In 1915, Carter G. Woodson, an African-American historian and Harvard graduate, founded the Association For The Study of Negro Life and History, which brought a special positive perspective to the study of Black history. On February 12, 1926, Woodson initiated the second week of February as Black History Week. In 1960, Black History Week was extended to Black History Month to accommodate the many African heritage activities.

In his essay, “70 Years of Black History Month”, Peter K.B. St. Jean wrote, “Although the celebration of Black History Month is mainly about issues relating to people of African heritage, it is certainly of benefit to people of all ethnic groups. All are invited to share the experience with us.”

The Canadian Heritage website states:

“During Black History Month, we honour and amplify the voices of Black Canadians while celebrating their many achievements and contributions. The efforts of Black Canadians and their communities throughout history have greatly enriched Canada’s cultural diversity, compassion and prosperity.”

In 1978, Dr. Daniel G. Hill and Wilson O. Brooks founded the Ontario Black History Society. They presented a petition to the City of Toronto to have February formally proclaimed as Black History Month. In 1979, the first-ever Canadian proclamation was issued by Toronto.

In 1993, the Ontario Black History Society filed a petition in Ontario to proclaim February as Black History Month. Later, Rosemary Sadlier, president of the OBHS, introduced the idea of having Black History Month recognized across Canada to the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, and in December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by Dr. Augustine. The House of Commons carried the motion unanimously.

Black History Month is now celebrated across Canada with numerous activities. Participation includes corporations, schools, universities, libraries, community organizations and churches.

The written word is significant because for many years Blacks did not write their stories. Much of their history is lost because they relied on oral tradition. But they no longer write Slave Narratives; they write in most genres, including uplifting memoirs and autobiographies, sci-fi, fantasy, and detective stories.

The Harlem Renaissance, a period from 1919 to the 1940s, was a watershed moment when black literature and art exploded. Encyclopedia Britannica describes The Harlem Renaissance this way:

A blossoming of African American culture, particularly in the creative arts, and the most influential movement in African American literary history. Embracing literary, musical, theatrical, and visual arts, participants sought to reconceptualize “the Negro” apart from white stereotypes that had influenced black people’s relationship to their heritage and each other. They also sought to break free of Victorian moral values and bourgeois shame about aspects of their lives that might, as seen by whites, reinforce racist beliefs.

Alain Locke, a black intellectual during that era, introduced some poets to white patrons. Patronage helped them focus on their craft without worrying about paying bills; however, it had a downside. Langston Hughes, a leading writer in the movement, eventually cast off his patron when she insisted that he write blacks as “primitive.”

The black intellectuals tried to direct writers how to write. At that time, W. E. B. Du Bois was editor-in-chief of the NAACP. He criticized any book that did not portray African Americans positively. However; writing, art, and theatre are developed from individual creativity, and no person can or should control what a writer can write. The educated African American writers wrote successfully in several genres. During The Harlem Renaissance, Contee Cullen crafted his famous poem, “From the Dark Tower,” as a Petrarchan sonnet.

There is a proliferation of Black authors in Canada and the United States today. Many are New York Times best sellers and during the last decade (2014-2024), they include: Malcolm Gladwell—David and Goliath; Rachel Renee Russell—Dork Diaries Book 7-16; Lin-Manual Miranda and Jeremy McCarter—Hamilton the Revolution; Margot Lee Shetterly—Hidden Figures; Trevor Noah—Born a Crime; Colson Whitehead—The Underground Railroad.

Becoming a Best Seller is exceptional, but the ultimate recognition for literature is winning a prestigious award. Black writers have been winning literature awards for decades. Some winners include: Alice Walker—Pulitzer Prize, 1983; Abdulrazak Gurnah—Nobel Prize in Literature 2021; Toni Morrison—Pulitzer Prize 1988, American Book Award 1988 & Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993; N.K. Jemisin—Hugo Award for Best Novel 2016; James McBride—National Book Award 2013; Esi Edugyan—Giller Prize 2011; Colson Whitehead—National Book Award, 2017