Events paying tribute to the legacies and accomplishments of black Canadians, both past and present, are being held throughout Toronto in February, as the city marks Black History Month.

Considered the first Canadian municipality to officially recognize the month-long celebration, Toronto has been observing Black History Month since 1979. That's when the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) successfully petitioned the city for official recognition.

The federal government followed suit in 1995, officially recognizing February as Black History Month after a motion introduced by the first black Canadian Member of Parliament, Jean Augustine, was carried unanimously by the House of Commons.

To learn more about the history of OBHS, as well as the history of African-Canadians in Ontario, an art exhibit at Toronto's Market Gallery will be open daily to the public until April 19.

When: Feb. 1 to April 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: 95 Front St. E, The Market Gallery, second floor of the St. Lawrence Market

More information: The Market Gallery

 

Other events across the city:

 

Mackenzie House

Take a step back in time at the Mackenzie House on weekends throughout the month of February. Learn about Toronto's early black community and its leaders, including those who published newspapers.

When: Weekends in February, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: 82 Bond St., 416-392-6915

More information: Mackenzie House

 

TIFF Black History Month

Pioneering African-American filmmaker Oscar Micheaux will be spotlighted in an eight-film retrospective. The film festival features a number of Micheaux's classic films, including "God's Step Children," a movie film critic James Lewis Hoberman has described as a "profound and powerful embodiment of American racial pathology."

When: Feb. 1 – Feb. 23

For more information on film times and screening locations, visit the TIFF website.

 

Toronto Public Library celebrates Black History Month

Feel the rhythm of Black History Month and join Mystic Drumz on Friday for a hands-on demonstration that will introduce you to the basics of African-style drumming. The Toronto Public Library will also host a number of other Black History Month events across the city, including a speaker gala and historical storytelling.

For more information, visit the Toronto Public Library upcoming events page.

 

Harry Jerome biopic to tour Canadian high schools

The story of Canadian Olympic sprinter Harry Jerome will be told to high school students throughout the month of February. Toronto writer-director Charles Officer is teaming with Reel Canada for a Black History Month tour of the track star's biopic. The film will be shown at high schools across Canada, including Marc Garneau Collegiate, Bloor Collegiate and Parkdale Collegiate in Toronto.

 

Kuumba

Considered the waterfront's longest-running Black History Month event, Kuumba offers three days of music, comedy, dance and films that showcase the "vitality" of Toronto's African and Caribbean communities.

When: Feb. 7 – 9, 2014

Where: Toronto's Harbourfront Centre

More information: http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/kuumba/

 

Monestime photo exhibit 

Canada's first black mayor, Dr. Saint-Firmin Monestime, will be honoured with a photo exhibit at Toronto City Hall. Born in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian-born politician and doctor, was first elected mayor of Mattawa, a small town in northeastern Ontario, in 1964.

When: Feb. 17 – 23, 2014

Where: Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. West. The official exhibit opening will be held on Feb. 18, 7 – 9 p.m.

More information: Monestime photo exhibit

 

The Underground Comedy Railroad show

Billed as Canada's "first and only" all black Canadian stand-up comedy tour, this cross-country show features a number of talented acts, including Gilson Lubin who has appeared on MTV Live in Canada.

When: The stand-up comedy tour kicks off in Toronto on Friday

Where: Baltic Avenue, 875 Bloor St. West

More information: The Underground Comedy Railroad show