News

Black History Month 2023

February 01, 2023

February is Black History Month. This year, across the university we celebrate Black history, culture and contributions to SFU—find a guide to activities at SFU and in the local community below.

Be sure to check this page throughout the month as we add new events and additional updates.

Attend an event

BHM Opening Ceremony

February 1 | SFU Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA)

Join SFU SOCA as they launch Black History Month. With performances, prizes and Black businesses in attendance, it’s the perfect way to start off the month long celebration.

BC CDC Grand Rounds Special Presentation

February 10 | SFU Faculty of Health Science and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)

Learn about the community-collaborative approach undertaken to collect, analyse, and share data regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of African, Caribbean, and Black people across Canada.

BHM Games and Movie Night

February 10 | SFU Students of Carribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA)

Have fun and celebrate Black History with SOCA at 6pm in their room in the SUB. The BHM themed games night will feature Black Trivia questions, as well as a showing of the movie Judas and the Black Messiah.

African Ancestry Project: Youth Dialogue Series

February 11 | BC Black History Awareness Society and SFU Centre for Dialogue

Young people between the ages 15 and 19 are invited to discuss Worlds Within, a report of the African Ancestry Project showcasing the diversity of Black people and communities through stories shared by project participants. An additional dialogue for the general public will be held on May 6, 2023.

Black Art: A Mode of Expression Disrupting Systemic Structures

February 15 | SFU Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA)

In this Black History Month panel, PhD student Edward Sembatya, life coach and consultant Palesa Koitsioe, author Professor David Chariandry and artist and curator Nya Lewis Williams discuss the theme of Black Art and the idea of decolonizing the concept of art .

Women's Centre x OOC Black Resistance Movie Night

February 15 | SFU Women's Centre and Out On Campus

Celebrate Black filmmaking in the GSS Lounge with a screening of Aisha (2022), followed by a Q&A.

Black History Month Storytelling Event

February 15 | SFU Faculty of Health Sciences, Provincial Health Services Authority and the BC Centre for Disease Control

Join us for a virtual storybook reading of Viola Desmond Won’t be Budged!, a finalist for the 2011 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s non-fiction.

Ethọ́s Lab Innovation Summit & Blackathon

February 16 | Centre for Digital Media and Ethọ́s Lab

This summit includes a curated public event showcasing Black Innovation and creation and a youth-centred Hack-A-Thon, renamed Blackathon (Black-A-Thon).

SFU Women's Basketball Black History Night

February 16 | SFU Athletics, SFU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and SFU SOCA

Cheer on the SFU Red Leafs while celebrating and honouring Black students at the women's basketball game, featuring Black entertainers, dancers, speakers and Jamaican food.

SFU SOCA Cultural Night

February 24 | SFU Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA)

SFU SOCA hosts an evening of great Afro-Caribbean culture - rhythmic tunes, dance, food and more. Wear your African or Caribbean best and come explore, learn and have fun!

Young, Gifted & Black; Comedy + Music Night ft. TUNJI!

February 25 | SFU Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA)

This special event is dedicated to showcasing the unique perspectives and talents of Black creatives in the comedy world. Join SOCA for an evening of entertainment and cultural appreciation in celebrating the contributions of Black individuals to the arts and beyond. The lineup of talented and hilarious artists is guaranteed to have you in stitches while also giving you a fresh perspective on life and the world around us.

African Ancestry Project: Highlighting the diversity of Black people in BC and implications on health research

February 27 | SFU Faculty of Health Sciences and the BC Centre for Disease Control

Alice Murage, health researcher and Faculty of Health Sciences PhD candidate, will present her findings from her report for the African Ancestry Project, “Worlds Within: Diverse Histories and Experiences of Black People of African Ancestry in British Columbia.”