Black History Month Events
Check out the Black History Month events happening at King's, at Western, and around London.
Events at King's for Black History Month
Movie Night
February 5 at 6:30 pm. In the Kenny Theatre.
Movie: Boyz N the Hood.
Summary: Half-brothers Doughboy (Ice Cube) and Ricky Baker (Morris Chestnut) are foils for each other's personalities, presenting very different approaches to the tough lives they face. Ricky is the "All-American" athlete, looking to win a football scholarship to USC, and seeks salvation through sports, while Doughboy succumbs to the violence, alcohol, and crime surrounding him in his environment, but maintains a strong sense of pride and code of honor. Between these two is their friend Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), who is lucky to have a father, Furious Styles (Laurence Fishburne), to teach him to have the strength of character to do what is right and to always take responsibility for his actions.
In collaboration with the King’s BSA and the BSA at Western.
All-Black Career Panel
February 12 at 6 pm in the Vitali Student Lounge.
Join us for an inspiring panel discussion featuring an all-Black group of professionals from diverse fields. This event offers Black students the opportunity to connect with accomplished individuals, gain insights into their career journeys, and explore mentorship possibilities. Come and see yourself reflected in these roles, as we celebrate Black excellence and create pathways for growth and connection.
Steel Beats: Celebrating the History of the Steel Drums
February 25 at 4 pm in the Kenny Theatre.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant sounds of the Caribbean with Beechnut Steel and King’s alumnus Zaahy Ali , BA ‘23. Join us for an afternoon filled with the lively rhythms of the steel drums as Zaahy performs and shares the rich history and cultural significance of this iconic instrument in the Caribbean. In collaboration with the King’s BSA and KUCSC.
Events for Black History Month (outside of King's)
WESTERN UNIVERSITY
Visit Western's Black History Month page to learn more about these events and others.
Black Excellence with Cameron Bailey
Feb. 5, 1 to 2 p.m., McKellar Theatre, University Community Centre (UCC)
Join the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Western Alumni as we welcome Western alum Cameron Bailey for a talk during Black History Month 2025!
Cameron Bailey is the Chief Executive Officer of TIFF and the Toronto International Film Festival, the world's largest public film festival and one of Canada’s premier cultural brands.
Born in London, England, Bailey grew up in England and Barbados before migrating to Canada. He began his career as a film critic, then joined TIFF as a programmer selecting Canadian films, before moving on to African and South Asian cinema.
Redefining Black History: An Exhibition of Resilience and Enduring Legacies
Feb. 6, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Weldon Community Room, D.B. Weldon Library
This exhibition will showcase the resilience, strength, and unity of the Black community. Through archival photos and five compelling themes—Black Youth and the Next Generation, Black Education and Scholarship, Black Legacy, Black Creatives and Expressio,n and Black Joy and Community—this walk-in exhibit highlights the enduring contributions, stories, and legacies of Black individuals. This meaningful tribute honours the past, celebrates the present, and reaffirms the importance of Black resilience as we envision a vibrant and empowered future together.
Black Resistance Against the Status Quo: A Black History Month Celebration
Feb. 24, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thames Hall Atrium, Thames Hall
This event is hosted in collaboration with Western Law, the Robbins Ollivier Speaker Series Committee, Black Law Student's Association (BLSA), King's Black Student Association, and Black at Western Future Lawyers.
Often the word "resistance" evokes images of defiance, but in this context, we choose to frame it as a force for positive advocacy—a call for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across key sectors like education, health care, criminal justice, and child welfare.
This panel will bring together leaders with invaluable perspectives on systemic anti-Black racism and the lived experiences of Black communities, exploring the multifaceted dimensions of Black resistance, particularly how it manifests in advocating for justice, equitable access to care and education, and the protection of human dignity.
Being Black with a Purpose: Black Resistance and Leadership in Action with Sunday Ajak
Feb. 26, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Room 2235
Former USC President and King's alumni Sunday Ajak will explore themes of Black resistance, resilience, and Black community leadership, shedding light on the vital roles Black leaders play in fostering community, empowerment, and advancing equity behind the scenes. His talk will delve into the challenges of breaking the glass ceiling, sharing personal insights and experiences from his journey as a leader in the Black community.
This event offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the transformative power of Black leadership, resistance, and the often-underappreciated contributions of leaders who work tirelessly to uplift their communities.
Diasporic Delights and Black Community Panel
Feb. 27, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Thames Hall Atrium, Thames Hall
We welcome you to engage in a panel discussion featuring members of Western's Black community.
Celebrate Blackness, identity, and culture through meaningful dialogue followed by a tasting of West African, East African, and Caribbean diasporic cuisine and light refreshments. This event is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the richness of Black culture and diversity while honouring the contributions and experiences of the Black community at Western and beyond.
The Power of Representation in Hockey with Dean Barnes
Feb. 28, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Location: TBD
We are proud to collaborate with Western Sports & Recreation as we welcome the host of the “My Hockey Hero” podcast Dean Barnes to Western.
Audiences will learn about Dean's background, career journey, and the importance of Black History Month in celebrating the achievements of past and present Black hockey players. There will be an opportunity to see the hockey card collection of 100 Black and biracial players which was displayed in the NHL Black Hockey History Museum across North America.
Community and Beyond
4th National Black Canadians Summit
Jan 31 - Feb 2, Palais des Congres, Montreal.
Jennifer Slay, Director of the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization from King's will be facilitating a workshop, and Zakara Stampp, PhD candidate from Western University will be speaking.
Background: The Office of EDID sits on the Robbins-Ollivier Speaker Series Committee with Zakara Stampp, whose purpose is to help enrich the Black experience for students, faculty, and staff at Western and its affiliates.
More on the Summit:
With more than 100 different speakers, the 4th Summit features 26 sessions and 5 plenary meetings to explore more than 15 key sectors. For three days, we’ll be highlighting the contributions and excellence of Black people who are shaping Canada’s future. Don’t miss this opportunity – your voice counts. The Summit is more than just an event. It’s a platform for dialogue and exchange, where we celebrate successes and share winning strategies. It is the perfect opportunity to discover inspiring local and national projects, explore initiatives that work, and participate in enriching discussions. Together, we can build a more equitable and inclusive society. Hosted by the Michaëlle Jean Foundation.
