Black History Month: Opportunities to engage at CapU
As part of the Capilano Faculty Association (CFA) Change Education Series for Black History Month (BHM), we invite you to participate in a variety of activities and film events designed to engage, inspire and educate about the pre-slavery to modern-day contributions and influences of people of African descent in Canada, British Columbia and here on the North Shore.
This year’s theme is “Black Resistance”. In seeking equity and justice, past and present, Black Canadians have sought ways to nurture and protect Black lives through various forms of resistance in areas of industry, politics, science, culture and education.
Join us as we draw focus to the strength and resilience of the Black Canadian experience and celebrate the joyous messages of BHM with the rest of the campus community, Canada and the world. We look forward to seeing you at events in February and beyond!
Events happening throughout February
A taste of Africa
Check out the lunch menu at the Birch Building Cafeteria between 11–2 p.m.
- Friday, February 3
- Friday, February 10
- Friday, February 17
- Tuesday, February 28
*Except Friday, February 24 (Reading Break)
CapU Library
Visit the main campus library and view the display about Black History Month all through February. If you'd like to learn more, check out these Black History Month resources, including books, eBooks, YouTube videos, movies and more.
The hidden Black history in Vancouver and B.C.
Follow @capustudentlife on Instagram
Check out the student affairs Instagram feed every Thursday in the month of February for stories about the hidden history of Black Canadians in Vancouver and B.C.
Week 1—January 31 to February 3
Friday, February 3
African drumming workshop with Kofi Gbolonyo, PhD
1–2:20 p.m.
The BlueShore at CapU
As part of CapU's BHM activities, this workshop in the Jazz Studies program is open to visitors for in person participation.
JAZZ 376—Music of the African Diaspora with Kofi Gbolonyo, PhD
3–4:50 p.m.
Cedar Building, room CE148
Learn about the musical cultures of the African Diaspora, tracing intersecting and multi-directional movements of people, music and cultures between Africa, Europe and the Americas. As part of CapU's BHM activities, this class is open to visitors.
Black History Month in Film #1—The Woman King
6–9:30 p.m.
Theatre, Bosa Centre for Film & Animation
Runtime: 2 hours 15 minutes
In the late eighteenth century, the Kingdom of Dahomey flourished as one of Africa's most powerful states. But as European merchants encroach, seeking riches at the expense of its people, General Nanisca and the Agojie—an all-female unit of warriors—step up to protect their kingdom. Inspired by true events. Following the film, there will be a moderated closing dialogue.
Week 2—February 6–10
Monday, February 6
JAZZ 376—Music of the African Diaspora with Kofi Gbolonyo, PhD
8:30–10:20 a.m.
Cedar Building, room CE148
Learn about the musical cultures of the African Diaspora, tracing intersecting and multi-directional movements of people, music and cultures between Africa, Europe and the Americas. As part of CapU's BHM activities, this class is open to visitors.
HIST 333—History of Slavery and Anti-slavery with Derek Murray, PhD
1:30–2:50 p.m.
Library Building, room LB216
Join the class and watch the film, Black Hands: Trial of the Arsonist Slave. Following the film, there will be a discussion. This class can accommodate up to 25 visitors, as part of CapU's BHM activities.
Tuesday, February 7
A storytelling panel on Black resistance in Canada, B.C. and Vancouver
11:30–1 p.m.
Cedar Building, room CE148 or join on Zoom
Join keynote speaker and moderator Franklin Bouguep (Cameroon) and an African-heritage Elders panel, including Rosemary Pais (Rwanda), Florence Drent (Rwanda), Soya Brown (Nigeria) and Kimani wa Karangu (Kenya).
The panel will discuss the historic roots of Black resistance from pre-slavery unity to Black Lives Matter.
Thursday, February 9
Drumming session with visiting master drummer, Sylvanus Kuwor, PhD
11:30–1 p.m.
Fir Building, room FR113
Master drummer, Sylvanus Kuwor will be on campus to lecture and demonstrate Ghanaian traditional music. As part of CapU's BHM activities, this session is open to visitors to participate in person.
Friday, February 10
African drumming workshop with Kofi Gbolonyo, PhD
1–2:20 p.m.
Fir Building, room FR113
As part of CapU's BHM activities, this workshop in the Jazz Studies program is open to visitors for in person participation.
JAZZ 376—Music of the African Diaspora with Kofi Gbolonyo, PhD
3–4:50 p.m.
Cedar Building, room CE148
Learn about the musical cultures of the African Diaspora, tracing intersecting and multi-directional movements of people, music and cultures between Africa, Europe and the Americas. As part of CapU's BHM activities, this class is open to visitors.
Black History Month in Film #2—Double feature
6–9:30 p.m.
Theatre, Bosa Centre for Film & Animation
Africville: re:LOCATION: How Uprooted Communities Fight to Survive Series
Runtime: 30 minutes
Africville, the once vibrant, prosperous and self-sustaining community that took pride in its own church, post office, school and brightly painted houses, has now come to represent the oppression and overwhelming racism/injustice faced by Black Canadians and the efforts to right historic wrongs.
Cool Black North
Runtime: 1 hour 28 minutes
Cool Black North explores the unique and vibrant Canadian Black community and its role in Canada's contemporary identity.
Following the films, there will be a moderated closing dialogue.
Week 3—February 13–17
Monday, February 13
JAZZ 376—Music of the African Diaspora with Kofi Gbolonyo, PhD
8:30–10:20 a.m.
Cedar Building, room CE148
Learn about the musical cultures of the African Diaspora, tracing intersecting and multi-directional movements of people, music and cultures between Africa, Europe and the Americas. As part of CapU's BHM activities, this class is open to visitors.
HIST 333—History of Slavery and Anti-slavery with Derek Murray, PhD
1:30–2:50 p.m.
Library Building, room LB216
Join the class and watch the film, The Black Atlantic: 1500-1800 (from The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross). Following the film, there will be a discussion. This class can accommodate up to 25 visitors, as part of CapU's BHM activities.
Tuesday, February 14
FREE concert event & panel discussion: Pop culture as a form of Black resistance with the Caili O'Doherty Quintet
11:30–1 p.m.
BlueShore at CapU or join on Zoom
The Caili O'Doherty Quintet, a New York-based jazz ensemble, will visit CapU for an educational performance on Jazz and The Great Migration, a look at U.S. history and the relationship between Black American Music. We are grateful to the U.S. Consulate for hosting this special event.
Wednesday, February 15
History of Barbados
| Session 1 | 9:30–10:50 a.m. Join on Zoom |
|---|---|
| Session 2 | 1:30–2:50 p.m. Join on Zoom |
Join Chetwyn Ryce, producer and entrepreneur, and Neal Hope, Barbados cinematographer/documentarian /filmmaker and CapU alumnus, for a discussion around the topic of representing the African Diaspora of the British Caribbean plantation economy.
Friday, February 17
African drumming workshop with Kofi Gbolonyo, PhD
1–2:20 p.m.
Fir Building, room FR113
As part of CapU's BHM activities, this workshop in the Jazz Studies program is open to visitors for in person participation.
JAZZ 376—Music of the African Diaspora with Kofi Gbolonyo, PhD
3–4:50 p.m.
Cedar Building, room CE148
Learn about the musical cultures of the African Diaspora, tracing intersecting and multi-directional movements of people, music and cultures between Africa, Europe and the Americas. As part of CapU's BHM activities, this class is open to visitors.
Black History Month in Film #3—Ninth Floor and Viper
6–9:30 p.m.
Theatre, Bosa Centre for Film & Animation
Runtime: 1 hour 22 minutes
Director Mina Shum makes her foray into feature documentary by reopening the file on a watershed moment in Canadian race relations—the infamous Sir George Williams Riot. Over four decades after a group of Caribbean students accused their professor of racism, triggering an explosive student uprising, Shum locates the protagonists and listens as they set the record straight, trying to make peace with the past.
Before the feature, there will be a screening of Viper, a short film about Hogan's Alley by BMPA alumni, Raine Stephen LeMay.
Following the film, there will be a moderated closing dialogue.
Week 4—February 20–24 (Reading Break)
Monday, February 20
Self-exploration—Mark Campbell
The story of University of Toronto music and culture professor and DJ, Mark Campbell: How Canadian hip hop prepared a future music professor and DJ to navigate the world he was growing up in.
Wednesday, February 22
Self-exploration—Hip Hop Evolution
Hip-Hop Evolution, hosted by Juno Award-winning artist Shad: The series profiles the history of hip-hop music through interviews with many of the genre's leading cultural figures. Watch on Netflix.
Thursday, February 23
Curriculum gaps at CapU*NEW DATE*
11:30–1 p.m.
Cedar Building, room CE148 or join on Zoom
Join a facilitated conversation about Black programming and curriculum, and the gaps that exist at CapU. We ask the questions—Are there gaps? Is there demand for Black curriculum in programs? If not, why not? Are there biases in existing curriculum and courses that need to be acknowledged and addressed? How about an African Studies program? While this is being held over reading break, anyone interested in this discussion is invited to attend, particularly senior leaders, deans and faculty.
Self-exploration—What is hip-hop and why does it matter?
What is hip-hop and why does it matter? A brief history of hip-hop from Academy of Music & Sound.
Friday, February 24
Self-exploration—Rights Back at You podcast
Rights Back at You: Amnesty International Canada examines anti-Black racism, policing, and surveillance in their podcast, Rights Back At You, hosted by Daniella Barreto. Together, we unravel the Canada you think you know and challenge the systems that hold back human rights.
Week 5—February 27 to March 3
Monday, February 27
JAZZ 376—Music of the African Diaspora with Kofi Gbolonyo, PhD
8:30–10:20 a.m.
Cedar Building, room CE148
Learn about the musical cultures of the African Diaspora, tracing intersecting and multi-directional movements of people, music and cultures between Africa, Europe and the Americas. As part of CapU's BHM activities, this class is open to visitors.
Thursday, March 2
Black History Month Celebration—Indoor Craft & Entertainment Fair**NEW DATE**
11–4 p.m.
Birch Building, Lower Cafeteria or Join on Zoom
Come celebrate the last day of Black History Month with an amazing showcase of arts, culture, music and heritage.
Activities throughout the day include:
- A performance by DJ O Show
- Embrace Rwanda International Society craft and fabric sale
- Dancing by Florence & Rosemary
- Performances by students from CapU's Jazz Studies program
- Slam poetry and other readings
- Writing showcase
- A variety of booths highlighting local Black businesses and entrepreneurs
- Get a "Taste of Africa" at the Birch Building Cafeteria for lunch
Grand opening: Black Students Union Resource Centre
11:30–1:30 p.m.
Library Building, room LB115
Come celebrate the grand opening of the new Black Students Union (BSU) Resource Centre, with the Capilano Students' Union and the BSU. Enjoy food, music and check out the new space on campus.
Friday, March 3
Revered CapU faculty, Kofi Gbolonyo leads students in explorations of the African roots of jazz
8–10 p.m.
The BlueShore at CapU
Buy tickets: $30.00
This celebration of the music of Africa will feature works created by our faculty in collaboration with Kofi Gbolonyo, as well as traditional music from Ghana, West Africa. Above all, it will be a concert fueled by a passion for sharing Africa’s musical heritage with the larger community. And, yes, by all means, feel free to dance!
Interested in learning more?
- BC Black History Awareness Society: A society creating an awareness of the history of Blacks in B.C., stimulating interest in the contributions of persons of African ancestry to B.C. and Canada today, and celebrating historical and contemporary achievements.
- Hogan’s Alley Society: A non-profit organization composed of civil rights activists, business professionals, community organizations, artists, writers and academics committed to daylighting the presence of Black history in Vancouver and throughout British Columbia.
- Better Allies: Everyday actions to create inclusive, engaging workplaces
- Canadian Museum of Human Rights
Submitted by: Communications