(Barrie, ON) – February is Black History Month and the City of Barrie is proud to support and share some of the community's events and initiatives that highlight the significant contributions Black Canadians have made and continue to make to the cultural landscape of our country. The City of Barrie encourages the community to celebrate Black History Month as an opportunity to embrace cultural diversity and foster a sense of belonging and inclusion.
Programming includes:
- February – Celebrating Black History Month with Blacks for All Races, an exhibition of Black artists’ works in the First Floor Gallery at City Hall, (70 Collier Street), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday, February 1 to Sunday, March 1 – The Cultural Tile Mosaic Project, a community exhibition of over 500 tiles at the MacLaren Art Centre (37 Mulcaster Street).
- Sunday, February 1 & Sunday, February 22 – Family Sunday programming at the MacLaren Art Centre (37 Mulcaster Street).
- Tuesday, February 3 at 11:30 a.m. - Flag Raising at the City Hall courtyard (70 Collier Street). Raising of the Pan-African Flag at City Hall and Proclamation of Black History Month in the City of Barrie.
- Saturday, February 14, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. – A Black History Month Tribute to Maestro Fresh Wes at the Five Points Theatre (1 Dunlop Street West). Featuring a conversation and performance by the Maestro himself.
- Wednesday, February 18 & 25 at 5:00 p.m. – UPlift Black POP-UP Drop-in at Barrie Public Library, Downtown Branch (60 Worsley Street).
- Friday, February 27 & Saturday, February 28 - Infinity Performing Arts Studio presents Lost Heroes of Oro.
- Saturday, February 28, 5:30 – 10:30 p.m. – Parents Against Racism’s third annual Black History Month gala at the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre (205 Lakeshore Drive).
The Barrie Public Library has teamed up with UPlift Black to host Black History 365, which provides resources, readings, interviews and presentations that allow users to learn about Black history. This collaboration is available for those who are interested all year long.
Visit barrie.ca/BlackHistoryMonth for the full listing of ongoing activities and special events.
