In the final week of Black History Month 2026, Dr. Alexie Tcheuyap, Dean of Arts, shares some of his unique experiences as well as his broader perspectives on the meaning of Black History Month in Canada.
What does Black History Month mean to you as a Canadian who was born and raised in Cameroon?
As a first generation Canadian, experiencing Black History Month first came to me with some surprise and, at time, trepidation. The most important reason is that after moving to Canada, I became more aware of my blackness in a society where I quickly realized I am what was called a “visible minority”, which is also often an audible minority because many would say I have a noticeable accent. Experiencing blackness has become central to who I am and, at times, to what I do. That is true of millions of Canadians who fled slavery to settle here or to those who are born here and continue to asked where they are “originally from”. So, this month is key to all Blacks in that it reminds other communities that there is an important segment of the population that has a lived experience that is unique to them and on which they all need to reflect as we collectively build our country in a tumultuous world.
How does your research field of African postcolonial literature, cinema and media enrich Black History Month learning here in Canada?
Black History Month is only a month. However, it would be important that we all remember the Black experience every day. My scholarship has the potential to enrich not only the numerous manifestations, but the entire national cultural experience. February is a moment of reflection and celebration. However, there is a lot Canada and other nations can learn from Black and postcolonial thoughts and cultures. I am not sure our society fully responds to the needs of our students and citizens by not exposing them to the richness of Black cultures. CBC has a wonderful set of documentaries entitled “Being Black in Canada” which chronicles the experience of people like me. How many Canadian students know about Martin Luther King, Cheikh Anta Diop, V. Y. Mudimbe, Rosa Parks, Chinua Achebe, Lawrence Hill or Jean Augustine? These are icons whom our society should cherish and help better propel to the center of our experience.