Black History Month 2024

In the context of British Columbia’s amateur sport scene, we witness inspiring and incredible Black Canadian athletes, coaches, and volunteers. It is important for us at viaSport to create a more inclusive sport culture in BC. Recognizing Black people’s significant cultural impact and contribution to Canadian sport through sharing stories is one way we do so. It is also vital to reflect on the disproportionate injustices the Black community continues to face due to discrimination and social inequities.

Black History Month in Canada is observed annually in February. This year’s theme is Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build. This month, we will amplify some voices of Black Canadian sport members, honour their sport experiences, and share resources to help everyone further advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in sport throughout the year.

Join the conversation and show your support by amplifying our #BlackHistoryMonth campaign on our social media channels.

Sport Community Story

Dehara September

Resources

Educational

• Government of Canada: About Black History Month

Organizations

• BC Black History Awareness Society

Readings

• How to be An Anti-Racist (Ibram X. Kendi)
• So You Want to Talk About Race (Ijeoma Oluo)
• The Skin We’re In (Desmond Cole)
• White Fragility (Robin DiAngelo)
• Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? (Beverly Daniel Tatum)

Source

Film and Television

• 13th (Netflix)
• Dear White People (Netflix)
• The Hate You Give (Amazon Prime)
• When They See Us (Netflix)

Source

Sport Related Resources

• Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network: programs and initiatives for BIPOC individuals who are pursuing a career in amateur sport
• SIRC: Engaging Black Community Coaches: a summary of a webinar that educates folks about engaging girls and women in sport
• SIRC: Mentoring Black women coaches: Developing confidence through relationships and learning: a blog that emphasizes the importance of building knowledge and nurturing confidence for Black women coaches.
• Canadian Women & Sport: The Sporting Experience of BIPOC Women & Girls in Canada: an infographic and webinar to help individuals understand the lived experience of Canadian women and girls that are from BIPOC communities

Relevant Grants

• BC Sport Participation Program: Provincial Sport Development Fund: The BCSPP supports programs that attract children, youth, Indigenous and under-represented populations to lead active and healthy lifestyles through involvement in sport while also helping to support communities delivering physical activity programming throughout the province. Expected opening date: April/May 2024.
• BC Sport Participation Program: Community Sport Development Fund: This grant makes community sport more accessible to people of all abilities by providing funding to sport programs where low sport participation exists. Expected opening date: April/May 2024.
• Bob Bearpark Coaching Bursary: this bursary aims to uplift coaches who identify as Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, BIPOC, female, a person with a disability, or a coach of athletes with a disability. Expected opening date: September 2024.