This February, we celebrate Black History Month 2026 alongside communities across Canada. As we mark 30 years of Black History Month in Canada, this year’s theme – “Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries” – invites reflection on the past and inspiration for the future.

Black history in Canada is not a single story. It is a continuum of leadership, innovation, resistance, creativity, and care – shaped by individuals who challenged barriers in their time and opened doors for those who followed.

Below are five of many Black Canadians whose contributions continue to shape our country in meaningful ways.

Dr. Yvette Bonny: Breaking Barriers in Medicine

Dr. Yvette Bonny’s impact on Canadian healthcare is both groundbreaking and deeply human. A specialist in pediatric hematology, she played a key role in advancing life-saving treatments for children with serious blood disorders, including leukemia. Beyond her clinical achievements, Dr. Bonny also served as a mentor and educator, helping to pave the way for greater representation of Black professionals in medicine and research. Her career reflects the power of excellence paired with purpose.

Bromley Armstrong: A Lifetime of Advocacy

Bromley Armstrong dedicated his life to advancing fairness and dignity for working people and marginalized communities. After immigrating to Canada, he became deeply involved in labour organizing and human rights activism, helping push for stronger protections against discrimination in employment and public life. His leadership extended across decades, proving that sustained, community-focused advocacy can drive lasting change. Armstrong’s work reminds us that equity is built through persistence, collaboration, and care for others.

Elizabeth Cromwell

Elizabeth Cromwell was a dedicated community leader who worked tirelessly to preserve and share the history of Black Loyalists in Nova Scotia. Through her advocacy and leadership, she helped protect important historical sites and played a key role in establishing the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Birchtown. Her work ensured that the stories and contributions of Black Loyalists remain an essential part of Canada’s historical narrative.

James Calbert Best: Leadership in Public Service

James Calbert Best made history through his contributions to Canadian public service and diplomacy. As a senior civil servant, he helped shape policies related to immigration, labour, and social equity, becoming one of the first Black leaders to hold such influential roles within government. Later, his work as a diplomat strengthened Canada’s international relationships. Best’s legacy illustrates how representation at decision-making tables matter and how leadership can help institutions better reflect the communities they serve.

Dr. Lloydetta Quaicoe

Dr. Lloydetta Quaicoe is a community leader and founder of Sharing Our Cultures, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting newcomer youth and promoting inclusion. Since 1999, she has developed programs that help young people build confidence, develop leadership skills, and celebrate cultural diversity while also creating safe spaces to talk about experiences with racism and discrimination. Drawing on her academic research in education and newcomer integration, Dr. Quaicoe’s work continues to foster belonging and opportunity for diverse communities across Canada.

As we reflect on 30 years of Black History Month in Canada, we are reminded that Black brilliance is not confined to the past, it is present in today’s classrooms, workplaces, and communities, and it will shape tomorrow’s innovations and leadership. Learn more about influential Black Canadians and their contributions to Canada at: canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month/black-canadians