Black History Month Begins In Canada.

Ottawa; February 2026: The Canadian Prime Minister Carney has addressed the nation on the commemoration of Black History Month honouring the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities. The Prime Minister in his address to the nation has said,

““Today marks the beginning of the 30th Black History Month in Canada, under the theme ‘Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations; From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries’. This is a time to honour the enduring culture and resilience of Black Canadians.

Black Canadians have played a vital role in building this nation, leading global companies that drive investment into Canada and creating dynamic local businesses and institutions that build strong communities. Canada’s new government is committed to removing barriers that prevent Black Canadians from starting businesses. To that end, in October 2025, we provided $189 million to renew the Black Entrepreneurship Program – ensuring continued access to capital, resources, and mentorship so Black-owned businesses can start, scale, and create well-paying new careers. Since its launch, the program has supported more than 24,000 Black entrepreneurs, helping drive innovation and economic growth across Canada.

While we advance economic inclusion, we are also building stronger communities by removing barriers to care. Canada’s new government is supporting community-based, Black-led initiatives that support the mental health and well-being of Black Canadians.

Building Canada strong means ensuring everyone can contribute to and share in our country’s success. This Black History Month, we affirm our responsibility to back words with action, deliver opportunity, and build a country where racism has no place. Together, we are building a fairer and more just country one that empowers Black Canadians to shape its future””.

The 2026 theme for Black History Month is: “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations; From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries”. This theme celebrates three decades of Black History Month in Canada by highlighting the enduring contributions of Black Canadians across time. It acknowledges the foundational role of nation builders, those who fought for civil rights, advanced social justice, and shaped Canada’s cultural and political landscape. At the same time, it looks forward to tomorrow’s visionaries, the emerging leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are redefining excellence in every field.

By framing the theme around “Black Brilliance Across Generations”, we emphasise continuity, resilience, and progress. It invites reflection on historical achievements while inspiring future possibilities, reinforcing that Black history is not only about the past but also about shaping Canada’s future. This approach fosters intergenerational dialogue, strengthens community pride, and aligns with the broader goal of equity and inclusion.

The theme also resonates with the milestone of 30 years, making it a moment to honour legacy, celebrate present contributions, and empower the next generation, a narrative that is both commemorative and forward-looking.

$189 million funded Black Entrepreneurship Program –

The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) is an initiative developed with the Black business commune to help address systemic barriers faced by Black business owners and entrepreneurs. Through its three components, BEP provides targeted support to Black business owners and entrepreneurs to help improve access to capital and business support services (such as training, advisory services, mentoring and networking) and seeks to improve the quality and availability of data on Black entrepreneurship in Canada.

BEP was extended with an investment of $189 million over five years, as laid out in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement. The components of the programme are:

• Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund: provides loans of up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country to start, grow and maintain their businesses. The Loan Fund is administered by the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE), in partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada.

• Ecosystem Fund: Delivered by the regional development agencies, the Ecosystem Fund supports not-for-profit Black led business organizations across the country in their capacity to provide support services such as mentorship, financial planning and business training for Black entrepreneurs.

• Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub: conducts research on Black entrepreneurship in Canada to help identify barriers to success and opportunities for growth for Black business owners and entrepreneurs. The Knowledge Hub is led by Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business and the Dream Legacy Foundation.

Improving mental health of Black Canadians –

On 22nd October 2026, the Canadian Government had sanctioned a sum of $2.8 million to support 26 recipients through the Promoting Health Equity: Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund. All of the projects receiving funding are Black-led, community-based initiatives that promote mental health and well-being in Black communities.

This funding is intended to support community-based culture-focused projects aiming to increase equity in health and address the underlying determinants of mental health, including anti-Black racism.

The Government of Canada is steadfast committed in removing the barriers while helping in increasing the resources needed to create environments conducive to improving the mental health of Black Canadians by supporting community-based projects that address health and social inequalities.

Team Maverick.