“The original intention of Black History Month was for Black people to come together during February to share what they discussed throughout the whole year. The poster I create stays up in a lot of places the whole year because it doesn’t say Black History Month, so it doesn’t have a date stamp on it.”

Freed slaves, the Davenport brothers, built the Hillsdale Hotel (also known as Alma House, O’Neil Tavern, O’Neil House and Simcoe House) in the Springwater Township of Simcoe County, Ont., in 1882. The building currently stands to be demolished after its owners requested a demolition permit in 2009 but agreed to delay demolition.

Rosemary Sadlier ponders the significance of celebrating our accomplishments throughout the year.

CBC radio freelance producer/author Hassan Ghedi Santur speaks candidly about becoming a writer, his favourite books, and the need to further promote the heritage and contributions of Black Canadians beyond just during Black History Month.

You’ve heard about Harry Jerome, Elijah McCoy and Portia White — or at least you should have — for days on end, but what does Black History Month really mean? Should the month be judged simply by the number of black history references found in popular media or is it bigger than that?

When Jean Emile Jean-Gilles was hand-picked to be a part of the product development team at Ford three years ago, he never thought his team would be nominated for a Henry Ford Technology Award. It never crossed his mind that if he won he would make history as the first Canadian recipient of the automotive company’s highest technical commendation.

What they have not taken is my willingness to see what I have learned, observed and loved while in Canada, now reflected in a new Kenya that I want to be a part of. Finally, Kenya is calling me. My crystal ball tells me the time is right for me. My son did not die for me not to try to change Kenya one more time!

The Black Law Students Association of Canada convention is marking its 20th year with a convention here in Toronto. According to their manifesto, BLSAC recognizes the essential role that we will play as lawyers in furthering the aspirations of our community and Canadian society as a whole. Says Keri Wallace, a third year law student at the University of Western Ontario, and the current President of the Canadian Black Law Students Association, “There are still systemic barriers to access to both a legal education and career. Our goal is to help and support current and prospective black law students.”

Michael Ignatieff speaks with Sway about the significance of Black History Month and African Canadian he truly admires.

Henry Walton Bibb lived the horrors of slavery in Kentucky; he was sold six times, treated inhumanely and saw his mother and siblings sold. But he persevered to become a community leader, newspaper publisher and activist in the Windsor, Ont. area, publishing Canada’s first black newspaper.