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Did you know that we almost did not have a Black History Month?
I was an at-home mom, still nursing my third child, and I found myself also serving as the newly elected president of the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS), the only Provincial Heritage Organization in Canada dedicated to Black History. Holding the position was a sacred trust, allowing me to support and reflect the Black experience. We realized a few weeks before February 1994 that we were required to formally request a petition from the City of Toronto for Black History Month. Luckily, we got it done, and I vowed to avoid last minute appeals in the future. I secured an annual, automatic proclamation from the City of Toronto, then with the Province of Ontario (through our contact with the Ministry: Daniel O'Brien), then with all the provinces. After outreach to many in the Federal Government, I again approached Jean Augustine, at a fundraiser being held at Denham Jolly's home, to facilitate a national declaration. She agreed to do so, in the presence of Lloyd Perry, and the declaration was passed by December 1995. I was notified of the course of events and orchestrated a bus tour to Ottawa for the first national celebration of February as Black History Month. I was honoured to bring remarks, on behalf of the Black community, at that momentous occasion with the Prime Minister and the Black Caucus in February 1996. I had built upon the efforts of those who had gone before to raise awareness, to create an appetite for such a celebration: Carter G. Woodson the "father of Black History Month"; the Canadian Negro Women's Association (CANEWA); the founders of the OBHS. I had likely given over 2000 talks in schools and community settings between my first volunteer efforts with the OBHS and my tenure as President of the Board of Directors. Such was my commitment, my resilience and my hope for a more equitable society.
I felt that if Black and other racial/ethnic groups just learned more about the contributions, achievements and experiences of Black people in this country, it would help. I hoped that Black History education would roll out from Kindergarten to grade 12, inspired and supported by a now national declaration...