The experiences of Black people in Canada is a complex and multicultural story. Often Toronto serves as a focal point for Black experience, but Black Canadian identity is so diverse from one region to another. Partnering with Black organizations and collectives outside of the city allows us to share these narratives and connect Black Communities to stories they may not have heard before. It is important to connect with and sustain a national network of Black cultural institutions to build a stronger Black National Narrative which is long overdue.

For Black History Month BAND and UPLift Black Arts have partnered to present an exhibition focusing on Black military history in Canada.

Military stories of heroism are remembered and commemorated with medals or written about in textbooks, but many stories of the Black men and women who have served have been forgotten. This exhibition puts a spotlight on Black military contributions. Sharing these stories and portraits is part of the greater struggle to challenge dominant Euro-Canadian historical national narratives. In stories like these, we can see the kind of racism that shapes memory, that leads to unheard and forgotten histories.

The archival photographs presented in this exhibition give face to a forgotten history. Archival photography is instrumental in telling the history of Black people in Canada. This documentation of our people cannot be ignored or denied, and is vital to preservation of our story for future generations.

This talk will focus on the importance of documentation and archives, and will examine the process of record keeping and the connecting history to the present.

Guest speakers include; Assistant Professor Dr. Cheryl Thompson and Historian, Janie Cooper Wilson, with performances from Gwyn Beaver and Alex Showdra.