and host Amanda Parris will appear in person for a free screening of the first episode and an onstage conversation about the series, and the issues that prompted it. Following the premiere, CBC's Being Black in Canada will host a reception in The Gallery at TIFF to celebrate the rich tapestry of the Black community in Canada and offer a preview of Being Black in Canada's new series Legacy Echoes: Passing Down Our Roots. Learn more, and claim free tickets, here.
Black Life: Untold StoriesLocal Screenings
Thursday, February 8 at the Canadian Museum of History (Ottawa)
Thursday, February 22 at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (Winnipeg)
Documentary series BLACK LIFE: UNTOLD STORIES, streaming now on CBC Gem, reframes the rich and complex histories of Black experiences in Canada, dispelling commonly accepted myths and celebrating the many contributions of Black Canadians.
Pop in and Play
Tuesday, February 20 at the Western Development Museum (Saskatoon)
Join us in the Education Room (9 a.m. - 4 p.m. CT) for a very special edition of Pop in and Play with the WDM about Black History and Culture in Saskatchewan. Learn about Adinkra symbols and Black culture in Saskatchewan while creating a communal paper quilt. This program was created in partnership between the WDM, the Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum, CBC's Black on the Prairies project and Black Lives Matter YXE. Activities are designed for ages 3-6 with visitors of all ages welcome. Free with Museum admission.
CBC Arts
On February 1, CBC Arts will unveil a new Black History Month-themed logo from artist and designer Black Power Barbie (Amika Cooper), redesigned in an animated Afrofuturist style and accompanied by an artist profile.
CBC Books
In February, CBC Books will unveil its annual Black Canadian Writers to Watch list, including emerging and exciting Black Canadian writers, authors and poets poised to make waves in the national and international literary scenes. Notable names on past lists include award winners such as Ian Williams, Canisia Lubrin, David Chariandy, francesca ekwuyasi and more. Throughout the month, CBC Books is featuring reading lists of recent and notable books by Black writers, for genres including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, comics, children's books and more. CBC Books will also feature a reading list in support of the CBC original point-of-view documentary series For the Culture with Amanda Parris, and a "My Life in Books" feature highlighting book recommendations from Parris herself.
CBC Kids
CBC Kids and CBC Kids News are celebrating Black History Month with a YouTube playlist of shorts, sports, songs, dances, books and full episodes for kids and tweens, with select shorts also airing as part of the CBC Kids morning lineup on CBC TV all month long. CBCKids.ca (ages 6-10) and CBC Kids News (ages 9+) offer age-appropriate context on the history and significance of Black History Month, including a new CBC Kids News feature talking to kids at Toronto's Africentric Alternative School. The February edition of CBC Kids' monthly newsletter for parents, Raising CBC Kids, will be written by CBC News journalist and host of Marketplace, Asha Tomlinson, with a focus on Black History Month. The newsletter will be shared February 9, sign-up here to receive it.
CBC Sports
New original CBC Sports video features in February include a peer-to-peer conversation with Sarah Nurse and Saroya Tinker on their experiences as Black women in hockey, putting the spotlight on the Professional Women's Hockey League and two trailblazers in the women's hockey space. In addition, CBC Sports will cover the first "Nursey Night," organized in conjunction with the Black Girl Hockey Club, as Nurse hosts young Black girls at games each month. The video features will be available at cbcsports.ca, on the CBC Sports app and on the CBC Sports YouTube page.
For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of.
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