Black History Month

Black History should be recognized 365 days a year and not limited to a single month.

Black History acknowledgement is also a time for all people in Canada to reflect and educate ourselves on the history of Black enslavement and the ongoing discrimination and criminalization of people of African descent, and to remember that anti-Black racism still exists.

Every year CUPE honours a Black ancestor, or someone who is making history today. This year we’re honouring Marjorie Villefranche, Executive Director of Maison d’Haïti in Montreal.

Marjorie has spent more than 40 years empowering immigrants to fully participate in their community. She has made her mark as a feminist, anti-racist activist fighting discrimination and all forms of exclusion.

Canadian society has seen progress over the decades, but people of African descent in Canada still experience differential treatment. Black, racialized and Indigenous community members are far more likely to be the hardest hit by the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic deprivation. This, combined with the ongoing crisis of over-policing, has shone a spotlight on how much remains to be done.

CUPE’s Anti-Racism Strategy identifies actions to challenge systemic racism in our workplaces, union and communities. It acknowledges that our union and locals must work towards meaningful change for Black, Indigenous and racialized members, including those with intersecting identities.

Our union is committed to fighting racism and hatred in all forms. We encourage members not to be neutral when witnessing racism in any form. Instead, commit to not looking the other way and stand up for what is right. Here are some ways to increase awareness, understand and create change:

Learn

• Order free copies of CUPE’s 2025 Black History Month poster and bookmark honouring Marjorie Villefranche.
• The National Racial Justice Committee invites Black CUPE members to join them in celebrating Black History 365 days of the year by expressing pride in being Black with CUPE’s “Unapologetically Black” button and sticker.
• Ask Black people in the union, workplace and community what they need in terms of support and follow the leadership of those impacted by anti-Black racism
• Request CUPE Union Education workshops on Challenging Racism, Intro to Human Rights and Anti-Oppression.

Act

• Check out these ideas to help put CUPE’s Anti-Racism Strategy into action.
• Celebrate and promote Black History in your local.
• Take anti-Black racism complaints through the entire grievance process.
• Recognize workplace racial trauma as a health and safety issue from a psychosocial perspective.
• Help Maison d’Haïti continue their mission by making a donation.

Bargain

• Bargain employment equity language to help ensure your workplace represents the diversity of your community.
• Ensure there is a Black equity representative on your bargaining committee.
• Bargain access to benefits and pension entitlements for precarious workers as well as language that requires the employer to convert part-time positions to full-time, permanent positions.

Order materials