February is Black History Month and BGC Canada’s National Youth Council wants to challenge everyone to take steps towards learning more about what this month means for individuals, communities, and Canada.
Below, we have two different approaches to spark learning for #BlackHistoryMonth.
- A series of terms that you can research online, on your own or as a group activity
- Activities and topics inspired by our Anti-racism Initiative Microgrants (A.I.M.) that Clubs can use to participate in Black History Month
Don’t forget to read our National Youth Council Statement on Anti-Racism and BGC Canada’s Statement on Racism and Discrimination.
SEARCH TERMS
Step 1: Choose a term below
Step 2: Use your favourite search engine to search the term online
Step 3: Write down one thing you learned and share it with someone at your Club, a family member, a friend, or anyone else you think would be interested!
Step 4: If you are Club staff, post on social media using the animated graphic that matches the search term—let us know what your Club youth learned, use the hashtag #BlackHistoryMonth, and tag @BGCCAN!
- code-switching
- #BLM
- Viola Desmond
- equity vs equality
- Africville Nova Scotia
- food desert
- adultification bias
- medical racism
- Matt Galloway
- Jully Black
- womanism
- Leonard Braithwaite
- Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré
- Black joy
- Willie O’Ree
- Donovan Bailey
BLACK HISTORY MONTH ACTIVITIES
Our Anti-racism Initiative Microgrants (A.I.M.), generously sponsored by Hyundai Canada and Best Buy Canada, offered up to $2,000 to Club members between the ages of 13 – 24 to run a youth-led event, workshop, or other activity that promotes and educates about anti-racism.
Below are some activity ideas based on our first round of A.I.M. recipients!
- Black History Month video project: Interview different generations about their past, present experiences, and hope for for an equitable and inclusive society in the future
- Educational video about anti-racism: Create an educational video about the community and why anti-racism is so important, including education about Newcomers and People of Colour
- How to talk about racism: Research and run a webinar on anti-racism efforts in your community
- I Stand Against … workshop: Host BIPOC speakers in a workshop that aims to combat anti-Indigenous sentiments from the community, as well as provide education around allyship and actionable steps
- No Room for Racism day: Run an anti-racism day at the Club with conversations about anti-racism, food from various cultures, poster contests, and more
- Arts and Activism: Create an art show that raises awareness and encourages dialogue around diversity and expression
- Community project: Connect with local university or college to run a workshop on racism and inclusion
- We are not the Same virtual event: Host a virtual event to appreciate People of Colour and explore/dismiss stereotypes
- Anti-racism group chat: Organize a group to talk about racism against various marginalized groups
- Book club: Choose a book written by a BIPOC author and organize a meeting to discuss
