Dr. Shetina Jones speaks on campus during the raising of the Pan-African flag (FILE/University of Windsor)
Black History Month in Canada reaches a milestone in 2026, marking three decades of official recognition.
Looking back on generations past as well as into the future, the Canadian government has declared this year’s theme to be “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations – From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.”
At the University of Windsor and in the Windsor-Essex community, events throughout February are planned to celebrate Black histories and futures.
On Friday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m., the Black History Month Kick-Off takes place at the Caribbean Centre (2410 Central Ave., Windsor). Co-hosted by the Essex County Black Historical Research Society, Amherstburg Freedom Museum and Windsor Essex Caribbean Association, this free event features Black history highlights, performances and the release of the full 2026 Windsor-Essex Black History Month schedule.
The Pan-African flag-raising ceremony will occur on the main UWindsor campus Monday, Feb. 2 at noon with remarks from Dr. Clinton Beckford , vice-president, people, equity and inclusion, Dr. Cheryl Collier, interim provost and vice-president, academic, and Dr. Shetina Jones, associate vice-president, student experience. A gathering will follow with refreshments served in the Black Scholars Institute (BSI) lounge (lower level of the CAW Student Centre), sponsored by the BSI, Assumption University, the CUBE, and Family Fuse.
Tuesday, Feb. 3, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the UWindsor Department of History will host a lecture on Black settlement and community formation in late 19th-century Windsor-Essex. Featuring alumni Max Bennett and Karleigh Kochaniec, this free event takes place at the School of Creative Arts – Armouries (353 Freedom Way, Windsor).
The second annual Beauty is Me fundraising luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts (201 Riverside Dr. W., Windsor). Featuring keynote speaker and UWindsor alumnus Jeremiah Bowers, the event supports the non-profit Beauty is Me, co-founded by alumna Joan Simpson. Beauty is Me aims to support and uplift Black and biracial children and youth with a focus on empowering Black girls to celebrate their natural hair.
Later in the month, students can attend the Black History Month fashion show, Friday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m. in Winclare Hall. This free event, hosted by Black Leadership and Excellence (BLX), will feature food, fashion, music, vendors and more.
Friday, Feb. 27 also sees the launch of Mango to Maple, a project to create an archive focused on Windsor-Essex's Caribbean diasporic community. The launch will take place in Leddy Library’s collaboratory with doors at 6 p.m.
Campus community members are also encouraged to learn more about Black history in the region, including through the self-guided McDougall Street Corridor tour and by visiting the Amherstburg Freedom Museum.
Information about student events throughout the year is available on the UWSA AfroFest website.