African Heritage Month

February is Black History Month in Canada and African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia.

The 2026 provincial theme is Strength in Unity: Moving Forward with Purpose, Prosperity, Power, and Progress.

The Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia (BCCNS) refers to the theme as a “call to action.” Beyond providing an opportunity to formally acknowledge the many contributions that African Nova Scotians have made to our culture and history for more than 400 years, this month is also about the power that comes when African Nova Scotians and people of African descent stand together and unity as an active force for change. It is also about everyone standing alongside the African Nova Scotian and Black communities, in unity, to celebrate them.

Black History Month has been commemorated nationally for 30 years. This year’s theme is Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations—From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries. Marking this milestone, the launch of the national theme this year took place at an event hosted by the BCCNS. It’s a theme that invites Canadians to see the generations of Black brilliance that continues today and into the future. 

University of King's College

Acknowledging Strength in Unity for African Heritage Month—a call to action

 

Read a community message from President Bill Lahey and Karen Mutyabule, Director of Equity and Community Supports

 

Community message

University of King's College

African Nova Scotian and Pan-African flags

To honour African Heritage Month, King’s will fly the African Nova Scotian flag and Pan-African flag in the King’s Quad until Friday, February 27.

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Books on Black Atlantic Canada at King’s Library

Drop by the King’s Library to see a display featuring books on Black Atlantic Canada, discourses on slavery and the history, resilience and achievements of the Black community. Some of the authors will be familiar to the King’s community, among them Inglis Professor Sylvia D. Hamilton, poet George Elliott Clarke and others. Did you know you can access databases on Black Studies in Video, Black Drama and Black Thought and Culture through the library?

Come visit King’s Library to learn more.

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The essential reading list from King’s Co-op Bookstore

The renowned bookstore at King’s has a full list of great reads ready to go for Black History Month–all 111 of them.

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Events at Dalhousie University

Dal is hosting a month-long series of events to celebrate African Heritage Month beginning on February 4 at 12 p.m. in the Dalhousie Arts Centre Sculpture Court. Dalhousie’s theme this year is Creative Advocacy: Uplifting Black Health, Art, and Community Action.

Visit a new exhibition at the Dalhousie Art Gallery called It’s About Time: Dancing Black in Canada 1900–1970.

 

More information about Dalhousie Events

 

University of King's College

Events hosted by the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia

The BCC NS event calendar features province-wide events happening throughout February, including the 2026 African Heritage Month Gala Dinner on Feb. 28.

 

More information about BCCNS Events

University of King's College

Events hosted by Halifax Public Libraries

All across HRM, the public libraries are hosting events for the whole family. Everything range from documentary screenings, to cooking, to music, to readings, and they all free.

View events

Resources on the History of African Nova Scotia


 

Additional Resources