This Black History month, explore events, achievements, and inspirational stories of Black flourishing that continues to shape our university community.
Jump to: Events | Initiatives | Stories | Support Black Communities | Resources
A message from the President and Vice-Chancellor, Vivek Goel
This year marks 30 years since Black History Month was officially recognized in Canada. The national theme in 2026 is 30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.
The theme recognizes the lasting contributions of Black Canadians. It honours leadership, creativity, innovation and resilience across generations. It also looks ahead to the future, something we do here every day at the University of Waterloo.
At Waterloo, generations of Black students, alumni, faculty and staff have helped shape a better future for all. Some do this through research and education. Others do it through ideas that improve lives in Canada and around the world. This month, I encourage our community to learn about the people whose work reflects that vision.
2026 Black History Month Events
TRACES 2026
February 14 | 6:00 p.m.
TRACES is an annual multidisciplinary African cultural showcase produced by the University of Waterloo African Student Association (UWASA). Through theatre, dance, spoken word, fashion, and storytelling, TRACES celebrates African and Black diasporic identities while amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering intercultural dialogue.
Queer Film Series: Screening of "The Revival: Women and the Word"
February 25 | 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
The Faculty of Mathematics' Queer Film Series is partnering with the Black Studies Program to put on a special screening! The Revival: Women and the Word (2016) is a documentary, directed by Sekiya Dorsett—a queer filmmaker—that follows a US tour group of black lesbian poets and musicians who are leading the charge of a historical movement to build community among queer women of colour.
LIBH: Fridays After 5
Every Friday | 5:00 pm
Join us in the EDI-R Office in EC5 for Fridays After 5, a recurring series created by the Laterna Black Innovation Hub (LBIH) in partnership with the Office of EDI-R. These gatherings are designed as space to unwind, build community, and celebrate Blackness in all forms.Whether you’re looking to meet new people, engage in meaningful discussions, or simply enjoy a welcoming community vibe, this is the place to be. Everyone’s welcome!
Initiatives
Equity reads
Check out the Black History Month Equity Reads collection of books displayed at the Dana Porter and Davis Centre Libraries! This collection holds titles that showcase writing from diverse perspectives that bridge the academic and novel-like discussions that fall under EDI-R.
Ithaka S+R collections assessment project
The Libraries are part of a cohort of 17 Canadian and American post-secondary institutions supporting Ithaka S+R to create a framework for assessing the Blibiodiversity (book diversity) of our collections. The University of Waterloo Libraries is using this framework to assess their own collections.
Together in Community: Mural Painting
In the Fall 2025 term, students, staff, and faculty were invited to help transform the DC Fishbowl into a canvas of creativity and connection. Guided by the theme of community, participants painted a hexagon tile that, when combined, will form a vibrant mural showcasing the diverse perspectives here at Waterloo.
Making a difference
Read about our students, researchers and alumni who are making a difference.
Other stories
Creating an equitable health-care system in Canada
Igniting curiosity and interest in STEM
Expanding community connections for Black students to flourish
Discovering Canada’s trailblazing Black accountants
Flourishing through diplomacy and creativity
Student spotlight: Rahima Shokoya
CIBC Inclusion Award for Black students will empower future leaders
Support Black Communities at UWaterloo
Feel inspired to give? Choose from one of the following funds below designed to promote equity at the University of Waterloo:
Black Student Opportunities Fund
Collective Movement Award for Community Leadership
Engineering Equity Fund
Black and Indigenous Students Engineering Outreach Program
Warriors Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Fund
School of Architecture Racial Equity and Environmental Justice Fund
Black History and Anti-Racism Resources
Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate Supports
Our institution is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all community members.
Visit this webpage to learn more about the University of Waterloo's commitments with respect to anti-racism and anti-hate and explore how the University is proactively creating an inclusive post-secondary environment.
Community organizations
- African Caribbean Black Network Waterloo Region
- University of Waterloo Association of Caribbean Students
- Black Faculty Collective
- Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region
- Racial Advocacy for Inclusion, Solidarity and Equity (RAISE)
- University of Waterloo Black Association for Student Expression (UWBASE)
- University of Waterloo African Graduate Student Association
- University of Waterloo African Student Association
Taskforces and working groups
- Anti-Oppression Knowledge Integrators (AOK) working group | Knowledge Integration
- Anti-Racism Taskforce | Department of History
- Anti-Racism Faculty Collective | Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies (RLS)
- President's Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART)
- Equity. Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Working Group | Physchology Department
- The Alliance | Athletics and Recreation
Academic programs and courses
Asynchronous learning
- Education Catalogue | The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism
Help us grow these lists! Email us your suggestions.