CLOSURE NOTICE: All WPL locations will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 20 for a Staff Development Day. To learn more, click here.

Celebrating Black History Month 2025

Jan 29, 2025 - Waterloo Public Library
Read / Watch List
Special Day or Month of Significance

In February, we celebrate Black History Month and recognize the outstanding contributions made by the Black community in Waterloo Region, in Canada and beyond.

Black History Month is an opportunity to learn, reflect and appreciate the achievements and legacy of Black Canadians. Learn more about Black History Month in Canada here.

Join in the celebration and discover events, reading lists, resources and more below.

Adult/Teen Books

Hush Harbor
Anise Vance
Making History: Visual Arts & Blackness in Canada
Edited by Julie Crooks, Dominique Fontaine & Silvia Forni
Perfect Little Angels: Stories
Vincent Anioke
Clara at the Door with a Revolver: The Scandalous Black Suspect, the Exemplary White Son, and the Murder that Shocked Toronto
Carolyn Whitzman
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde
Tia Williams
The Talk
Darrin Bell
In the Upper Country
Kai Thomas
The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley: A Poet's Journeys Through American Slavery and Independence
David Waldstreicher
The Letters: Postmark Prejudice in Black and White
Sheila White
But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?: An Oral History of the '60s Girl Groups
Hachette Books
There's Always This Year
Hanif Abdurraqib
Black Girl You Are Atlas
Renée Watson
Let Us Descend
Jesmyn Ward
The Road is Good: How a Mother's Strength Became a Daughter's Purpose
Uzo Aduba
Black Shield Maiden
Willow Smith & Jess Hendel
Ordinary Notes
Christina Elizabeth Sharpe
So Let Them Burn
Kamilah Cole
Invisible Beauty
DVD
It Ends With Knight
Yasmin Angoe
Black Friend: Essays
Ziwe

Kids Books

Black Girl, Black Girl, Celebrate the Power of You
Ali Kamanda
Kin: Rooted in Hope
Carole Boston Weatherford
African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History
Tracy Baptiste
Crowning Glory: A Celebration of Black Hair
Carole Boston Weatherford
Young, Gifted and Black, Too: Meet 52 More Black Icons From Past and Present
Jamia Wilson
The Kids Book of Black History in Canada
Rosemary Sadlier
Welcome to the Cypher
Khodi Dill
Call and Response: The Story of Black Lives Matter
Veronica Chambers
Onyx & Beyond
Amber McBride
On This Day in Black History: A Kid’s Day-By-Day Guide to Significant Events
Farley Christin
Before the Ships: The Birth of Black Excellence
Maisha Oso
The ABCs of Black History
Rio Cortez
Dear Black Girls
Shanice Nicole
Trailblazers: The Black Pioneers who have Shaped Canada
Tiyahna Ridley-Padmore
We Are Here
Tami Charles
Mr. Smarty Pants: Aww nuts! (A STEM Graphic Novel)
Charity Reid
Ways to Build Dreams
Renee Watson
I Colour Myself Different
Colin Kaepernick
A History of Me
Adrea Theodore
Homegrown
DeAnn Wiley

Programs & Events
Cultures and Communities

Black History Month Art Workshop

February 2nd: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Main Library
Age Group: Kids
Registration required

About the Program

Alma Thomas (1891–1978) was a trailblazing artist who overcame the harsh realities of racism, segregation, and prejudice to achieve remarkable success. As a Black woman in her time, she broke barriers with her vibrant, colorful abstract art that reflected her radiant creative spirit.

Learn more
Music

Music Appreciation for Black History Month

February 25th: 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM
John M. Harper Branch
Age Group: Tweens
Registration required

About the Program

Celebrate Black History Month through the power of music! Explore and reflect on the art of Black musicians from Africa and across the diaspora, discovering the stories their music tells and the impact of their voices. This program invites tweens to listen, learn, and share what makes Black music so meaningful and inspiring.

Learn more

Learning Resources

KW Caribbean Association Local History Collection blog card image

Local History Collection: KW Caribbean Canadian Cultural Association

Discover our Local History collection featuring the KW Caribbean Canadian Cultural Association's photos, flyers and other documents, spanning from 1975 to 2015.

Explore the Collection
CBC Gem Black Stories collection blog card image

CBC Gem: Black Stories Collection

Watch the Black Stories Collection of movies, documentaries and television series on CBC Gem.

Films & Series
Kanopy

Kanopy: Black History Month Films

Stream films by Black filmmakers and about the Black experience with Kanopy.

Film List
Kanopy Kids - Diversity & Equality for Kids blog card image

Kanopy Kids: Diversity & Equality for Kids Collection

Explore movies, tv shows and read-along storybooks to help teach kids about Black History.

Explore the Collection
eBooks & eAudiobooks with Libby for Black History Month

eBooks & eAudiobooks with downloadLibrary & Libby

Find a selection of eBooks and eAudiobooks celebrating Black Voices from downloadLibrary and the Libby app.

eReading
Anansi and Di Snowstorm Performance with Ujima: Black History Month & Beyond @UW

Anansi and Di Snowstorm Performance

Featuring an original story by Dr. Clive Forrester from the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of Waterloo and performance by Letna Allen-Rowe aka "Miss Letna".

Video Playlist

Community Events & Resources

  • African Women Alliance of Waterloo Region

    The African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region is a non-profit community organization founded in 1995. Their mission is to promote African culture and heritage to members of the African community and the general populace in Waterloo Region through educational and social activities.

    Learn more here.

  • Bring on the Sunshine

    Established in 2010, Bring On The Sunshine (BOTS) responded to anti-Black racism, aiming to unite and support individuals of African descent in Canada. The organization focuses on empowering the African, Black, and Caribbean communities in Waterloo Region, especially youth and new immigrants.

  • Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region

    The Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region (CCAWR) is a non-profit organization serving Waterloo Region’s Caribbean community. Organized in 1975, they are committed to strengthening and enhancing the quality of life of families and individuals by providing culturally sensitive programs, support, resources, education and training.

    CCAWR Black History Month 2025 Launch: Legacy and Triumph
    Date: Sunday, February 2
    Time: 12-5 pm
    Location: Federation Hall, University of Waterloo
    Learn more here.

    This year, the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region (CCAWR) is celebrating its 50th anniversary! Watch a special video tribute by DIRECTEDBYKP on YouTube.

  • Guelph Black Heritage Society

    The Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS) was founded to preserve the historical significance of the The Guelph BME (British Methodist Episcopal) Church at 83 Essex Street in Guelph, which was built by formerly enslaved Black individuals and their descendants who arrived in the area via the Underground Railroad.

    Learn more about their Black History Month events here.

  • Kitchener Public Library

    Check out the Kitchener Public Library’s Black History Month programs and events, including guest speakers and more.

  • Ontario Black History Society

    Founded in 1978, the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS), is at the forefront in the celebration of Black history and heritage with a demonstrated record in the study, preservation and promotion of Black history in Ontario.

  • Ontario Heritage Trust

    The Ontario Heritage Trust offers a variety of resources to learn more about Black Heritage in Ontario. Discover the collection here.

  • Rhythm & Blues Cambridge

    Rhythm & Blues Cambridge is a hub for community and engagement that supports and showcases the Black community in Cambridge. It promotes and appreciates the Black experience by building partnerships, sharing and develop vital resources for our community.

    Find details about their Black History Month events here.

  • Stroll Guided Walking Tours

    Stroll Walking Tours offer curated private walking tours on a variety of subjects. Learn more about the Black Presence in Berlin tour, which takes place in Downtown Kitchener. Please note that these are paid tours.

  • University of Waterloo

    The University of Waterloo celebrates the diversity of people of African descent in Canada and their importance to the history and prosperity of this country; discover events, the Black history of UW, stories and more on their Black History Month page.

  • Wilfrid Laurier University

    Throughout Black History Month and the rest of the year, Wilfrid Laurier University invites you to learn about their inspiring Black student leaders, exceptional faculty and staff members and their impactful alumni through the stories, events and learning opportunities featured.

    Discover stories, resources, events and more here.

Waterloo Public Library

WPL’s Check It Out blog is your go-to destination for all things literary, curated with care by your trusted library staff. With insightful book reviews, reading suggestions, helpful resources and more, we’re here to inspire and guide you on your journey through all that the library has to offer.

Keep Reading

From Star Trek to Cyberpunk: Dive into Sci-Fi at Our Next Book Chat

Nov 11, 2025 - Waterloo Public Library

Climate Action Week: November 1-7, 2025

Oct 29, 2025 - Waterloo Public Library

Witches, Racing, and Rebellion: Brooms Tells a Story of Magic, Friendship, and Hope

Oct 29, 2025 - Allie L.

A Time to Remember: Reflections for Remembrance Day

Oct 28, 2025 - Waterloo Public Library

Hindu Heritage Month: November 2025

Oct 28, 2025 - Waterloo Public Library

The Importance of Media Literacy Today

Oct 26, 2025 - Waterloo Public Library
View All Posts