Lincoln Alexander Day acknowledges and honours the significant contributions he made to Canada as human rights advocate whose work aided in dismantling barriers, changing attitudes, and shaping equity, diversity and inclusion. He was the first Black Canadian to be elected as Member of Parliament in the House of Commons, to be appointed as Cabinet minister and to be appointed as Lieutenant Governor. Additionally, he was the first Black Chair of the Worker’s Compensation Board of Ontario.
A passionate advocate for advancement of education, race relations and youth issues, he served as Chancellor of the University of Guelph and Chair of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.
Lincoln Alexander Day presents an opportunity to learn more about his impact and celebrate Black Canadians contributions as we approach the celebration of Black History Month.
Throughout February, Niagara College will mark Black History Month with events and activities for our community to celebrate the achievements, contributions and lived experiences of Black Canadians and African diasporic peoples.
Celebrating Black History in the Niagara Region with Lezlie Harper
February 7 from 2 to 3 p.m.
Lezlie Harper is the owner/operator of Niagara Bound Tours, a Black history tour company located in St. Catharines, Ontario. The company opened 20 years ago this March providing in person group and private tours and presentations. Spanning the 1700s to present day, the tours and presentations highlight and celebrate the Niagara Region’s rich Black history.
Lezlie is a fifth plus generation Black Canadian whose family came to Canada in 1851 settling in Fort Erie. She is a proud Canadian who celebrates her ancestral history and continues to engage in an ongoing learning journey as she enters her 20th year of offering tours and presentations to people from around the world.
At present she sits on the Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State, which is dedicated to preserving historic sites throughout the state. Additionally, she is working in collaboration with state representatives from the U.S. to establish a Harriet Tubman Trail that will end in Ontario. Her latest project is working with the World Canal Conference that is coming to Buffalo, New York in 2025.
Throughout the presentation we encourage participants to ask questions.
Register for the event.
Save the date: February 16
NCSAC, International and the Afro-Caribbean Club are partnering on an event – stay tuned for details!
Community Activities & Learning Resources
Below is a list of a variety of learning resources and activities that you can participate in to learn more about and celebrate Black History in the Niagara Region.
Feb. 17: Variety Show: Downtown St. Catharines is calling on Black and Afro-Caribbean artists of any age or skill level who want to showcase their talent. They are also calling for Black visual artists looking to display their work at key locations in downtown St. Catharines through February. Contact [email protected] for details.
Feb. 25: Black History Pop-Up Market – UMOJA inside the new EXchange in Niagara Falls. Market open between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Anti-Oppression & Anti-Racism Resources available through the Libraries and Learning Commons.
Black History Along the Niagara River-Niagara Parks
Black history in NOTL: commemorating national historic significance
Book a tour with Niagara Bound Tours
Book a tour with Tubman Tours Canada
Follow @blackowned905
Follow @ericasembrace
Follow @matterofblackniagara
Niagara Symphony Orchestra-Soulful A Celebration
Read Slavery and Freedom in Niagara by Michael Power and Nancy Butler
St. Catharines Library-Norval Johnson Heritage Centre Collection
Visit the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum
- Watch the documentary “Black History — A Hidden History,” available for viewing on the museum’s YouTube channel.
Visit Salem Chapel-St. Catharines
Visit the St. Catharines Museum
Visit the Voices of Freedom Park
