Editors:
February is Black History Month, and The Canadian Press will be planning a series of stories to mark the occasion. These stories, originating in all departments and spanning the whole country, will run throughout the month and carry the root slug Black-History. Though the topics covered in our series will touch on issues ranging from politics to film, many will have a general theme of accountability, follow-through on past promises and progress in efforts to tackle systemic discrimination.
Move dates are subject to change, and stories may be added as the month progresses. Any questions can be directed to Weekends and Special Projects Editor Michelle McQuigge at michelle.mcquigge@thecanadianpress.com, or Acting Managing Editor Tim Cook at tim.cook@thecaadianpress.com
Moving Sunday, Jan. 30
Director Jennifer Holness's 'Subjects of Desire' examines the power of Black beauty
Black-History-TV-Holness
Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- Toronto filmmaker Jennifer Holness says making her latest documentary, "Subjects of Desire," gave her the "permission to take up space" as a Black woman, from the shape of her hair to the sound of her voice to her hope of reminding young Black girls there is power in their beauty. By Sadaf Ahsan. With photos.
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Moving Feb. 3
Black-History-Courts
HALIFAX - Jason Middleton’s life started to change when he read a 20-page sentencing report about his chaotic life history, detailing how the sexual and physical abuse of his youth was tied to being an African Nova Scotian in a society rife with discrimination and racism. The reports, referred to as Impact of Race and Culture Assessments, are a Nova Scotia innovation that advocates say are a partial antidote to Black distrust of a largely white judiciary’s racial biases. 900 words. By Michael Tutton. With Photo.
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Moving Feb. 6
Black-History-Big-Miller
EDMONTON - His statue adorns an Edmonton park, suitably larger than life. Clarence "Big" Miller grew up in American jazz hotbeds and sang with the best of them, but his real legacy began when he moved north and brought the blues with him. By Bob Weber.
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Moving Feb. 8
Black-History-Senate-Art
Reporter Marie Woolf will have a story about an exhibit of art by Black Canadians being put on by the Senate of Canada.
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Moving Feb. 9
Black-History-Olympics
In 2002, Canadian hockey player Jarome Iginla became the first Black man to win gold at the Winter Olympics. It was a milestone moment – but it hasn’t really led to more Black athletes at the Olympics. By Lori Ewing.
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Moving Feb. 11
Black-History-Black-Caucus
Reporter Allison Jones will have a story about the Ontario NDP's Black Caucus. She'll explore the work they’re doing, the impacts they’ve made in the past three years, and what it’s like to try to advance minority rights in a political system that doesn't always lend itself to such efforts.
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Moving Feb. 13
Black-History-Health-Care
MONTREAL - Black health-care workers have long been on the front lines in Quebec, and with COVID-19 the role they play has become all the more crucial. We will talk to former and current workers about how the risks of delivering care during a global pandemic has affected their families and their communities. By Virginie Ann. With photos.
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Moves Feb. 14
When it comes to representation, Canadian filmmakers say there is still room to grow
Black-History-FILM-Creator
Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- After writing an open letter in 2020 to the Canadian government demanding greater representation on screen, Black creators say we still have a ways to go. But change has been sparked, with programs like Netflix's Being Black in Canada, CBC's HireBIPOC, and more, all of which have made space for new, exciting talent. By Sadaf Ahsan. With photos.
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Moving Feb. 18
Black-History-TV-Porter
Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- When CBC's 'The Porter' - a television drama that digs deep into Canada's oft forgotten history of Black porters - debuts this month, it will become the network's biggest Black-led show, ringing in Black History Month in a powerful way. By Sadaf Ahsan. With photos
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Moving Feb. 21
Black-History-Cannabis
Almost four years after recreational cannabis was legalized, Health Canada will review the pot licensing process in hopes of making it more equitable and easy to navigate for racialized entrepreneurs. Black business owners say it's about time and share how they think licensing could be made less onerous and more fair. By Tara Deschamps.
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Moving Feb. 24
Black-History-John-Wiggins
Reporter Steven Loung will have a profile on John Wiggins, the Toronto Raptors’ vice-president of organizational culture. He's been tasked with “leading members throughout the organization in addressing social injustice, inclusion, equity and political reform."
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Moving Feb. 28
OTTAWA — Recent years have seen the federal government launch initiatives specifically targeting Black Canadians, among them the Black Entrepreneurship Program and/or the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative. Our Ottawa bureau will take a closer look at how those or similar projects are faring.
The Canadian Press
The Canadian Press
