Black History Month 2025 Events in London, Ontario

Black History Month is a time to honor, celebrate, and reflect on the rich contributions of Black communities to history, culture, and society. Throughout February, London, Ontario, will host a series of engaging events and activities highlighting Black excellence, resilience, and heritage. CRHESI is pleased to share these opportunities with our members. While these events are not organized by CRHESI, we encourage our community to participate, learn, and support the initiatives taking place in our city.

Upcoming Events and Activities

Building Capacity & Resilience in Black-led Organizations

Date: February 12, 2025
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Venue: Innovation Works – CommUNITY Living Room
Details: The “Building Capacity & Resilience in Black-led Organizations” event focuses on strengthening Black-led and Black-serving organizations by providing tools for long-term sustainability. Through insightful discussions, participants will explore strategies for enhancing organizational infrastructure, securing funding, and fostering leadership development. Expert panelists will share knowledge on governance excellence, volunteer engagement, and community impact. The event creates a space for meaningful conversations and collaboration among leaders, advocates, and supporters of Black communities. By addressing systemic challenges and opportunities, this initiative aims to empower organizations to thrive and drive lasting change.
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Black History Month Family Celebration

Date: February 08, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 01:00 PM
Venue: Central Library, London, ON
Details: Celebrate the richness of Black history and culture at the London Public Library’s annual Family Celebration Event. This event offers fun games, creative crafts, and interactive workshops suitable for all ages. Attendees will enjoy performances by local artists, including music, dance, and storytelling. The event is presented in collaboration with the London Black Heritage Council, the City of London, and the London Children’s Museum. All are welcome to join in this vibrant celebration
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BLACK HISTORY SLAM 2025

Date: February 13, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Venue: Museum London
Details: The Black History Slam returns for its second annual event, celebrating Black History Month under the theme “Roots and Rhythm: Celebrating Black Legacy in London.” Attendees will experience spoken word performances by four talented poets, including headliner Eddie Lartey, and soulful musical renditions by artist Tiffany Chantelle. The evening also features an engaging panel discussion with local creatives. Between performances, guests are invited to tour “Ukutula: Our Timeless Journeys,” an expansive group exhibition celebrating African dance and music, showcasing the work of five contemporary artists from the African and Asian diasporas. This event is free and open to all, but space is limited, so registration is required.
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Essence & Culture Awards 2025

Date: February 17, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM
Venue: Wolf Performance Hall – London, Public Library
Details: A prestigious awards ceremony recognizing Black excellence in business, arts, education, and community service. The event includes a formal dinner, live entertainment, and keynote speakers.
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Lewis Coray Trailblazer Award

Date: February 19, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Venue: RBC Place, 300 York St, London  
Details: The Lewis Coray Trailblazer Award is an initiative by the London Police Service to honor outstanding youth from African, Caribbean, and Black communities. This award recognizes young individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, community involvement, and a commitment to positive change. By celebrating these trailblazers, the program aims to inspire other young people to engage actively in their communities and pursue leadership roles. The award ceremony is a highlight of the London Police Service’s diversity events, reflecting their dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. For more information about the award and the nomination process, please visit the London Police Service’s official website
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Black History Month 2025 Closing Ceremony

Date: February 22, 2025
Time: 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Venue: Wolf Performance Hall, London, Public Library
Details: The Black History Month 2025 Closing Ceremony is a significant event honoring the achievements and contributions of the Black community in London, Ontario. The ceremony will feature the Black Community Achievement Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations that have made impactful contributions to the community. Attendees can expect a program that includes inspiring speeches, cultural performances, and opportunities to reflect on the month’s celebrations. This event serves as a culmination of Black History Month activities, celebrating the rich heritage and ongoing contributions of Black Canadians. Admission is free, but registration is required. For more details and to register, please visit the event page.
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Black Heritage: Our Past, Our Present, Our Future

Date: February 26, 2025
Time: 5 PM
Venue: Great Hall at Huron University
Details: The Canadian Club of London, in partnership with the London Black Heritage Council, is hosting a special panel discussion on February 26, 2025, to explore Black history and heritage. This event will feature insights from Charles Innis, a community developer, Christina Lord, an educator, and Tarik Kifle, a graduation coach. The discussion will highlight the importance of preserving and celebrating Black history while addressing contemporary challenges and achievements. It aims to foster meaningful dialogue and awareness about Black heritage in London, Ontario. This event is part of the club’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and education through community engagement.
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The Ebony Ball

Date: February 28, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Details: A glamorous evening celebrating Black culture, fashion, and music. The event includes live performances, a dance floor, and a celebration of Black excellence and heritage.
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London Symphonia’s “Life and Troubled Times of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor” Concert

Date: February 23, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Metropolitan United Church
Details: London Symphonia will present “The Life and Troubled Times of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor” at Metropolitan United Church in London, Ontario. This concert, narrated by poet and actor Roy Lewis, will explore the remarkable story of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, a mixed-race composer celebrated as a musical genius at the turn of the 20th century. The program includes Coleridge-Taylor’s Nonet and “Deep River” from his 24 Negro Melodies, as well as works by Kris Bowers, Florence Price, Antonín Dvořák, and Franz Schubert. Tickets are available for purchase, and for those unable to attend in person, a Video On Demand option is offered. For more details and to secure tickets, please visit the event page.
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THE LONDON Black Health + Wellness FAIR

Date: March 29, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Venue: North London Optimist Centre (1345 Cheapside St., London)
Details: The London Black Health + Wellness Fair is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Black individuals and communities. This event will bring together key partners from healthcare organizations, community groups, and local agencies to address health disparities through culturally sensitive healthcare programs and community support. Attendees will have access to expert-led discussions on critical health topics, connect with vendors offering health-related services, and participate in activities for all ages. A special focus will be given to Black seniors and children’s mental health, with proceeds supporting the development of the Children’s Black Mental Health Hub through the W.E.A.N. Community Centre. This fair is a vital step toward building a healthier and more empowered Black community in London.

We encourage our community to participate in these important events, learn from inspiring speakers, and celebrate Black history, culture, and achievements throughout February and beyond.

Join the Board of Directors at Grounded Roots, Open Wings (GROW)!

Grounded Roots, Open Wings (GROW) is seeking two dedicated and passionate individuals to join its Board of Directors for a three-year term. GROW provides comprehensive pre- and postnatal care to individuals in the community who do not have a family doctor, as well as wrap-around support for those facing socioeconomic and psychosocial challenges.

Role & Responsibilities

Board members play a crucial role in providing governance, financial, and strategic oversight to help advance GROW’s mission. The Board meets once a month, with a combination of in-person and virtual meetings.

Who Should Apply?

Candidates with strong leadership and strategic skills who align with GROW’s mission and can effectively communicate its vision are encouraged to apply. This year, specific skills of interest include:
Experience in fundraising and development
Governance experience
Coordination of volunteers

Commitment to Diversity

GROW is committed to broadening the diversity of its Board of Directors and encourages applications from individuals with a variety of lived experiences.

How to Apply

Expressions of interest, including resumes and any questions, can be sent to growboardofdirectors@prismahcc.ca for consideration by March 31, 2025.

This is an opportunity to contribute to equitable access to prenatal and postnatal care and support individuals in need. Those with relevant skills and experience are encouraged to apply.

AI in Healthcare: Advancing Medicine or Reinforcing Inequities?

Written by Mina Yu, CRHESI Student Collective, Community Engaged Learning placement, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Western University

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has undoubtedly transformed healthcare. Its applications—from improving diagnostic accuracy and resource allocation to streamlining workflows—promise to revolutionize patient care. AI’s potential to reduce human error, anticipate healthcare needs, and optimize management of chronic diseases paints an optimistic picture of timely, equitable healthcare. However, beneath its transformative capabilities lies a critical challenge: algorithmic bias.

https://news.fullerton.edu/app/uploads/2021/12/AI-Diversity.jpg

AI, lauded for its potential to minimize human biases and inconsistencies, often inherits the same inequities embedded in healthcare systems. When trained on homogeneous datasets or data that over-represent privileged groups, AI systems perpetuate existing biases, undermining efforts to address systemic disparities. For instance, a review by Celi et al. (2022) revealed that most clinical AI models are built on datasets from middle- and high-income countries, especially the U.S. and China. When the relationships within data sources used to train AI models differ from those in the populations where these models are deployed, the resulting outputs are often inaccurate. This mismatch restricts the effectiveness of AI systems, particularly in underserved and underrepresented communities, including but not limited to those in lower-income countries. Consequently, AI-driven interventions are systematically misaligned with the needs of these individuals and groups, resulting in inappropriate or inaccessible care. Rather than reducing disparities, this failure to provide suitable care exacerbates existing inequities.

One striking example involves an AI algorithm used by insurance companies to predict healthcare needs. A 2021 study (NIHCM Foundation) found that while Black patients were significantly sicker than their white counterparts, both groups were assigned similar risk scores. This bias stemmed from the algorithm’s reliance on past healthcare expenditures—a metric influenced by systemic inequities in access and treatment. Because Black patients, for structural and systemic reasons, typically receive less care despite generally experiencing worse health outcomes, their needs are inaccurately assessed. This perpetuates a harmful cycle of unmet healthcare needs, declining individual health, and widening disparities in health outcomes between populations.

For Canada, algorithmic bias intersects with the digital divide, disproportionately affecting rural, remote, and Indigenous Peoples, who are more likely that non-Indigenous people to live in remote Northern communities. This highlights gaps in socioeconomic and demographic factors, limiting these groups’ ability to benefit from AI advancements. Researchers like Anawati et al. (2024) emphasize that AI and machine learning literature is only beginning to address the absence of diversity in training data, and the real-world impacts on the health and well-being of groups already facing marginalization.

AI offers incredible promise, but its true potential lies in fostering equity, not reinforcing disparity. To bridge these gaps, recalibrating the fundamental assumptions of AI systems is essential. Incorporating diverse datasets from underserved groups and regions can help mitigate bias and extend AI’s benefits to marginalized populations. Ultimately, for AI to truly revolutionize healthcare, its development must be inclusive, addressing not just technical challenges but also the societal inequities that shape healthcare outcomes.

References

Anawati, A., Fleming, H., Mertz, M., Bertrand, J., Dumond, J., Myles, S., et al. (2024). Artificial intelligence and social accountability in the Canadian health care landscape: A rapid literature review. PLOS Digit Health, 3(9): e0000597. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000597 

Celi, L.A., Cellini, J., Charpignon, M.L., Dee, E.C., Dernoncourt, F., Eber, R., et al. (2022). Sources of bias in artificial intelligence that perpetuate healthcare disparities—A global review. PLOS Digital Health, 1(3): e0000022.  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000022 

Igoe, K.J. (n.d.). Algorithmic Bias in Health Care Exacerbates Social Inequities — How to Prevent It. Artificial Intelligence and Technology. Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/ecpe/how-to-prevent-algorithmic-bias-in-health-care/     

Johns Hopkins. (2023, May 02). How Health Care Algorithms and AI Can Help and Harm. Retrieved from https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/how-health-care-algorithms-and-ai-can-help-and-harm 

Morales, K. (2022, January 5). Can Artificial Intelligence Help Increase Diversity in STEM? CSUF News. https://news.fullerton.edu/2022/01/can-artificial-intelligence-help-increase-diversity-in-stem/    

NIHCM Foundation. (2021, Sept 30). Racial Bias in Health Care Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence. Retrieved from https://nihcm.org/publications/artificial-intelligences-racial-bias-in-health-care

Panch, T., Mattie, H., Atun, R. (2019). Artificial intelligence and algorithmic bias: implications for health systems. J Glob Health, 9(2):020318. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.09.020318 

Stop ‘Tolerhating’: Fighting Hate Through Passion and Collaboration

Written by Mina Yu, CRHESI Student Collective, Community Engaged Learning placement, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Western University

In 2024, the City of London launched the Stop Tolerhating campaign in collaboration with the Centre for Research on Health Equity and Social Inclusion (CRHESI) and over 60 local organizations. This initiative aims to confront hate, racism, and other forms of discrimination and stigma through City-wide education, collaboration and empowerment activities, fostering a more inclusive and equitable community.

During an interview with Zahra, Project Coordinator for the Anti-Hate Project, Stop Tolerhating, from the Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Division, City of London, involved in the campaign’s development and pilot launch, their passion for this project was obvious. Zahra shared that their personal experiences navigating discrimination inspired them to be a part of this initiative. “There’s so much power in starting something in your own community,” Zahra explained, emphasizing their commitment to making resources and support accessible to those facing hate and its impacts.

Stop Tolerhating general campaign poster, City of London

The campaign employs a multi-pronged approach, blending transformative media strategies, public education, and direct engagement with equity-denied communities. Guided by principles of intersectionality, the campaign is based on the knowledge that individuals often experience discrimination through overlapping identities such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability.

The campaign’s collaborative nature is one of its greatest strengths. It draws insights from equity-denied groups—including Black, Indigenous, Muslim, and LGBTQIA+ communities—through one-on-one conversations, surveys, and guided data-sharing sessions. Zahra described how these conversations revealed unique challenges, such as the lack of resources for Indigenous health in rural areas and the rise of online hate targeting Muslim communities. These insights directly shaped the development of educational content and resources for the campaign, ensuring relevance and impact.

The campaign also addresses broader audiences through its accessible website and social media presence. The website is designed to provide quick, easy access to crisis hotlines, anti-racism education, and tools for fostering anti-racist practices for individuals and organizations in the health, social services, business and educational sectors. Social media platforms amplify these resources and provide posts that inspire reflection by presenting educational content in an approachable way.

This Stop Tolerhating team recognizes the challenges of combating hate, ranging from resistance by individuals who deny the existence or severity of discrimination to those who refuse to change—particularly when they are not directly impacted or perceive advantages in maintaining the status quo. However, Zahra emphasized the importance of grounding the campaign in facts and meaningful engagement. “We’ve received a mix of feedback, but seeing how it resonates with the community makes it worth it.”

As Stop Tolerhating evolves, the campaign will continue adapting to emerging challenges and societal needs, such as the rise of anti-Asian racism post-COVID-19. With this flexibility, the campaign remains dynamic, responsive, and rooted in its mission to build a more inclusive London. The ultimate reward is fostering a city where diversity is celebrated, and hate is no longer tolerated. The passion and leadership of those involved in this project are the driving forces behind this transformative initiative.

Together, CRHESI, the City of London, and their collaborators are proving that tackling hate requires bold strategies, sustained commitment, and the collective voices of a diverse community.

Highlighting Black Excellence: The 4th Annual Gala & Awards

The 4th Annual Black Excellence Gala & Awards, hosted by the W.E.A.N Community Centre, is set to be an inspiring celebration of Black entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community members. This event will honor the outstanding achievements and resilience of Black-owned businesses, showcasing their contributions and success in the face of challenges over the years.

Since its inception, the Black Excellence Gala has partnered with the London Chamber of Commerce, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and support for Black entrepreneurs. The event not only recognizes the accomplishments of Black men and women in business but also includes a category to honor Black 2SLGBTQIA entrepreneurs, reflecting the diversity and inclusivity of the community.

In addition to acknowledging business success, the Gala will highlight humanitarian efforts and present the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing individuals who have made a lasting impact on the community through their dedication and leadership.

The Black Excellence Gala is a significant event that underscores the power, innovation, and perseverance within the Black business community. By honoring these entrepreneurs, the event encourages continued growth and success while inspiring future generations to follow in their footsteps.

For those interested in attending and celebrating Black excellence, more information and tickets are available here.