Black artistic talent was centre stage during a showcase of performances on Feb. 8 when the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora presented .

Watch the video below for highlights from the well-attended event.

The Black History Month celebration spotlights Black cultural and artistic expression through performance, which this year featured:

• 91��ɫ doctoral student with a presentation in drumming and dance;
• Peel District School Board student Marie Pascoe with a spoken word performance;
• a performance by 91��ɫ’s Oscar Peterson jazz ensemble;
• a spoken word performance by Canadian poetry slam champion Dwayne Morgan;
• a performance by 91��ɫ’s R&B ensemble;
• a performance by spoken word artist Ryan Burke;
• a presentation by the Toronto Gospel Choir; and
• a spoken word presentation by 91��ɫ student Ashley Keene.

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Members of the 91��ɫ community are invited to celebrate Black artistic talent during a showcase of performances on Feb. 8 when the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora presents Word, Sound, Power: An Annual Celebration of Black Artistic Expression.

The Black History Month event spotlights Black cultural and artistic expression through performance, which this year includes drumming and dance, spoken word, a jazz ensemble, an R&B ensemble, The Toronto Gospel Choir and more.

An opportunity to highlight Black artists and creativity, the event will be open to the community and is free to attend. It begins at 5:30 p.m. with a welcome reception in the CIBC Lobby, Accolade East Building at the Keele Campus, and performances will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Tribute communities Recital Hall, Accolade East Building.

“As usual, we will be hosting a Black History Month event at which time we will be showcasing and celebrating the talents, artistry and ingenuity of Black university and high school students through their music, poetry, dance and singing. Our annual event recognizes the contributions of Jean Augustine to this national recognition of Black presence in Canada” says Professor Carl James, the Jean Augustine Chair and Senior Advisor on Equity and Representation. 

Featured performances include:

• 91��ɫ doctoral student with a presentation in drumming and dance;
• Peel District School Board student Marie Pascoe with a spoken word performance;
• a performance by 91��ɫ’s Oscar Peterson jazz ensemble;
• a spoken word performance by Canadian poetry slam champion Dwayne Morgan;
• a performance by 91��ɫ’s R&B ensemble;
• a performance by spoken word artist Ryan Burke;
• a presentation by the Toronto Gospel Choir; and
• a spoken word presenation by 91��ɫ student Ashley Keene.

Remarks will be offered by Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to the Parliament of Canada, and champion of the unanimous vote in 1995 that saw February designated as Black History Month; Robert Savage, dean, Faculty of Education; and humanities Professor Andrea Davis, special advisor, Anti-Black Racism Strategy, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. Representation from 91��ɫ’s Division of Equity, People and Culture, along with Christine Maclin of Unifor – a sponsor of the event, will also share remarks.

Word, Sound, Power is co-presented by the Faculty of Education, the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, the Department of Humanities (Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies) and the Division of Equity, People and Culture.

Tickets, which are free, are available .

Article originally published in the February 1, 2023 issue of

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The Jean Augustine Chair�� in Education, Community and Diaspora is proud to announce this year's Black History month showcase. The showcase is an opportunity for the amplification of cultural and artistic expression as we spotlight Black oral narratives and musical expression.

Performances include the 91��ɫ R&B and Oscar Peterson Ensembles, the 91��ɫ Gospel Choir, High School Students to Emcees, Coco Murray, Dwayne Morgan and students from the Toronto District and Peel District School Boards.

This is a free event and all are welcome to attend.��

Event Details:
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. (welcome reception)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (performances)
Tribute Communities Recital Hall (Accolade East Building), 91��ɫ

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