Canada’s Black History Month at 30: Recognition, progress and the way forward
Canada must move beyond symbolic recognition of Black History Month toward concrete, measurable policy action, embedding equity goals into public programs, directing sustained resources to community-led initiatives, and holding institutions accountable for results, says Lolade Ozomoge, director of communications at the Canadian Black Policy Network. As the country marks 30 years since national recognition began, Ozomoge points to meaningful progress through federal, provincial, municipal and private-sector initiatives, while warning that persistent disparities in employment, health, housing and education demand stronger coordination, data collection and long-term investment. The next phase, she argues, must translate awareness into systemic change that delivers tangible improvements in the daily lives of Black Canadians.
