EDUCATION
The Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) is a non-profit organization in Toronto, established in 1978 to preserve and promote the contributions of Black peoples in Ontario, and Canada at large. The Society provides research materials for professional development, as well as exhibits and Black History Speaker presentations to schools, organizations and libraries to promote the understanding of Black heritage in Ontario
The Society records and preserves oral history through taped interviews and contemporary profiles of living members of the community as well as profiles of historical figures who had played instrumental roles in shaping the history of Ontario over the last 200 years.
See also Your Story and Contemporary Profiles
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2025 Canada Post Black History Stamp Marie-Joseph Angélique — Canada Post issued a stamp honouring her for Black History Month on January 30, 2025. Learn more about Marie-Joseph Angélique from this video by Canada Post. Photo courtesy of Canada Post. |
In 2025, the Royal Canadian Mint released a Commemorating Black History – Hogan’s Alley silver coin (1 oz fine silver, $20 face value, sells for $149.95 CAD). Instead of featuring a single Black individual, this coin honours Hogan’s Alley, Learn more about Hogan’s Alley from this video by the Royal Canadian Mint. |
Viola Desmond is featured on the Canadian $10 bill, which has been in circulation since 2018. There is also a $10 coin. Learn more about the Viola Desmond bank notes from this video by the Canadian Mint. |
TIP – WRITING HISTORICAL PROFILES
A blank page is daunting: author Jodi Picoult, said, “you can’t edit a blank page.” So, when writing profiles just start. Organize your research notes, ideas, and sources. Consider spreadsheets, Kanban boards, or Asana or go old school with cue cards or a notebook.
Choose your sources carefully. Is the source peer reviewed? Verify information against a few sources. Document your resources. Many Canadian universities have Black Studies’ departments. It might be worth reaching out to them. Some good sources include interviews, The Canadian Encyclopedia, autobiographies, librarians, and archives.
Arrange your findings into different categories and subject headings to show who the profile was their accomplishments/contributions
Take time to absorb your research. Have you come up with more questions, ideas for other profiles and sources. Log them. Academic style manuals are a great help.
This is story telling. Ask yourself what is the story? A topic is not a story. Why is this story important? Have you covered the who, what, when, why and where (the five W’s)?
While it’s good to organize your notes in chronological order, that might not be the starting point what is the hook? Focus on the characteristics that made the person you are writing about unique. E.g. Was the subject the first win the Victoria Cross. Did they surmount obstacles to achieve something great.
Edit and revise. Step away from your writing for a while, ask for help, edit and revise again.
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