Our Mission

Black History Month was introduced in 1995 to promote Canadian Black history. Many Canadians are unaware of the history of Black people in Canada. Our mission is to encourage you to research, learn, and discover Canadian Black history.

Canadian Jazz musician, Oscar Peterson, CC, CQ, OOnt (1925-2007) wrote the iconic anthem, Hymn to Freedom in 1962 during the time that the fight for civil rights gained strength in the USA, Canada, and around the world. The lyrics were composed by Harriette Hamilton. We chose this music as the inspiration for this video to recognize and celebrate some of the many people whose contributions have made Canada the great country that it is.

This new version of Hymn to Freedom was launched at a concert in Waterloo, on March 22, 2019. Celine Peterson, Oliver Jones, Jean Augustine and Carl James spoke at the event. The video which accompanies it includes images and visuals which span the 500 years of Canadian Black History, from Mathieu DaCosta to the present time. Some of the featured events and people are the Underground Railroad, Viola Desmond, Hugh Burnett, Lincoln Alexander and Michaëlle Jean. This will be an introduction for viewers to explore the significant contributions of the Black communities to Canadian history.

Lauris DaCosta, is the creator and co-ordinator of the Hymn to Freedom project. The Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre is a proud partner along with other community organizations including the Congress of Black Women, Waterloo Chapter; the Canadian Caribbean Association of Waterloo Region; the Guelph Black Heritage Society; and Bring on the Sunshine.