BLACK HISTORY OTTAWA 

Showcasing the achievements of Black people in all aspects of the Canadian mosaic

Black History Ottawa (BHO) is a non-profit community based organization that works towards the empowerment and unity of the National Capital Region’s Black community. It is the central organizer and the driving force behind Black History Month (BHM) in Ottawa.

From its inception, BHO has forged valuable partnerships with many community organizations and public institutions including: The National Library of Canada; Ottawa Public Library, Canadian Museum of Nature, City of Ottawa and Canadian Heritage to successfully promote BHM celebrations in the National Capital Region.

Prior to 1985, the Barbados (Ottawa) Association highlighted the achievements of peoples of African descent in a week-long celebration. Later, 10 Black associations in the Ottawa area came together to create a committee called the Black History Month Committee. The Black History Month Committee was inaugurated in 1986 and later renamed Black History Ottawa. Since then, Black History Ottawa has been coordinating and presenting activities celebrating Black History Month in the Nation’s Capital.

These activities honour the numerous achievements and contributions of people of African-descent in fields such as: Science; Medicine; Literature; the Arts, Sports etc. They also serve to acknowledge the roles Blacks have played in the growth and development of the Canadian society and culture. Thus, Black History Ottawa will continue to promote our most prized possession: our Heritage.

The main objectives of the organization are:
- to showcase the achievements of Black people in all aspects of the Canadian mosaic, including civic participation, the arts, physical and social sciences, technology and health;
- to recognize and pay tribute to the contributions of Black Canadians to the settlement, growth and development of Canada;
- to help improve awareness of fellow citizens about the contributions that persons of African ancestry have made/are making to Canada's development;
- to develop a better understanding of “the Black experience” in Canada and the diversity of the Black community;
- to encourage our youth to value their legacy and to aspire to be leaders, pioneers and innovators;
- to contribute to the welfare and well-being of Black people as part of the larger Canadian community;
- to promote Black History Month and all events and activities put on by various- organizations to celebrate BHM;
- to develop resource materials for schools and public institutions that require assistance in the delivery of their BHM programming.

For more information about Black History Ottawa or Black History Month activities in Ottawa, contact bhottawa@yahoo.ca
(613) 851-5257