Black History Month

Exhibits and events at Town of Oakville facilities 

• Visit Oakville’s Black History exhibit, a set of 14 themed banners celebrating the heritage of Black Canadians in our community, that will be installed at recreation and culture centres across Oakville. Originally researched, written, and designed by Deborah Hudson for the Oakville Museum in 1999, the panels have been edited and redesigned several times over the years as new research becomes available. 
• Harmony: An Art Exhibit Celebrating Black Excellence speaks to the profound and vibrant legacy of Black history and culture. It will be on display at Town Hall and Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre. 
• On February 2 at 2 p.m., join the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton for the Black History Month Art Gallery Opening. Come check out the art and speak with some of the featured artists! Tickets are required and are available to purchase through Eventbrite.
• Join the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton on February 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. for the 2025 Black History Month Launch at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. The evening will include a keynote speech, musical performances and a reception featuring a Steel Band pannist. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased through the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. 
• Join the Halton Regional Police Service and Black Mentorship Inc on February 12 at 11 a.m. at QEPCC for a lunch and learn event where participants will explore the powerful intersection of art, identity, and community. The event is free, but registration is required. 
• Enjoy Family Day at QEPCC with Steelpan and Parang, a family-friendly drop in event on February 17 at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre. See Steelpan and Parang players showcase their talents and even try the instruments! 

Exhibits at Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate 

• Freedom, Opportunity and Family: Oakville’s Black History, an exhibition of artifacts, photos, text, and a documentary video telling stories of the many African-American families who settled in Oakville. 
• The Underground Railroad: Next Stop, Freedom, a multimedia presentation that follows the ghost of Deborah Brown, and her heroic fight from a life of slavery in Maryland to freedom in 19th-centry Toronto. 
• View Legacy Voices and Legacy Voices 2, a docuseries by the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton that highlights the journey of immigration and settlement in the Halton Region. 

Museum Walking Tours: Oakville and the Underground Railroad 

• On February 1 and 8, participate in a unique indoor/outdoor tour that offers a glimpse into the history of the Underground Railroad in Oakville. Check out the Freedom, Opportunity and Family: Oakville’s Black History exhibit, watch The Underground Railroad: Next Stop, Freedom and then end the tour with an outdoor walk highlighting the history of Oakville and the Underground Railroad. Tour times and registration details can be found on the Oakville Museum Programs and Events page. 
• On February 11, join us for a special Black History Month Tour for seniors 50+ from 1 to 3 p.m. Tickets are $7 plus tax, and are available at customer service counters at town community centres. 

Oakville’s Black History School Program

• Students in grades 5 to 10 can participate in Oakville’s Black History School Program where they’ll learn about key figures from Oakville’s Underground Railroad story and learn how individuals seeking liberty passed through Oakville’s harbour, settled in the area, and became integral to the town’s development. Grade 5 and 6 classes are eligible for Community Classroom Funding through the Oakville Community Foundation. 
• Join the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre on Friday, February 14 at 9 a.m. to celebrate Black History Month for students who have a PD Day. Students will participate in an educational presentation, a musical workshop, games, crafts and more! Registration is required for both juniors (6 to 8 years) and seniors (9 to 11 years). 

Additional resources

• A list of activities put together by CCAH on Black History Month events across Halton 
• Government of Canada's Black History Month materials