Black History Month proclaimed in the City of Toronto

Residents are encouraged to participate in the many events that City divisions and agencies have planned throughout the month, in addition to dozens of community-based programming and events. There are even many online exhibits to celebrate Toronto's black history.The Black History Month schedule at the Toronto Public Library is packed with fun and thought-provoking events such as this evening's kickoff event, #BlackLivesMatter, which promises a candid discussion on the achievements and challenges in Toronto’s black communities. Starting at 7 p.m. at the Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St., more information about this event can be found at http://ow.ly/By8L308vE4a.There will also be lectures on Canada’s hip hop music scene, jazz and poetry celebrating the late Austin Clarke, cutting-edge sounds from Toronto Mass Choir, dance and art exhibits and films for the whole family. Complete event details are available at http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/blackhistory.Parks, Forestry and Recreation programming and events for adults and children will take place at many community centres throughout the city and will include art and poster displays, movie nights, black history presentations and more.Mackenzie House, operated by Museums and Heritage Services, is presenting Black History Month exhibits on weekends in February. 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 1850s' print shop. The souvenir is included with regular admission. Admission prices, hours of operation and more can be found at http://ow.ly/bFF2308vFLC.Toronto Archives invites members of the public to visit its online exhibits entitled Black History Month in Toronto and Donald Moore: Caribbean Connection: One Man's Crusade, available at http://ow.ly/jloj308vEQz. Follow Toronto Archives on Twitter @torontoarchives to see images celebrating the history of African-Canadians in the City.A special highlight will be the unveiling of an artifacts display significant to Toronto’s black history in the City Hall rotunda later in February.A detailed list of City-related exhibitions, educational displays and community-based programming is available at http://ow.ly/WSU7308vF7y.