Dear members of the McGill community,
I am delighted to announce the kickoff today of 2024! Celebrated each February at McGill, BHM provides occasion to highlight Black excellence across and beyond our campus community.
BHM is primarily organized by McGill’s Equity Team with support of partners across the University. Our debuts this evening with a performance by dance collective which will be followed by a moderated talkback panel discussion about the performance and Black art and culture. A reception precedes the show and starts at 5 pm at Tanna Schulich Hall in the Elizabeth Wirth Music Building. We are delighted about the tremendous interest in this event, with a full house expected as registrations are at capacity!
One week from today, on Thursday February 8th, we will welcome McGill alumna and Associate Professor of History at the University of Toronto. Professor Newton (BA ’96) will deliver the McGill BHM 2024 Keynote Lecture, entitled “This Mess of a Colonial Legacy”: Revolutionary Relationalities, Arrivant Statehood and Afro-Indigenous Futures. This event will also be held at Tanna Schulich Hall at 5 pm. .
These are just two of many events happening on campus this month. A working list can be found here and we encourage all to attend and support the organizing efforts of various Faculties, departments, offices, and student groups at McGill.
Black History Month is officially recognized in Quebec since 2006 and at McGill since 2017. Our commemorations occur within the larger institutional context of our university’s ongoing efforts to celebrate the tremendous contributions of Black students, faculty, staff, and alumni. These contributions have a long tradition and history at McGill, and their recognition is a core commitment within McGill’s Acton Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism.
McGill has been working with perseverance and humility on the full implementation of this Action Plan. Credit for our progress is owed to the ABR Working Group within my office, the Dr. Kenneth Melville McGill Black Faculty and Staff Caucus, and student groups such as the Black Students’ Network and the McGill African Students’ Society. I am most indebted to these colleagues and students.
Please join me, in a spirit of community, learning, and celebration, in marking BHM 2024!
Sincerely,
Christopher P. Manfredi
Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic)