BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2026 : Together, Let's Raise Our Voices

 

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Here in Montreal, Black History Month has always been more than a date on the calendar. It is a living, breathing space for memory, creation, resistance, and joy—one that grows richer each year through the voices of those who shape it. In 2026, that space opens wider than ever before. As the city gathers to mark the 35th edition of Black History Month, the celebrations take on a resonance that is both historic and forward-looking, grounded in remembrance yet boldly oriented toward the future. This year is not simply another chapter; it is a moment of collective affirmation.

schedule of activities

The 2026 edition unfolds at a remarkable crossroads. It marks the 35th anniversary of the Round Table on Black History Month, a century since Black History Month first emerged as a movement of recognition and education, and the 15th anniversary of the official logo that has come to symbolize this shared commitment. These milestones converge to remind us why Black History Month continues to matter. At a time when struggles for equity persist and narratives are increasingly fragmented, Black History Month stands as a vital force—one that insists on truth, honors complexity, and calls communities together long after February has passed.

The theme chosen for this anniversary year, Together, let’s raise our voices, captures the spirit of the moment with clarity and urgency. It is both an invitation and a declaration. To raise one’s voice is to claim space, to speak memory into the present, to transform silence into resonance. To do so together is to recognize that Black histories are not isolated stories but collective ones—woven into the social, cultural, political, and artistic fabric of Quebec. In 2026, raising our voices means amplifying plural identities, bridging generations, and shaping a future rooted in solidarity rather than erasure.

This vision is powerfully embodied in the official poster designed by artist Williamson Dulcé. In a vibrant and abstract composition, silhouettes gather around a central fire, evoking warmth, transmission, and shared humanity. The fire becomes a symbol of continuity—of stories told and retold, of resistance that illuminates rather than consumes. From this circle, voices rise and travel outward in every direction, suggesting both local grounding and global reach. The artwork pays homage to the historical and cultural richness of Black communities while encouraging reflection on their enduring impact. It is an image that does not ask for permission to be seen or heard; it insists.

Spokesperson Tamara Angeline Medford-Williams

The spokespeople for Black History Month 2026 further embody this insistence on agency, dialogue, and pride. On the Francophone side, artist, activist, and radio host Hubert-Mary Cherenfant, widely known as Dice B., brings a powerful conviction to the role. His work and voice are rooted in the belief that Afro-descendant people must be the authors of their own histories—free to affirm their multiplicity and celebrate the depth of a shared heritage without compromise. In the Anglophone community, Tamara Angeline Medford-Williams serves as a unifying presence. As a leader in community initiatives, education, and advocacy, she is deeply committed to highlighting the stories of Black, African, and Caribbean communities while fostering understanding, collective pride, and meaningful connection across differences.

Central to the Month’s programming is a renewed spotlight on individuals whose lives and work have shaped Quebec society in lasting ways. Through its annual free calendar, the Round Table honors twelve laureates whose paths reflect the diversity and brilliance of Black contributions across education, culture, public service, health, entrepreneurship, and the arts. Photographed by Montreal artist Qauffee, these portraits capture more than likeness—they reflect legacy.

Spokesperson Dice B

The 2026 laureates include educators such as Alix Adrien, journalists and filmmakers like Nadine Alcindor, and historians such as Fred Anderson, whose role in the Sir George Williams affair remains a crucial chapter in Montreal’s social history. They also include contemporary changemakers: Will Baptiste’s advocacy for mental health and healthy masculinity; Latoya Belfon’s leadership in publishing and education; Dieudonné Ella Oyono’s influence in economic development and political life; Oluwanifemi Fagbohun’s innovation in ethical entrepreneurship; and Biba Tinga’s tireless work in advancing awareness and care for people living with sickle cell disease. Artists, musicians, youth leaders, and cultural organizers—Ali NDiaye (Webster), Constantine Greenaway, Christelle Onomo Lopes, and Cynthia Waithe among them—complete a constellation of voices that reflect both depth and breadth. Together, they tell a story of commitment, courage, and creativity.

Music, movement, and visual art play a central role in this year’s celebrations, offering spaces where emotion and history meet. From late January through February, Montreal’s major cultural venues resonate with performances that bridge eras and genres. Classical concerts at Salle Pierre-Mercure and Salle Bourgie highlight composers of African descent and contemporary creators, placing them firmly within the canon while challenging its boundaries. These evenings are not only performances but acts of recognition—moments where Black excellence in classical music is heard, felt, and celebrated.

Beyond concert halls, Black History Month 2026 embraces the joy of gathering and the importance of well-being. BLK WinterFest invites participants to experience winter differently, reclaiming outdoor spaces through shared adventure and care. Community initiatives such as the annual blood drive in partnership with Héma-Québec underscore the tangible, life-saving contributions Black communities continue to make, particularly in addressing health realities like sickle cell disease.

Africa’s presence is also deeply felt throughout the Month. Exhibitions such as The Body in Ritual challenge conventional perspectives by reimagining masks not as static artifacts but as living extensions of the body. The long-awaited return of Les Ballets Africains to Montreal—nearly six decades after their last visit—stands as a historic cultural moment, reconnecting audiences with rhythms, movements, and traditions that have shaped global performance.

Importantly, Black History Month 2026 reaches far beyond Montreal. Events across Quebec—from the Côte-Nord to Mauricie, from Trois-Rivières to Rouyn-Noranda—affirm that Black history is not confined to one city or one narrative. It is a shared inheritance, present in every region and enriched by local voices.

As Black History Month 2026 begins, Montreal is invited not only to attend but to listen, reflect, and speak. Together, let’s raise our voices is a call to remember that history lives through participation. By honoring the past, celebrating the present, and imagining the future side by side, this anniversary edition reaffirms a simple yet powerful truth: when voices rise together, they shape a more just, vibrant, and united society for all.

LENA GHIO   

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