February is Black History Month

Every year in February we celebrate Black History Month (BHM). The month was created to provide an opportunity to share, learn, and honour the legacy of Black Canadians and their communities, but also to recognize that work remains to be done to fully integrate Black culture, history, and achievements into the Canadian fabric.

The Black Cultural Society of Prince Edward Island’s theme for Black History Month 2023 (BHM 2023) is “Sanfoka: Honouring our Past, Igniting our Future.” The word Sankofa is a word in the Twi of Ghana meaning “to retrieve.” Sankofa centers around the following: to know history and your heritage is to know your current self, the world around you, and how to better both. The term highlights the importance of education and understanding our histories.

The Black Cultural Society of Prince Edward Island has a spectacular lineup of events to celebrate BHM 2023! Be sure to check out their website and get involved this Black History Month.  

Members of the UPEI community are welcome to join the UPEI Student Union and Black Cultural Society in the raising of the Pan-African flag in front of Kelley Memorial Building on Wednesday, February 1 at 12:30 pm. Faculty and staff are also invited to Let's Talk About Race, on February 10, from 1:00–3:00 pm, in Dalton Hall 515, a collaboration between the Mawi’omi Indigenous Student Centre and the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Office.

In line with the education theme for BHM 2023, the UPEI Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Office has prepared Cultural Awareness and Anti-Racism resources and many other educational resources, which are available on the EDI myUPEI page.