It’s impossible to contain the breadth and depth of Black history within a month. The achievement, innovation and impact Black culture has had on the world span thousands of years and reaches around the globe. Black history isn’t only defined by past atrocities. It’s better described as a tapestry woven from many stories with threads coloured by excellence and joy. Black history is human history. The OCSB would like to take this time to shine a light on that.
Theme for Black History Month at the OCSB
For the 2022 Black History Month, we will celebrate #ocsbBlackExcellence (February 1-13) and #ocsbBlackJoy (February 14-28) as part of our guiding theme. Our goal is to share positive, nurturing and uplifting Black imagery all month long, and we invite you to do the same!
#ocsbBlackHistoryMonth highlights
The OCSB community will be buzzing all month as we honour and celebrate Black Excellence and Black Joy! Here is a quick overview of some of the board-wide events and initiatives throughout February.
Virtual Events & Presentations
Black Canadian History Discussion Panel (Elementary)
February 2, 2022, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm
Join us for a one-hour event, where our guest panellists will discuss the importance of teaching Black Canadian History all year long, not solely during February, and how this impacts Black students. This event is intended for OCSB elementary educators, but parents are welcome to attend.
Black Canadian History Discussion Panel (Secondary)
February 10, 2022, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm
Join us for a one-hour event, where our guest panellists will discuss the importance of teaching Black Canadian History all year long, not solely during February, and how this impacts Black students. This event is intended for OCSB elementary educators, but parents are welcome to attend.
Activating Student Success Through Parent Engagement
February 26, 2022, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Join the Ottawa Catholic School Board and the OCSB Black Educator Network for a virtual session for parents of Black students. Learn more about resources and programs available within the OCSB, discuss strategies and tools for student-centred school engagement and connect with OCSB Black educators.
OCSB Black Excellence Video Contest
We are proud to announce the #ocsbBlackExcellence Video Contest – an opportunity to see and hear how Black excellence is celebrated in our school board, directly from our students! Join us online on February 24, 2022, at 7:30 pm, when we announce the contest winners from the OCSB YouTube Channel.
Black Excellence Series
OCSB schools will be invited to participate in several live stream presentations throughout the month. These events are for students and will take place during the school day. Guest speakers include:
- Gelila Geremew (St. Pius X Graduate), Youth Ambassador with Jaku Konbit – Presenting to Grades 7 to 12 on Black Excellence leadership and entrepreneurship, February 10, 2022
- Kathryn Patricia, Loop Pedal Violist and artist from M.A.S.C.– Interactive musical performance for Kindergarten to Grade 3 on February 16, 2022
- Benjamin Shimwa, Grade 11 student at St. Paul High School and Youth Ambassador with Jaku Konbit – Presenting to Grades 4 to 6 on career choices and entrepreneurship, February 17, 2022
- Yolanda T. Marshall, Author – Live reading of one of her books for students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 on February 17, 2022, and for students in Grades 4 to 6 on February 18, 2022
Join the conversation on social media
Show us how you’re engaging in Black History Month in your classroom, at your school, or at home as a family throughout February using the hashtags #ocsbBlackHistoryMonth, #ocsbBlackExcellence and #ocsbBlackJoy.