Events celebrating diversity and inclusion take place throughout the year.
Black History Month — February
Black History Month is about honouring the enormous contributions that Black people have made, and continue to make, in all sectors of Canadian society. It is about celebrating resilience, innovation, and determination to work towards a more inclusive and equitable country called Canada.
2025 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Scavenger Hunt at the R.P. Bell Library
Feb. 1–28
Over the month of February, the Library will be hosting a self-led scavenger hunt exploring the digital and physical library space. The theme will be “Afrofuturism in the Stacks” and highlight Black excellence reimagining the future. Grab an activity sheet from Access Services, complete the questions, and return it to receive a ballot for a chance to win a prize!
Hidden Blackness: Edward Mitchell Bannister (1828-1901)
On view until April 6
Owens Art Gallery Main-floor
Hidden Blackness is the first major exhibition of Edward Mitchell Bannister’s work ever presented in Canada—124 years after the artist’s death. Born in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, Bannister was a self-taught, nineteenth-century, African American/Canadian painter of the Barbizon school known for pastoral landscapes and seascapes. Learn more.
BHM Trip to Halifax
Saturday, Feb. 1
Organized by Student Life Office for students that are part of the Black student community.
Pan-African Flag Raising
Monday, Feb. 3
12 p.m. | Next to the Owens Art Gallery
Celebrations for the month will kick off on Monday, Feb. 3 with the Pan-African Flag Raising next to the Owens Art Gallery at 12 p.m. Student, faculty, and staff are encouraged to join the celebration and commemorate the beginning of Black History Month.
Empowered Voices | BIPOC Entrepreneurs Shaping the Future
Wednesday, Feb. 5
6–8 p.m. | Crabtree M10
Join local BIPOC entrepreneurs for a discussion panel as they share their journeys of resilience and innovation. Gain valuable insights on navigating today’s business landscape and building a thriving business in Canada.
Rep Your Flag: BHM Kick-Off Event
Wednesday, Feb. 5
8–11 p.m. | Gracie’s
Kick off Black History Month with a fun celebration at Gracie’s! Enjoy African and Caribbean cuisine and music. Don’t forget to rep your flag as we come together to honour and celebrate this meaningful month. This event is reserved for students that are part of the Black student community.
BHM Movie Night
Friday, Feb. 7
7–9:30 p.m. | Dunn 113
More details will be shared soon on Instagram via the African Students Association.
BHM Meal at Jennings
Thursdays in February
Join us for a special meal honouring and celebrating Black History Month, brought to you by Residence Life and Dining Services.
Valentine Candy Grams
February 9-13
WMSC First Floor
Spread some love this Valentine’s Day! Purchase candy grams organized by the African Students Association.
2025 Davidson Lecture in Canadian Studies – An Afropolitan Intervention w/ Dr. Ede
4–6 p.m. | Thursday, Feb. 13
Windsor Grand Room
Dr. Amatoritsero Ede teaches in the English department at Mount Allison. His research focuses on the relatively new African Studies hot-button sub-discipline, Afropolitanism. He has published richly in this field, with a recent book chapter appearing in the 2024 Routledge Handbook of Black Canadian Literature. He is also a poet and publisher of the maple tree literary supplement.
Glow in the Dark Pep Rally
Sunday, Feb. 16
12–2 p.m. | McCormack Gym
Join the Mount Allison Black Student-Athletics’ Union for a Glow in the Dark Pep Rally before the Women’s Basketball Senior Game! Celebrate school spirit, showcase student-athletes, and unite the Mountie family. This year, all funds raised will support bursaries for Black student-athletes, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at Mount Allison.
Documentary Screening
Wednesday, Feb. 26
3–4:15 p.m. | Dunn 113
In celebration of Black History Month, the Dunn EDI Committee invites you to a screening of Journeys of Black Mathematicians: Forging Resilience.
Heritage & Hustle BIPOC Business Fair
Friday, Feb. 28
12–4p.m. |Tweedie Hall
Black Excellence Gala
Friday, Feb. 28
8–10 p.m. | Windsor Grand Room
For full details of events, follow on Instagram:
- Black History Month at MtA – @bhmatmta2025
- MtA’s Black Students’ Union – @mtabsu
- African Students Association – @mta_asa
- Caribbean Students’ Association – @mta.csa
- Black Student-Athletes' Union – @mta_bsau
- The Foundry MtA – @thefoundrymta
Resources on Black History in Canada
Mount Allison Anti-Racism PolicyMount Allison's Anti-Racism Policy covers students, staff, and faculty and lays out a process for responding to complaints and reports of racism on campus. To make a complaint, to reach out for help, or to seek guidance under the policy, contact the Anti-Racism Education and Response Team (ARERT) at antiracism@mta.ca. The ARERT is comprised of 7 members (4 staff, 2 students, 1 faculty) and is tasked with responding to complaints of racism, and facilitating anti-racism awareness and education on campus. |
Take action every day
The following resources help provide education around racism, unconscious bias, microaggressions, and more, and suggest ways you can support the ongoing work of eliminating all forms of racism and racial discrimination.
Anti-racism resources
Unconscious bias
Ted Talk: Am I Biased?
Implicit Bias | Concepts Unwrapped
Gender and Leadership Implicit Association Test
Unconscious Bias Training by the Government of Canada
Microaggressions
Microaggressions in the classroom
Indigenous Canadian University Students’ Experiences of Microaggressions
Tool: Recognizing Microaggressions and the Messages They Send (pdf) (Adapted from Sue, Derald Wing, Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race, Gender and Sexual Orientation, Wiley & Sons, 2010)
When and How to Respond to Microaggressions (Harvard Business Review, 2020)
Responding Effectively to Microaggressions: A Research-Based Workshop (pdf) Christy M. Byrd, PhD University of California, Santa Cruz
Additional resources
UN "Let's Fight Racism" — real life stories, how to fight racism, educational resources
Stand Up 4 Human Rights (#FightRacism) — information about hate speech, how to take action, more resources
UN International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) — decade-long campaign to recognize, promote, and protect the right to equality and non-discrimination
Fight Against Racism & Discrimination (UNESCO) — Toolkit for Canadian municipalities
Public Health Resources for Anti-Racism Action — (National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health)