A Black History Month Legacy Event
Changing the Narrative is a community-driven initiative that acknowledges, celebrates, and critically engages with Black experiences in Canada beyond the confines of Black History Month. The event creates intentional space for economic empowerment, youth engagement, and courageous dialogue—centering Black voices, lived realities, and community-driven solutions.
Rather than confining Black history and contributions to a single month, Changing the Narrative affirms that Black lives, stories, and achievements merit sustained recognition, investment, and care throughout the year.
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Event Objectives
• Amplify and economically support Black-owned businesses in Montreal
• Empower Black youth with tools to navigate, resist, and prevent cyber anti-bullying
• Facilitate intentional, solution-oriented dialogue addressing lateral violence within Black communities
• Foster cross-community understanding and the humanization of Black experiences in Canada
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Event Programming
1. Black Vendor Market
Audience: Open to the broader Montreal community
The Black Vendor Market will showcase Black-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, creatives, and service providers from across Montreal. This space is designed to:
• Increase visibility and access to Black-owned enterprises
• Encourage direct community investment in Black entrepreneurship
• Create meaningful connections between vendors and attendees
Participating vendors may include, but are not limited to, artisans, wellness practitioners, fashion brands, authors, food producers, tech services, and community organizations.
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2. Youth Engagement & Cyber Anti-Bullying Workshops
Audience: Youth and young people
This interactive segment centers the safety, empowerment, and voices of Black youth. Programming will include:
• Hands-on workshops focused on cyber anti-bullying, digital safety, and online identity
• Guided discussions on navigating social media, peer dynamics, and online harassment
• Giveaways and incentives to encourage participation and engagement
The objective is to equip youth with practical tools, confidence, and community support to address and prevent cyber violence while affirming their self-worth and humanity.
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3. Panel Discussion: Addressing Lateral Violence in Black Communities
Audience: Community members, educators, professionals, students, and allies
This moderated panel will bring together Black activists, academics, and professionals for a proactive and intentional discussion on lateral violence within Black communities.
The conversation will move beyond identifying harm to:
• Examine root causes, including colonialism, systemic racism, and internalized oppression
• Center accountability, healing, and collective responsibility
• Share tangible strategies and community-based solutions
• Reaffirm the importance of humanizing Black people in all spaces
This segment is designed to inspire reflection, dialogue, and meaningful action—both individually and collectively.
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Who Should Attend
• Black community members of all ages
• Youth, parents, and educators
• Community leaders, organizers, and professionals
• Allies committed to learning, listening, and supporting Black communities
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Closing Vision
Changing the Narrative is not a one-day conversation—it is a call to sustained engagement, accountability, and collective care. By integrating economic empowerment, youth-focused programming, and critical dialogue, this event reinforces that Black experiences in Canada are diverse, ongoing, and deserving of dignity well beyond Black History Month
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