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WINDSOR-ESSEX BLACK HISTORY MONTH OPENING CEREMONIES FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2022

Annually, a wide array of Black History Month events take place throughout our region, and even with the current restrictions this year will be no different. There are over 20 Black History Month events and activities planned for Windsor and Essex County alone! This year’s national Black History Month theme is ‘February and Forever: Celebrating Black History Today and Every Day’. However, the theme of this year’s Windsor-Essex Joint Black History Month Kick-off is ‘Celebrating Black Women of Excellence.’

The 2022 Windsor-Essex County Black History Month Activity Schedule will be available online at https://amherstburgfreedom.org/BHM as of January 28th at 7 pm. Event and activity updates and graphics can also be found @ecbhrs on Twitter or on the Black History Month Windsor Essex and Essex County Black Historical Research Society pages on Facebook.

The 2022 Windsor-Essex Black History Month Kickoff is taking place virtually this year on Friday, January 28th at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Interested parties can register for free via Eventbrite. The purpose is to publicly recognize the importance of Black History Month as well as to encourage the community to participate in the array of Black History Month events happening locally. This event will include:

  • Artistic performances (poetry and song) by local artists Melanie Brown-Simpson, Erik Johnson, Faith Williams, the Windsor West Indian Association Choir, Amina Abdulle, Florine Ndimubandi, Gabrielle Manroe and Nadine Manroe-Wakerell.
  • Black history highlights
  • Official release of the 2022 Windsor-Essex County Black History Month Activity Schedule of local Black heritage and cultural events  

The event is free to the public to attend virtually and is being hosted jointly by the Essex County Black Historical Research Society, the Windsor West Indian Association, Black Women of Forward Action and the Amherstburg Freedom Museum. Please visit Eventbrite to register to attend this free virtual celebration!

Windsor and Essex County are rich in Black history and heritage. Canadians of African descent have played important roles in the cultural, political, social, and economic progress of our community. Our region has been populated by people of African descent from the 18th century, when enslaved Africans were counted among the households of French-speaking pioneers and English-speaking United Empire Loyalists. In the 19th century, African American freedom seekers along with free people of colour streamed into this area by the thousands. In the modern era, immigrants from the farthest reaches of Africa and the Caribbean have made this their home.

  • What: 2022 Windsor-Essex Black History Month Kickoff
  • When: Friday, January 28th at 7 pm
  • Where: Virtually on Zoom, please register via Eventbrite
  • Admission: Free Event Open to Public

Founded in 2001, the Essex County Black Historical Research Society brings together individuals interested in the research, preservation, promotion and advancement of the Black (African-Canadian) history of the Windsor-Essex County area. Founded in 1968, the Windsor West Indian Association encourages the appreciation of Caribbean heritage and culture as well as a commitment to the enrichment of Canadian society. Founded in 2020, Black Women of Forward Action is a non-profit organization that aims to enrich and educate the community in which they live and be the force that is committed to unequivocal progress. Since its founding in 1975 as the North American Black Historical Museum, the Amherstburg Freedom Museum has been an exciting place to explore Black history.

The Amherstburg Freedom Museum is located at 277 King St.