Winnipeg’s Black History Month Celebration Committee (BHMCC), now known as Black History Manitoba (BHM), was established in 1981 by Wade Kojo Williams Sr. (1949-2012). Williams, originally from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, came to Winnipeg in 1975 after serving as a police officer in his homeland. In Winnipeg, he became a prominent activist for the city’s African and Caribbean communities.
The organization was founded to plan and implement activities during Black History Month, observed every February. By 1990, BHM expanded its focus beyond Black History Month, aiming to raise awareness of Black history in Manitoba year-round. This includes celebrating the achievements and contributions of people of African ancestry both within the province and beyond.
Nadia Thompson, the current chairperson and program director of BHM, has been involved with the organization since 2008. Growing up in Winnipeg’s North End as part of a small Black community, Thompson’s early connection to the group came through her parents. However, as years went on, the organization faced challenges in engaging younger generations.
Mavis McLaren, a founding member and a former BHM president, reached out to Thompson for help. “They basically were hoping to have more young people be involved,” Thompson recalled.
Thompson and others began planning activities geared toward youth, eventually leading her to take on the role of secretary and, later, her current position. Today, BHM focuses on engaging the broader Winnipeg community in learning about Black history and its impact on Canadian and global history. One key focus is pushing for Canadian education to shine a greater light on Black history.
“If you look at the current educational curriculum for our school system here in Canada, we don’t talk and we don’t delve into much of Black history, which is a problem,” Thompson said. “There is a very high effective rate of racism and discrimination for those that you don’t know about, and the fact that we are not learning about Black history creates more of a white-washed way of looking at history, because the Black contributions have been overlooked for so long.”
BHM also works to reduce racism by fostering stronger connections between Canada’s diverse communities.
“It’s easier to understand and to eliminate the discrimination from another person that you already know,” Thompson said.
In February 2025, BHM will observe its 44th annual Black History Month celebration. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Connecting Communities — Hearts, Hands, History.”
According to Thompson, the theme comes from the importance of understanding each other’s similarities rather than focusing on differences.
“Communities” recognizes the many communities that make up Manitoba and encouraging the things that connect them. The “hearts” portion comes from a love of the communities. “Hands” symbolizes taking meaningful action and “doing the work.” Finally, “history” symbolizes the importance of remembering the past to change the future.
Black History Month will officially kick off on Jan. 26 with an opening ceremony at New Anointing Christian Fellowship on Manitoba Avenue. The event, free to the public, will feature entertainment, socialization, a guest speaker and a tribute to civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King.
Some of the upcoming events that Thompson highlighted include: the Black History Month Market on Jan. 23, in partnership with two organizations — Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries and Africa Centre, held to support and give a space for Black-owned businesses in Manitoba; the Black Student Union Summit on Jan. 24 to gather Black student unions from Manitoba’s high schools; guest speakers from music and sports avenues; and breakout sessions to discuss various topics.
Events throughout the month include suggestions from public feedback, ensuring programming evolves with the community’s needs.
While February is a focal point, BHM’s efforts extend year-round.
“The event planning and what we do, we are there 365 [days a year],” Thompson said.
In the future, Thompson hopes to see increased recognition of BHM across Manitoba and greater community involvement. She particularly highlighted a desire for changes in school curriculums to learn more about Black history.
“If we can all come together to celebrate and to support each other, that would be our goal,” she said.
Thompson expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from local and federal governments, as well as the community.
“Thank you, to be here for 44 years, that’s the only reason why we are here, because we have the support of so many,” she said.
For more information on Black History Month 2025 and upcoming events, visit bhmwinnipeg.com.
