Learning, Listening, and Leading Together: How Our Community Can Support and Advocate for Black Women in Canada

Black History Month invites us into something deeper than celebration. It asks us to slow down, to listen more intentionally, and to expand our understanding of the stories, challenges, and contributions that have shaped Canada in ways many of us were never fully taught. For our community, this month is an opportunity not only to reflect, but to grow together — to learn how we can better support and advocate for Black women in Canada through awareness, education, and meaningful action.

Many people want to be supportive but simply don’t know where to begin. The first step is understanding that the experiences of Black women in Canada are shaped by both gender and racial barriers that often intersect in ways that are invisible to those who have not lived them. Across industries, Black women continue to face disparities in hiring, leadership opportunities, access to funding, and professional recognition. These challenges are rarely about talent or ambition; they are rooted in systems and biases that have existed for generations. Learning about these realities allows us to move beyond assumptions and toward empathy grounded in knowledge.

Education begins with curiosity and humility. It means being willing to listen, to ask thoughtful questions, and to acknowledge that Canadian history is broader and more complex than what many of us learned in school. For example, many Canadians are surprised to learn that Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to Canada’s House of Commons, was instrumental in establishing Black History Month nationwide in 1995. Her work ensured that the contributions of Black Canadians would become part of our national consciousness — not as a footnote, but as an essential chapter of Canadian history.

There are countless other stories that remain less widely known. Viola Desmond challenged racial segregation in Nova Scotia in 1946 when she refused to leave a whites-only section of a movie theatre, nearly a decade before similar acts of protest gained international attention elsewhere. Her courage sparked conversations about civil rights in Canada and continues to inspire generations today. Communities like Africville remind us of both resilience and injustice — a thriving Black community that was ultimately displaced through urban redevelopment decisions, leaving a lasting impact still discussed today. Even earlier, pioneers such as Mary Ann Shadd Cary broke barriers as the first Black female newspaper publisher in North America, advocating fiercely for education, equality, and opportunity.

Learning these stories changes perspective. It helps us understand that the conversations happening today about representation and equity are not new; they are part of a long continuum of advocacy and progress led by courageous individuals who refused to accept limitations placed upon them.

For many within our community — particularly those who may not personally experience racial discrimination — allyship becomes an important part of this journey. Allyship is not about having all the answers or saying everything perfectly. It is about participation. It is choosing to learn continuously, to amplify voices that may not always be heard, and to speak up when fairness or inclusion is at stake. Education should not end when February does. Real awareness becomes meaningful when it carries into everyday actions, conversations, and decisions throughout the year.

One of the most powerful yet often overlooked forms of advocacy is recognition. Within our sisterhood, we have the ability to create change simply by who we choose to support and elevate. Nominating Black women for awards, leadership opportunities, and speaking platforms is not a symbolic gesture — it is a tangible way to open doors. Many exceptional leaders remain unseen not because they lack impact, but because they lack visibility within influential networks. When we nominate someone, recommend their work, or celebrate their achievements publicly, we help shift who is recognized as a leader and who is invited into decision-making spaces.

Advocacy can be as simple as sharing someone’s story, recommending a Black-owned business, inviting diverse voices into conversations, or ensuring representation when opportunities arise. These small, intentional actions accumulate and begin to reshape systems from within. Change does not always happen through grand gestures; often, it grows through consistent, collective effort.

At its core, Black History Month reminds us that empowerment is collective. A strong sisterhood is built not only through shared success, but through shared responsibility — the willingness to understand each other’s realities and stand together in meaningful ways. When we take the time to learn, to educate ourselves, and to advocate intentionally, we help create spaces where Black leaders are not only welcomed but expected, supported, and celebrated.

Moving Forward Together

Black History Month reminds us that awareness is only the beginning. The real work happens afterward — in everyday choices, conversations, and actions.

As a community, we have the opportunity to lead differently:

• to learn intentionally,

• to advocate courageously,

• and to uplift consistently.

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Our sisterhood becomes stronger when we understand each other’s realities and commit to standing together — not only in celebration, but in support.

Because real empowerment happens when rooms change, doors open wider, and every woman walks into spaces where she is seen, valued, and prepared for success.

The goal is not perfection. The goal is progress — learning more, listening better, and lifting one another higher. Because when we commit to growing together as a community, we don’t just honour history; we help shape a future where opportunity is more inclusive, leadership is more representative, and every woman has the chance to thrive.