Black History Month 2023

February is Black History Month, a month dedicated to honouring and celebrating the accomplishments of Canadians of African descent.

We encourage you, this month and all year long, to learn about Black community members who have helped shape what Chatham-Kent is today.

There are many events taking place across Chatham-Kent this month. See the flyer below for details and feel free to share. Click the flyer to enlarge it.

We would like to thank the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum, Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History, and our colleagues across the Municipality of Chatham-Kent for their partnerships and continued work to preserve and share our local and national history.

Note: Click flyer below to enlarge.

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Black History Month 2023 Events:

BLACK HISTORY MONTH FLAG RAISING

Civic Centre, 315 King St W, Chatham, February 1st, 12:00pm

Everyone is welcome!

JEOPARDY NIGHT

Red Barn Brewing Co., February 9th, 6:30pm

The Buxton Museum is hosting Jeopardy, in honour of Black History Month. All questions will be Black History related, with 3 contestants. It's an interactive, immersive experience for the audience to be involved! Stay tuned for more information on the Buxton Museum Facebook.

CK PUBLIC LIBRARY: BLACK HISTORY MONTH STORYTIME

Chatham Branch, 120 Queen St, Chatham, February 11th, 10:00 am

Celebrate the 200th birthday of Canadian icon, Mary Ann Shadd, the first Black female newspaper publisher in Canada. Enjoy a special story-time, trivia and puzzles in partnership with Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum. Registration is required. Visit CKPL website to find more events that are taking place this Black History Month.

DOUGLASS DAY: VIRTUAL TRANSCRIBING EVENT

February 14th, live streamed 12:00pm-3:00pm

Join this virtual event and participate in a transcribe-a-thon uncovering the rich, varied collections of Mary Ann Shadd documents. Watch the livestream and transcribe with others, by visiting the Douglass Day website to register.

NIGHT WITH JAMAAL CODY

Red Barn Brewing Co., February 14th, 7:00pm

Buxton's Next Generation is hosting a "Night with Jamaal Cody" tickets are $35.00 and include, an appetizer, dessert and first beverage. Stay tuned on Buxton's Next Generation Facebook for updates!

FREEDOM! THE SPIRIT AND LEGACY OF BLACK MUSIC

Chatham Capitol Theatre, 238 King St W, Chatham, Feb 12, 7:00 p.m.

Chatham Capitol Theatre presents FREEDOM! The Spirit and Legacy of Black Music created, directed by, and starring Beau Dixon. It features a company of ten superb Black performers and musicians. Visit Chatham Capitol Theatre's website to purchase tickets.

BLACK VOICES (IN)JUSTICE: SUPPORTING BLACK YOUTH REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

March 2nd, 7:00pm

Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History is hosting a livestream event commemorating lawyer, publisher and activist Mary Ann Shadd Cary. Registration is required for this program. For more events, visit the Ontario Heritage Trust website.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH QUIZ

Test your knowledge about Black History in Chatham-Kent to be entered to win tickets to the February 12th performance of FREEDOM! The Spirit and Legacy of Black Music at Capital Theatre or entrance to local museums dedicated to preserving local Black history. Thank you to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, The Buxton National Historical Site & Museum, Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum, Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History, and Buxton’s Next Generation for this partnership! Participate on the Living CK Facebook or Instagram page.

LET US MARCH ON TILL VICTORY IS WON EXHIBIT

Available year-round.

Book CK Museum’s newest travelling exhibit that traces the courageous story of the National Unity Association to end segregation in CK and Ontario. For more information about the exhibit, please visit CK Museum's website.

Contact the Museum for more information and to learn about materials and programming that can accompany the exhibit. Call 519-360-1998 or email ckcccmuseum@chatham-kent.ca. This exhibit is also available virtually on the CK Museum collections website. Tune into CK Museum Facebook for Black History Facts all month long.

Once considered a destination for freedom seekers, Chatham-Kent is home to some of the most successful Black settlements in Canadian history. Learn more at one of Chatham-Kent’s three Black historical sites. Follow their social media pages to learn about Black history and relevant events.

BUXTON NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE & MUSEUM

21975 A.D. Shadd Road, North Buxton.

Take a virtual self-guided or book an in-person tour on Buxton Museum's website. To visit the site in-person you can also email: buxton@ciaccess.com.

CHATHAM-KENT BLACK HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND BLACK MECCA MUSEUM

177 King St E, Chatham

Watch a CKBHS & Black Mecca Museum Virtual Tour on YouTube or book a tour by visiting the CKBHS website.

JOSIAH HENSON MUSEUM OF AFRICAN CANADIAN HISTORY

29251 Freedom Road, Dresden

Register for a 60-minute live tour of the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History on Eventbrite. For more information on free-live virtual tours, Beyond the Underground Railroad: Exploring the legacy of Mary Ann Shadd Cary video, and more special events and programming visit the Ontario Heritage Trust website.