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Black History Month

Black History Month honours the contributions and achievements of Black Canadians. It is a time of education, reflection and celebration, showcasing the past, present and future of community culture and innovations.

We spotlight talented artists, authors, musicians and amplify local voices and stories that reflect the vibrancy of Mississauga, one of Canada’s most culturally diverse cities.

This year’s national theme for Black History Month is “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.” The theme celebrates three decades of Black History Month in Canada and recognizes the enduring legacy of Black Canadians.

Celebrating Black Excellence Event

February 27, 2026 | 7 to 9 p.m. | Mississauga City Hall

The City of Mississauga in partnership with the Black Caucus Alliance, invite you to attend the Black Excellence Awards during Black History Month.

This is an evening to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of Mississauga’s Black community. The celebration involves musical guests, keynote speakers and an awards ceremony.

Doors open at 6 p.m.

Black History Month provides the opportunity for celebration and serves as a strong reminder that Black history is our history.

Learn more

2026 Black History Month Programming

Lighting the Clock Tower
Lighting the Clock Tower

February 01, 2026 | Evening | Celebration Square

To recognize Black History Month, the Civic Centre clock tower will be lit black, red, yellow and green on February 1 and on all other evenings in February unless another cause is scheduled to be recognized.

Library Movie Screenings
Library Movie Screenings

This February, we celebrate Black History Month with a diverse selection of black cinema – from gothic horror to sun-soaked reggae road trips. Join us every Thursday night to watch a great movie on the big screen. Popcorn will be provided, while supplies last. Presented in collaboration with our Movie Discussion Club.

Explore a diverse selection of movies, all accessible through Kanopy on the Library’s website.

Do the Right Thing
February 5, 2026 | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Hazel McCallion Central Library

Eve’s Bayou
February 12, 2026 | 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. | Hazel McCallion Central Library

The Harder They Come
February 19, 2026 | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Hazel McCallion Central Library

Hollywood Shuffle
February 26, 2026 | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Hazel McCallion Central Library

    Learn more

    African Drumming & Storytelling
    African Drumming & Storytelling

    Join us for an entertaining dance, hand drumming and interactive storytelling program. Drums provided. Presented by Drums et al. Limited capacity. First come, first served.

    February 7, 2026
    11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Malton Library
    2 to 3 p.m |Clarkson Library

    February 14, 2026
    11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Churchill Meadows Library
    2 to 3 p.m | Mississauga Valley Library

    Learn more

    Sauga Connections for Older Adults: Thursday Hot Topics
    Sauga Connections for Older Adults: Thursday Hot Topics

    Negro Spirituals through the Generations
    February 12, 2026 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Virtual

    Join a virtual presentation by Faith States-Linton. The presenter is a proud eighth-generation descendant of the Black Loyalists who settled in Canada after earning freedom from American slavery. This was achieved by fighting in the American Revolutionary War for the British, who offered land in Nova Scotia to Black men who enlisted. In Canada, Black Loyalists sing the traditional Negro Spirituals that have been sung for generations during slavery, in historically Black churches, which were created because they were not welcomed elsewhere.

    Artist Feature: Edith Hester McDonald-Brown
    February 26, 2026 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Virtual

    Explore the art of still life painting with modern subject matter. Participants will be encouraged to select objects that hold personal meaning and incorporate them in the style of artist Edith Hester McDonald-Brown (1886-1954).

    Explore Thursday hot topics workshops

    REEL Thursdays - The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit
    REEL Thursdays - The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit

    February 12, 2026 | 7 to 9 p.m. | Living Arts Centre

    Experience the magic of cinema with REEL Thursdays, a curated film series presented in collaboration with the TIFF Film Circuit. This monthly event celebrates diverse stories and themes, offering a rich cinematic journey. Proudly hosted by the City of Mississauga, screenings take place in the cozy Screening Room at the Living Arts Centre.

    The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit is a landmark double portrait of Detroit’s extraordinary jazz legacy and the dynamic city that produced it. The film chronicles the defining influence of Detroit’s innovative musicians on jazz history, while also tracing the dramatic rise and fall of the city as an industrial power, the struggles and triumphs of its creative and resilient African American community, and the profound tradition of mentorship that has nurtured Detroit jazz since the 1950s.

    Learn more

    Book Club: Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
    Book Club: Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

    The Library’s Book Clubs are a great way to meet other readers and talk about books you might never have discovered yourself. Share your reading favourites with other book lovers and discuss what you have been reading. New participants are always welcome.

    Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
    February 17, 2026 | 10 to 11:30 a.m. | Port Credit Library
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    Let’s Talk Black History Month
    February 18, 2026 | 7 to 8 p.m. | Hazel McCallion Central Library
    Learn more

    Midday Melodies: Chamber Music Live with Waleed Abdulhamid
    Midday Melodies: Chamber Music Live with Waleed Abdulhamid

    Enjoy a relaxing afternoon filled with beautiful music. Unwind and appreciate some wonderful tunes with featured musician, Waleed Abdulhamid.

    The music of Waleed Abdulhamid is where the ancient meets the modern. It draws its rhythmic spirit from deep African roots and brings together a variety of languages and musical traditions from across the continent. You can call it jazz, you can call it fusion – it’s a blend of African styles shaped into something new.

    February 18, 2026
    12 to 1 p.m. | Hazel McCallion Central Library
    Learn more

    February 18, 2026
    3 to 4 p.m. | Port Credit Library
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    Online Author Talk: Antonio Michael Downing
    Online Author Talk: Antonio Michael Downing

    February 25, 2026 | 7 to 8 p.m. | Virtual

    Join us for a conversation with Antonio Michael Downing, host of CBC radio’s “The Next Chapter” and author of the acclaimed memoir “Saga Boy” and children’s book “Stars in My Crown”. Antonio will discuss his writing and debut novel, “Black Cherokee,” a courageous, coming-of-age story about a mixed-race Black girl fighting for recognition in a South Carolina Cherokee community.

    Learn more

    Caribbean Vibes Fun Swim
    Caribbean Vibes Fun Swim

    February 27, 2026 | 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. | Meadowvale Pool

    Join a drop-in swim class at Meadowvale Pool focused on fun, recreational swimming for people of all ages.

    Learn more

    Benares After Dark: Women in Black History
    Benares After Dark: Women in Black History

    February 27, 2026 | 7 to 8:30 p.m. | Benares Historic House

    Join us for a guided evening tour of Benares Historic House where we’ll uncover local and “hidden” histories of Black women in Mississauga and Canada from early settlement onward. 

    Learn more

    Raptors 905 vs Greensboro Swarm - Black Heritage Month Game
    Raptors 905 vs Greensboro Swarm - Black Heritage Month Game

    February 28, 2026 | 2 p.m. | Paramount Fine Foods Centre

    Celebrate Black excellence with the Raptors 905. Our annual Black Heritage Game showcases culture, community and history through powerful performances, themed jerseys, and a night of unity and pride on and off the court.

    Learn more

    Virtual Fitness Class
    Virtual Fitness Class

    February 25, 2026 | 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Virtual

    Join the Roots and Resilience virtual fitness class. The fitness activity focuses on honouring Black history through grounded strength and steady movement. For anyone with a Fit, Fit+, All-In, or 65+ Fit membership, Virtual Fitness is included at no extra cost.

    Reach out to virtualfitness@mississauga.ca for further details.

    Pan-African flag raising
    Pan-African flag raising

    February 27, 2026 | 8 a.m. | Mississauga Celebration Square

    The Pan-African Flag will be raised at Mississauga City Hall in honour of the Black Excellence Awards.

    Black History Month Book List
    Black History Month Book List

    Ready to discover a new author or revisit a favourite from the past? Browse this collection of titles to celebrate Black History

    Learn more

    Black Excellence Playlist
    Black Excellence Playlist

    This Black History Month, check out the City’s curated Spotify playlist. The powerful list features amazing, local Black artists. The songs on the list focus on Black joy, empowerment, resistance, and resilience. Enjoy!

    Listen to the playlist

    Youth Paint Nights
    Youth Paint Nights

    Various Community Centres

    Paint nights will be available at various community centres throughout Black History Month. The work of Edith Hester Macdonald Brown will be highlighted. Participants will be provided with historical information of the painter. They will then be taught classical academic painting, the style for which she was known. Check with your local community centre for dates and times.

    Video Panel Discussion from ‘A History Exposed’
    Video Panel Discussion from ‘A History Exposed’

    Take a moment to watch a panel discussion from the exhibition, ‘A History Exposed: The Enslavement of Black People in Canada’. Featuring distinguished historian, poet, and exhibition curator Dr. Afua Cooper, alongside scholar Dr. Cheryl Thompson, local historian Justine Lyn, and municipal leader Nakia Phillips.

    Watch video

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