As we mark the 30th Anniversary of Black History Month in Canada, Tropicana Community Services is proud to join communities across the country in reflection, recognition, and renewed commitment.
The 2026 national theme, “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries,” invites us to honour the trailblazers who shaped Canada’s social, cultural, and political landscape, while uplifting the innovators, leaders, and change-makers who are defining our future.
For three decades, Black History Month has been both a celebration and a call to action — reminding us that Black history is Canadian history, and that the contributions of Black Canadians continue to strengthen our nation in profound and lasting ways. At Tropicana, this reflection aligns deeply with our mission to empower communities, create opportunity, and invest in the next generation.
Join Us: Black History Month Legacy Panel Discussion
We warmly invite you to join us on Friday, February 20th, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for an uplifting and informative Black History Month Legacy Panel Discussion. This special evening will feature an extraordinary panel of leaders whose lives and legacies embody Black excellence, service, and resilience. Panelists include:
- Jean Augustine, PC, CM, CBE — trailblazing Canadian educator and politician, best known as the first Black woman elected to Canada’s House of Commons (1993–2006). She later served as Minister of State for Multiculturalism and Status of Women and as Ontario’s first Fairness Commissioner (2007–2015). Dr. Augustine is widely celebrated for championing the motion that officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada.
- Alvin Curling, distinguished Canadian politician and diplomat, who served in several senior public roles, including as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (2003–2005) — the first Black person to hold this position in the province.
Together, our panelists will reflect on legacy, leadership, and the responsibility we share to ensure that the brilliance of past generations continues to illuminate pathways for those to come.
At Tropicana Community Services, Black History Month is not confined to one month — it is a living commitment to equity, inclusion, and community empowerment that guides our work every day.
“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.”— Martin Luther King Jr.
Honouring legacy. Celebrating brilliance. Building the future — together.
