Black History Month

Every February, we recognize Black History Month, an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the contributions of African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) Canadians to the history and culture of our nation. The 2026 national theme↗ is “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.”

This theme celebrates three decades of Black History Month in Canada and recognizes the enduring legacy of Black Canadians, whose leadership, creativity, innovation and resilience have shaped our past, continue to influence our present, and will inspire future generations.

While celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians, we must also continue the work needed to advance health equity and inclusion in our community. At Ottawa Public Health (OPH), we recognize that health is shaped not only by biology and behaviour but also by social determinants such as income, housing, education, and systemic racism. These determinants can contribute to health disparities experienced by Black communities in Ottawa and across Canada, including higher rates of chronic disease, mental health challenges, and barriers to accessing culturally safe care.

OPH works in partnership with communities to address these inequities, promote culturally appropriate services, and advocate for policies that create fair opportunities for health for all.

Over the next month, there are many opportunities to learn about and celebrate the contributions of African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) Canadians to the history and culture of our nation. We encourage you to check out Black History Ottawa’s event calendar↗ for a list of events happening in the city. throughout February.