CBC recognizes Black History Month

February is Black History Month, a time to honour the legacy of Black Canadians and their communities. 

CBC is celebrating the occasion with a wide range of special programming on all platforms featuring Black creators, storytellers and change-makers, curated and discoverable in one place on CBC's BEING BLACK IN CANADA website.

Highlighting the stories and experiences of Black Canadians year-round, BEING BLACK IN CANADA provides a breadth of content celebrating the culture and achievements of Canada's Black communities while also offering a window into their struggles.

In February, the site will continue to be a hub to showcase Black History Month content from across all areas of CBC including news, documentaries, arts and music.

Scroll down to see some of the great programming you can enjoy this month and beyond. 

Listen to Black History Month segments on CBC Radio B.C. programs on CBC Listen: 

• The Early Edition: A Vancouver artist has brought together musicians, designers, and speakers to celebrate Black History Month. He joins Stephen Quinn to talk about community building with young creatives. Listen here
• The Early Edition: Vancouver-based Petros Kusmu is working to get more Black Canadians into politics in time for this year's municipal election. Listen here
• On The Coast: Local artist Anthony Joseph speaks with Gloria Macarenko about his mural and the history of Hogan's Alley to mark the start of Black History Month. Listen here
• The Early Edition: Where are Canadian schools at when it comes to tackling anti-Black racism? Listen here
• The Early Edition: Who was Joe Fortes? Listen here
• The Early Edition: Dalannah Gail Bowen, Vancouver's Matriarch of the Blues, on her new single "Blues Keep Knockin" Listen here
• On The Coast: BLACK SKIN DEEP: one woman's reckoning with skin colour and history. Listen here
• The Early Edition: Minister of Education meeting with stakeholders from the Black community to discuss anti-Black racism in schools Listen here
• The Early Edition: How different is the experience of being Black in the U.S. and in Canada? Listen here
• On The Coast: An online Wikipedia edit-a-thon helps address knowledge gaps about B.C.'s Black history Listen here
• On The Coast: Vancouver-born writer and historian Wayde Compton on Hogan's Alley Listen here
• The Early Edition: Ethos Labs and empowering youth through science Listen here
• On The Coast: Examining anti-black racism in B.C. Listen here
• On The Coast: Food columnist Shiva Reddy celebrates Black-owned businesses and Black people in hospitality Listen here
• On The Coast: Vancouver's Luc Roderique in The Porter on CBC TV Listen here 
• On The Coast: Canadian jazz legend Louise Rose reflects on Black history in Victoria Listen here
• The Early Edition: A Black entrepreneur talks about the extra set of barriers her community faces in Vancouver Listen here 
• On The Coast: Discussing diversity in this year's municipal elections Listen here 

Read Black History Month stories on cbc.ca/bc:

• Vancouver's first lifeguard Joe Fortes died 100 years ago. What can be learned from his legacy? Read here
• How Victoria's 'gentleman umpire,' a grandson of Black pioneers, inspired a generation of baseball players. Read here
• Victoria councillor Sharmarke Dubow named 'noteworthy historical figure' by Canadian Heritage. Read here
• This student wants to create a library and cultural space for Vancouver's Black community Read here
• Members of B.C.'s Black community set to meet with education minister about Black history curriculum Read here
• B.C. government making 'inadequate progress' in tackling anti-Black racism, report says Read here
• Drag queen Kendall Gender's legacy of helping others persists despite newfound fame Read here 
• Portraits featured in Richmond art show highlight complexity of Black experience Read here
• Vancouver's Black History Month pop-up market connects community with entrepreneurs Read here
• Building a business for Black hair in northern B.C. Read here

Watch Black History Month stories on cbc.ca:

• B.C. woman's passion for outdoors results in the creation of Colour the Trails. Watch here

Two new specials from BEING BLACK IN CANADA

In a new half-hour special Being Black in Canada at The Olympic Games, host Tamika Forrester sits down with Black Canadian athletes to discuss what it means to be representing more than just your country on the world's biggest stage at The Olympic Games.

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Then, in the new 6-part series Being Black in Canada: My Journey Here, Black Canadian immigrants share the joys and obstacles on their paths to Black excellence. From their first steps in Canada to the moments that shaped their lives – these are their journeys.

Throughout February, these stories will be featured on Being Black in Canada, Instagram, CBC Gem and on Canada Tonight with Ginella Massa on CBC News Network. 

Watch the Black History Month Collection on CBC Gem

Enjoy a collection of over 40 Canadian and international titles streaming on CBC GEM including the acclaimed BBC film Anthony, U.S. sketch comedy Sherman's Showcase and documentaries Giants of Africa and How it Feels to be Free from executive producer Alicia Keys. And don't miss 21 Black Futures, an anthology of 21 filmed monodramas commissioned from 21 multigenerational Black playwrights across the country, directed by 21 Black directors and performed by 21 Black actors.

Stream the collection now on CBC Gem, Canada's free streaming service. 

Listen to The Block and Frequencies

Check out national radio shows The Block and Frequencies on CBC Music and CBC Listen! These programs bolster the discovery of Black and global music, respectively, and serve a wider range of musical interests and communities across Canada. 

Hosted by Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe, The Block is a two-hour weekday radio show focused on culture and community, featuring music of Black origin, repping the elements of hip hop from its roots to its far reaching influence. Tune in weeknights at 7 p.m. on CBC Music or CBC Listen.

Frequencies is hosted by Errol Nazareth and highlights musical storytelling from cultures and communities across Canada and stories that revolve around the experiences of Canadians of colour and immigrants who are maintaining and adapting their culture. Listen Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. on CBC Music and CBC Listen.

Watch new series The Porter on CBC TV and CBC Gem 

Set in the roaring 1920s, The Porter offers a dramatic and compelling look at the Black community in a time of extraordinary social and political change. The story is told through the eyes of two Black train porters taking very different paths to liberation. One pushes to create the first Black union in existence, the other chases power on the wrong side of the law, but both have the same goal: to free themselves and their families from oppression.

From Montreal to Chicago and at every stop in between, The Porter tells the story of the people who fought to ignite the civil rights movement in North America.

The Porter premieres Monday, Feb. 21 at 9 p.m. on CBC TV and CBC Gem. 

Listen to Black History Month segments on CBC Listen and read Black History Month stories on cbc.ca/bc.