Black History Month

Black History Month reminds us of the rich contributions within our society from people of African descent, and of their ongoing struggle for equity and social justice. Every February, Canadians can participate in festivities and events that honour the legacy of Black Canadians, past and present.

Activities, events and presentations

York Region Alliance Of African Canadian Communities

Please note that the flag raising ceremony that was scheduled for February 13 has been cancelled due to the heavy snowfall warnings for the region.  

Author Visit: Julie Thompson

Friday, February 28, 2025 at 1:30 p.m., Holland Landing

Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA)

Throughout the month of February, the NACCA is hosting various community events to gather, learn and celebrate Black History Month 2025. Events taking place include a flag raising, Black History Month Reception, Art Exhibition and Ujamaa Marketplace, an Energy Hygiene Workshop, a Paint and Sip event, and more. Visit NACCA's website for details. 

Inspiring York Region Black Leaders

The Government of Canada’s 2025 Black History Month theme is “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.” Inspired by this theme, the Town of EG is highlighting current and former Black residents of York Region who have made important achievements and meaningfully contributed to the community. Their amazing work also stands as remarkable examples of resistance to exclusion and forms of anti-Black racism. We thank them for their inspiring leadership. These individuals represent a sample of the community of people who have demonstrated Black Legacy and Leadership in York Region.

Henry Hisson – Community Builder and Entrepreneur

After escaping to Canada in the 1800s through the Underground Railroad, Henry Hisson collaborated with others to establish a settlement for Black People in East Gwillimbury. The settlement became home to several others who survived and escaped enslavement. Hisson later started a highly successful charcoal company, becoming the only distributer of charcoal in the area.

Walter Rolling – Dedicated Educator

Walter Rolling was the Township of King’s first Black educator, with a career in education that lasted over 40 years. He helped shape the minds of many youth. He faced many inequities, including being paid less than his white colleagues during portions of his career. Mr. Rolling eventually became principal of Kinghorn Public School, in King Township, from 1895 to 1936. He was dedicated to his school and taught three generations of families. Kinghorn Public School proclaimed June 19, 1937, as Walter Rolling Day.

Tracy Moore – Canadian TV Personality

Tracy Moore is a former Richmond Hill resident. She hosted the television program CityLine from 2008 to 2024, helping it become one of Canada’s most successful lifestyle TV programs. In January 2023, she was named the winner of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television's Changemaker Award at the 11th Canadian Screen Awards.

Annette Bazira-Okafor – Magazine Founder

In 2016, Annette Bazira-Okafor founded Black Girls Magazine, a children's magazine written by kids aged eight to13 from across the GTA. The magazine provides an impactful platform for young Black girls to have their voices heard and engage in empowering media making.

Andre De Grasse – Olympian

Andre De Grasse grew up in Markham loving track. As a seven-time Olympic medallist, Andre is Canada's all-time most decorated male Olympian. In 2016, Andre also became the first Canadian to win three sprint medals at a single Olympic Games.

Jerisha Grant-Hall – Founder of NACCA and Change Agent

Jerisha Grant-Hall is an award-winning change agent and equity professional based in Newmarket, Ontario. As the founder of the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA), she has dedicated her career to advocating for inclusion, diversity and equity while dismantling anti-Black racism. Under her leadership, NACCA has gained recognition for promoting Black representation and addressing systemic inequities through programs focused on mental health, food security, youth leadership and cultural education. Grant-Hall’s commitment to community engagement is evident in her leadership roles, including chairing the Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee and serving on the York Region Police Services Board Anti-Racism and Building Community Trust Committee. Her impactful work has earned her numerous accolades, including the Canada International Black Woman Excellence Award and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Dr. Jeffrey Thompson – Chair of the YRAACC Board

Dr. Jeffrey Thompson gives back to the community in many ways. He currently serves as a board member and chair of the York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities (YRAACC), a community-led organization established in January 2016 to foster a progressive and cohesive York Region African Canadian Community. In this role, he supports YRAACC in helping the Black community become more grounded in their culture while evoking the best of their African heritage. Dr. Thompson is an accomplished and dynamic Certified Project Manager who leads transformation projects. He is a Past President of the Project Management Institute (PMI) Toronto chapter.

Vanessa Stoby – Founder of Black York Region Youth

Vanessa Stoby has been a passionate and dedicated Secondary School teacher in York Region for 14 years. In her current role within the Provincial Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation’s Communication and Political Action Department, she works tirelessly to protect and enhance public education and empower workers across Canada. Stoby’s dedication to equity is evident through her four-year tenure on the Equity Advisory Group for Provincial OSSTF, where she created and delivered impactful workshops on Racial Justice, Cultivating Resilience, and Poverty and Class Bias. As the founder of the Black Youth York Region group and co-founder of the York Communities for Public Education coalition, Vanessa has been instrumental in combatting discrimination in all its forms within York Region and the Greater Toronto Area. Her work with Black Youth York Region has been recognized with an Ontario Trillium Grant.

Cameron Davis

Cameron Davis is a student and activist from Ontario. In 2020, he spoke at a Black Lives Matter protest, addressing the stresses he faces just trying to be a kid. The speech went viral. Shortly after, he co-founded BYR Youth, an organization that advocates for Black youth in the region of York, Canada, and also promotes allyship and community leadership. He has shared his message locally and globally through speaking engagements with students, police and governments. He has been a youth leader for the Children’s General Assembly, which presents an annual manifesto to the United Nations General Assembly. He created a clothing brand, 721 Merch, which raises money for disenfranchised youth. He is also the recipient of several scholarships, including the Iris Malcolm Memorial Award, the JCA Dudley Laws Memorial Scholarship and the Alliance of Educators for Black Students Lesmond Scholarship. Davis is currently completing a political science degree at the University of Ottawa where he is also a residence community advisor.