City of Toronto to Celebrate Black History Month

City divisions and agencies have scheduled programming throughout the month, both at public centres as well as online, in addition to the many private events that will take place across Toronto.Mayor Tory has already announced his Black History Creative Writing Contest. In 500 words or less, in any written format, young people ages 11-17 are invited to share a story about black Torontonians, past or present, who have contributed to Toronto’s diverse heritage and identity. More information about the contest is available at http://ow.ly/XBQFp.The Toronto Reference Library will host a special Black History Month Kickoff Gala on January 29 hosted by CTV's Marci Ien, as well as an appearance by 2015 Booker Prize winner and celebrated Jamaican author Marlon James on February 18. Other highlights of this year's library programming are the National Film Board Mini-Film Festival, The eh List Author Series, and a panel discussion entitled, Before the 6ix. More details and events are available at http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/blackhistory.A number of community centres throughout the city, as part of Parks, Forestry and Recreation programming, will host events for adults and children. The Nelson Mandela Tribute takes place at McGregor Park Community Centre, North Kipling Youth Present: Know Your Roots - A Celebration of Black History is back for another year, and Lawrence Heights will host a Black History Celebration. There are also movie nights, a Poetry/Spoken Word Reading and One Love (a Black History Month workshop for kids) planned.Heritage Toronto will present Mackenzie House Celebrates Black History Month. Every weekend in February, plus Family Day Monday, members of the public are invited to learn more about Black Victorians of Toronto, featuring those who published newspapers during that era. Visitors can take a piece of this important history home when they print a souvenir copy of Mary Ann Shadd Cary's newspaper, The Provincial Freeman, in the re-created 1850's printshop. The souvenir is included with regular admission.The Toronto Archives invite members of the public to visit their online exhibits entitled Black History Month in Toronto and Donald Moore: Caribbean Connection: One Man's Crusade.A listing of City-related exhibitions, educational displays and community-based programming is available at http://ow.ly/XBRpx.To learn about Toronto parks and places named after great African Canadians visit http://bit.ly/1JLJQ7K