Black History Month aims to celebrate, honour, increase knowledge, and amplify the voices of Black communities by recognizing their rich history and achievements, fostering connection, and bringing together McGill students, staff, and faculty, and alumni and members within and beyond the Montreal community.
Hosting an event for McGill Black History Month? Submit the details to this form and we will add it to the list of events below.
Tuesday, February 4, 4:00-6:00 PM ET
Desautels Faculty of Management, Armstrong Building, 3rd floor event space
Join the Laidley Centre for Business Ethics and Equity with McGill Black Alumni Association for a dynamic Black History Month panel discussion that addresses a significant societal issue highlighted by Statistics Canada: only 2% of Canadian businesses are Black-owned, and among these, fewer than 30% are led by women. This event aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical experiences by bringing together esteemed scholars and practicing entrepreneurs who are making significant strides in Montreal and across Canada.
Wednesday, February 5, 7:30-9:30 PM ET
In-person: Elizabeth Wirth Building, Tanna Schulich Hall | On-line: Livestream via YouTube
Eric Reed, piano (guest artist)
Taurey Butler, piano (guest artist)
Rufus Reid, bass (guest artist)
Darrell Green, drums
Ranee Lee, jazz voice
Camille Thurman, jazz voice and saxophone
Centennial Singers, directed by Lorenzo Somma
Wednesday, February 12, 11:30 AM-2:30 PM ET
School of Social Work, 550 Sherbrook Street West, Suite 100 (1st floor, East Tower Elevator)
Roots of Strength: Celebrating Black Excellence and Perseverance honours the resilience, creativity, and achievements of Black communities. This event highlights thriving amidst challenges, showcasing speakers, performers, and culture through food and art. It inspires deeper understanding and solidarity while celebrating the joy, pride, and strength that define Black excellence. Organized by the McGill School of Social Work and Black Access McGill.
Wednesday, February 12, 12:00-1:00 PM ET
Online (zoom). Registration here.
This webinar features researchers from McGill and D2R’s Senior EDI Advisor and will explore the importance of Black people in RNA therapeutics, highlighting their role in research practices and research design. Speakers will also discuss the success factors of Black participation and career progression in research.
Wednesday, February 12, 1:00–2:30 PM ET
New Chancellor Day Hall, Maxwell Cohen Moot Court (Room 100), 3644 Peel Street, Montreal
The Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism (CHRLP) and the FR Scott Chair in Public and Constitutional Law are hosting the MacNaughton Public Lecture to celebrate the Black History Month with Professor Adrien Wing, Director of the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights and the Associate Dean for International and Comparative Law Programs and the Bessie Dutton Murray Professor at the University of Iowa College of Law. No registration required.
Panelist : Mtre Tamara Thermitus, Ad E; Professor Sarah Riley Case; and, Adams Burke Fellow Lena Dzifa Phillips | Moderator Professor Vrinda Narain.
Thursday, February 13, 3:30-7:00 PM ET
2001 McGill College Avenue, 11th floor, room 1140
The Black History Month (BHM) Planning Collective of the School of Population and Global Health invite the McGill community for an informative and engaging discussion on "Health promotion interventions in Black communities across Canada". The discussion will be led by a panel of remarkable McGill faculty and students working on health equity and well-being in Black communities through the lens of varied disciplines, including Education, Psychology, Family Medicine, and Public Health.
There will be light refreshments and live music before the discussion, as well as food and drinks afterwards.
Monday, February 17, 4:00-6:00 PM ET
McGill Faculty Club, 3450 McTavish Street
Join the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada (MISC) on February 17th for the launch of OmiSoore H. Dryden’s new book, Got Blood to Give: Anti-Black Homophobia in Blood Donation. Through storytelling, theorizing and discourse analysis, this book investigates how anti-Black homophobic nation-building policies became enshrined in blood donation. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A and reception. This event is free and open to public; registration is required.
Tuesday, February 18, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM ET
Peterson Hall Room 116, 3460 rue McTavish, Montreal, QC, H3A 0E6, CA
This masterclass, an interactive workshop on the Black Atlantic and African Diaspora scholarship, is designed to be a welcoming and engaging space for upper-year undergraduate and graduate students. You will have the opportunity to participate in discussions with Drs. Alphonso F. Saville, IV and Ayodeji Ogunnaike.
Tuesday, February 18, Lecture 5:00-6:30 PM ET, Reception 6:30-8:00 PM ET
Lecture in Room 150 and Reception in Room 160, Art Building, 853 rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montreal
In this guest lecture presented by the Department of History and Classical Studies, Dr. Saville situates John Marrant, an 18th-century free Black preacher, within broader debates on race, religion, and transatlantic networks, offering insights into the role of Black spirituality in shaping political and social movements. This lecture challenges conventional interpretations of early African American religious history and highlights Marrant’s enduring significance in conversations about race, faith, and resistance.
Tuesday, February 18, 5:00-9:00 PM ET
University Centre Building, Room 106, 3480 McTavish St, Montreal
Queer McGill (SSMU Service) wants to highlight the success of Black individuals in a variety of fields (perhaps favourite memories or any obstacles overcome in their careers). The goal is to inspire and celebrate the diverse achievements of Black professionals across various sectors, while providing representation and role models for younger generations. Additionally, they hope to have a "mini-market" for students to come explore different Black-led groups found within Montreal.
Tuesday, February 18, 6:00-8:00 PM ET
Arts West 120, Arts Building, 853 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal
The Department of English welcomes Dr. Phanuel Antwi as our 2025 Spector Lecturer. He holds the Canada Research Chair in Black Arts and Epistemologies and is Associate Professor in the Department of English Language and Literatures at the University of British Columbia. He is also an artist, teacher, and organiser concerned with race, poetics, intimacy, and struggle. His lecture arises out of his recent book, On Cuddling: Loved to Death in the Racial Embrace, which examines how racial violence is enacted through intimacy.
Wednesday, February 19, 3:00 - 4:30 PM ET
Black Student Space (Room 216), Ferrier Building, 840 Dr Penfield Ave, Montreal
Got questions about your career? Need quick feedback on your CV, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile? Current students are invited to swing by and get your career moving! Here’s how it works:
Thursday, February 20, 4:00-6:00 PM ET
HYBRID EVENT. In-person: Ingram School of Nursing, 680 Sherbrooke St. W, Montreal, Room 1825. Online: Zoom link.
This event will feature delicious food, an exhibit of collage art and a talk by Sandrine Staco who will explore how to honor Black culinary traditions, celebrating their rich heritage, cultural significance, and nutritional value. Co-hosted by the Ingram School of Nursing and CBNA-McGill.
Saturday, February 22, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM
SSMU Ballroom, 3480 McTavish St, Montréal
The Africa Speaks Conference (ASC), hosted by the McGill African Students Society (MASS), is an annual event bringing together students, faculty, and professionals to exchange on Africa’s growth and potential. Since its debut, ASC has covered many subjects, sparking discussions and celebrating the culture. The 2025 edition will focus on the growth of Basketball in Africa. The conference will feature panels and keynotes exploring the sport’s development, global impact, and local opportunities for African talent.
During the networking portion, attendees will also have the time to connect, share ideas, and learn more about the African sports industry and career opportunities.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 12:00-1:00 PM ET
680 Sherbrooke West, Room 1025
For Black History Month 2025, School of Continuing Studies (SCS) is organizing a special Book Club and they invite staff, instructors, students, and the wider SCS community to join them in celebration and reflection.
Join SCS in-person for the SCS Black History Month Special Book Club discussion, moderated by Dean Carola Weil. Attendees will explore the themes of Cross-Border Cosmopolitans: The Making of a Pan-African North America by Wendell Nii Laryea Adjetey and/or James by Percival Everett as well as their relevancy to Black History Month. Through these books, the club hopes to spark further meaningful conversations around diversity, inclusion, and social change. Read along and share your thoughts on these impactful works of literature!
Thursday, February 27, 2:00-5:00 PM ET
Education Building, Room 434
This event is about wellness through community with a special focus on Black self-care. Hosted by Black Students Breathe (Department of Integrated Studies in Education), Faculty of Education.
McGill University is on land which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst Indigenous peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg nations. We acknowledge and thank the diverse Indigenous peoples whose presence marks this territory on which peoples of the world now gather.
For more information about traditional territory and tips on how to make a land acknowledgement, visit our Land Acknowledgement webpage.