This February, Niagara College marked Black History Month with a series of events that brought the NC community together to honour the achievements, creativity, and resilience of Black Canadians and African diasporic peoples. From workshops to markets and educational discussions, students, employees, and community members had opportunities throughout the month to connect, reflect, and celebrate the many contributions of Black culture, past and present.
“We are honoured, as a college community, to collectively celebrate Black history, joy, and creativity,” said Samah Sabra, Director, EDI and Accessibility. “NC’s Black History Month celebrations have grown and deepened over the last few years as we have built meaningful partnerships with the Black Students Association and Black-led organizations across the region.”
This year’s theme for Black History Month in Canada is “Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.”
“The opportunity to highlight the rich and deep history of Black presence in the region, connect through poetry, and create space to celebrate and appreciate Black owned businesses and organizations across Niagara were all ways to honour past, present, and future Black nation builders and visionaries,” said Sabra.
Winter Pop-up Market
NC hosted its annual Winter Pop-up Market on February 11, celebrating Black-owned businesses and student entrepreneurs. Held at the Welland Campus, the market offered a space for the NC community and public to shop, connect, and support local creativity.
The event was hosted by Black Owned 905 in partnership with NC’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) team, the Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC), and Community Relations and Events. Vendors included Positive Living Niagara, Future Black Female, Soulicious Pepper Sauce, RivR Candle, Baki Ink Shop, and Glamourous Goddess.
NC student entrepreneurs also showcased their talents, including Electronic Engineering Technician student Alida Mathilde Mekontso’s Math Empire with beaded bags and lip gloss, and Computer Systems Technician student Tamara Brushe’s BusyBee Prints, offering custom t-shirts created live at the market.
The NC Black Student Association also joined, connecting with attendees and highlighting their initiatives. Black Student Association President Darlington Nwachukwu reflected on the experience in a Community Voices blog post that can be read here: Empowering Black Students through Community on Campus
YourTV broadcasted live from the market, speaking with Nwachukwu, Future Black Female’s Monique Maison, and student vendor Tamara Brushe about the importance of community and entrepreneurship that was showcased on campus.
Watch the segment below.
‘Words that Heal’ Poetry Slam Workshop
On February 17, NC welcomed alumna Cassandra Muileboom (Honours Bachelor of Business Administration – International Commerce & Global Development program, 2011), a writer, speaker, and qualifying clinical psychoanalyst, to lead a poetry slam workshop at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus.
The session provided students and employees with a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental space to explore self-expression and healing through poetry – a tool Muileboom explores to support mental health and mitigate stress.
Participants engaged in three guided exercises: writing a poem for oneself, for a loved one, and for the world. The workshop encouraged introspection and creativity as well as connection through collaboration.
Participants left learning about the positive impacts of poetry and how writing can be used as a tool for reflection, healing, and connection.
Niagara’s Freedom Trail: Discovering Significant People, Places, and Events with Rochelle Bush
NC alumna and Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Rochelle Bush (Fashion Arts, 1983 and Social Service Worker program, 2018), owner of Tubman Tours Canada, led a discussion highlighting three centuries of Black history in Niagara. The talk, held both in-person at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus and online via Zoom, explored the rich history of Black communities in the region, including abolitionist activity, Underground Railroad freedom runners, and historically significant structures along Niagara’s Freedom Trail.
NC President Sean Kennedy welcomed attendees and Bush to campus, thanking everyone for their ongoing commitment to making the College a welcoming place and for strengthening the community by celebrating and recognizing diversity on and off campus.
Bush’s session highlighted significant events, figures, language, and places, giving attendees a deeper understanding of the rich history, culture, and impact of Black communities in Niagara.
Student Art Exhibit – Honouring Our Past, Inspiring Our Futures
Throughout February, the Welland Campus Library and Learning Commons featured a student art exhibit titled “Honouring Our Past, Inspiring Our Futures” that celebrates Black artistry and creativity. The exhibition showcased two art pieces by NC students reflecting the past, present, and future of Black experiences and excellence, displayed alongside Jamaican-Canadian artist Nadine Williams’ community art project quilt installation, The Fabric of Our Being, unveiled in March 2025.
