Photographs of Some Black History Month Events in the Greater Toronto Area

By Neil Armstrong

February -- Black History Month 2019 -- is coming to a close so I've selected some of the events I attended and captured in photos on my phone to share with you.

As usual, there were many events. These are only a few.

The Journey to Black Liberation Symposium, the Reflections of Love exhibition and the Black Liberation Ball were all part of Kuumba, Toronto's longest-running celebration of Black History Month at the Harbourfront Centre, Feb. 1&2. The symposium and ball were co-curated by Brandon Hay (Black Daddies Club/Toronto), Twysted Miyake Mugler (Toronto) and Michael Robertson Maasai Maison-Margiela (NYC).

The symposium was a series of conversations and workshops between various Black communities around the world with panels on race, politics, identity, love and belonging. The "What is Blackness? A conversation around race, politics and gender in the Black community" panel included: Sam Tecle, Nik Redman, Sarah Jama, Da'Shaun Harrison, Carvela Lee and the moderator was Yusra Khogali. The panelists for "What Are Black Fathers Teaching Their Sons About Love" were: Roger Dundas, David Miller, Troy Crossfield and Ed Gough Jr. with Andray Domise as the moderator.

The Black Liberation Ball was held at Longboat Hall and featured the legendary Renaldo Maurice Tisci, DJ Blackcat, Karim Olen Ash and more.

Journey to Black Liberation Symposium in the Studio Theatre, Harboufront Centre. Panelists left to right in the "Black People Being Honest: A Conversation About Monogamy, Polyamory and Black Love" discussion: Mark-Ché Devonish, Staxxxfacts, Kevin Patterson, Alicia Bunyan-Sampson, Tenika Bennett and Brandon Hay, moderator

A Different Booklist held the Black and Caribbean Book Affair at A Different Booklist Cultural Centre, Feb. 7-9.

Black and Caribbean Book Affair, from left to right are: Itah Sadu, Tea Mutonji, Simone Dalton and Clifton Joseph

Ndija Anderson-Yantha presenting her book, What Are You Gonna Do with that Hair?

Mayor John Tory's and Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson's Black History Month Reception was held at Toronto City Hall Member's Lounge on Feb. 8.

Khadijah Lopez, a graduate of the Remix Project, sings the anthems

Randell Adjei, author, inspiration speaker, arts educator and community leader performs his poetry

Jamaican Canadian Association's Boonoonoonos Brunch celebrating Miss Lou's 100, Feb. 10

Poets, Nadine Williams and Jermaine Cowie, performed at the Boonoonoonos Brunch at the Jamaican Canadian Centre

Elite Dance Troupe performs at the event to celebrate Miss Lou's 100th birthday

Marcia Brown, emcee, conducts a quiz with some of the guests

Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, Jamaica's Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport speaks at the event

The "Black Leadership, Partisan Politics & Social Activism" presented by the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora, was held at York University Feb. 8&9.

The Black Leadership & Partisan Politics panelists, left to right: Tiffany Gooch, Wendy Vincent, Adaoma Patterson and Yafet Tewelde. Moderaor, Yolande Davidson, is standing behind them

 The Peel United Cultural Partners' 18th annual Black History Month Concert was held at Century Gardens Recreation Centre in Brampton on Feb. 16. This is a collaboration of United Achievers' Club and the Congress of Black Women of Canada (Brampton Chapter).

Liberty Silver performs at the 18th annual Black History Month concert organized by Peel United Cultural Partners

Wakanda Is Now, a group from Durham, performs at the concert

Natasha Henry, president of the Ontario Black History Society, was the guest speaker

Some of the patrons at the Peel United Cultural Partner's 18th annual Black History Month concert

The media launch of the 37th annual BBPA Harry Jerome Awards was held on Feb. 19 in the Rogers Velma Theatre in Toronto.

Nadine Williams opens the media launch with her poem "We Belong"

CHFI's Darren Osborne and Cityline's Tracy Moore host the Harry Jerome Awards media launch and screening of the documentary, "Cool Black North"

Nadine Spencer, president of the Black Business and Professional Association

Mayor John Tory addressing the media launch

Members of the BBPA board of directors and recipients of the 37th annual Harry Jerome Awards. The awards ceremony will be held on APRIL 27 at The International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, Ontario.

Alison Duke, director of the documentary "Cool Black North"

Denise Jones, Exco Levi -- recipient of the Harry Jerome Award for entertainment, and Trevor Massey