See what’s on
Black History is about engagement, education, sharing and celebration. We’re grateful to our community partners for sharing their experience and knowledge, so please check out these resources!
If you want to read more, view our curated booklists:
- Black History Month for Kids
- YA Titles for Black History Month
- Non-fiction for Black History Month
- Fiction for Black History Month
- Anti-Racist Readings for Adults: A Black Lives Matter Primer
- Anti-Racist Readings For Children: A Black Lives Matter Primer
If you looking for film, view the curated collection from Kanopy
Proclamation: Black History Month
Mayor L. Dollin on behalf of the Town of Innisfil proclaimed the month of February as Black History Month at the January 12th Council meeting.

Missed the Crafting for Humanity: Rise! Watch Party?
In honour of Black History Month we showed the documentary Rise!
Rise! examines the long road to civil rights, when the deep contradictions in American society finally became unsustainable. https://www.kanopy.com/product/rise/
Watch now, all you need is your Library card.
What’s Cooking Innisfil: Spotlight on the Caribbean
Join Roxann Whittingham, owner of Ms Hotty Hotty Jerk Marinade for a virtual cooking class as she puts her heart and soul into cooking classic Caribbean food.
HackLAB: Learn at Home Kit
Tinkershops are a great way to get acquainted with the Library’s hackLAB and Digital Media Lab technology. From vinyl cutting, lasering, 3D printing, digital conversion, circuitry, or coding, you won’t believe what you can do! Try our Learn at Home kits and check out the matching game called Notable Black Canadians for children ins Grade 1 – Grade 6 Learn about notable Black Canadians and their contributions! $10.00 per kit.

Black and Canadian: Stories of Service
Celebrate Black voices, stories and accomplishments year round. The new exhibition Black and Canadian: Stories of Service is on display at the Lakeshore Branch throughout March. This exhibition puts a spotlight on Black military contributions, acknowledging those who worked in service to this country and examining the process of record keeping and the creation of national narratives.
Presented by Black Artists’ Networks in Dialogue and UPlift Black with the support of TD Bank.

Storytime with Ramona Deane
Join Ramona Deane for a high energy,
uplifting storytime all about celebrating
our uniqueness and the power of love.
We’ll have you laughing, dancing, reading,
and loving from the moment we begin!
Free for ages 0-7.
Lakeshore: Saturday March 5, 10:30-11:00am
Our Partners
Get to know the speakers and organizers behind these Black History Month events.

UPlift Black
Community Group and Partner
Read more about UPlift Black
UPlift Black is a social service agency working to UPlift the complete wellbeing of Black people who live in Simcoe Muskoka. Their work is culturally based and anchored in 2SLGBTQPNIA+ inclusivity striving to achieve the ultimate goal of racial equity through a conscious community.

Sean George
Artist | Art Educator | Cultural Worker
Read more about Sean George
Sean George is an artist, art educator, and cultural worker. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, and has lived in Trinidad and Tobago, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto and Barrie. He presently divides his time between the semi-rural community of Long Sault,ON, and Barrie, ON.
He is interested in the intersection between community, art, identity, and transformation. He believes culture can raise awareness of most topics, whilst it can be alienating. In the pursuit of art, George harnesses community dialogue, research, experience, and aesthetics, to create work that enables him to build his understanding of the world he inhabits.
George is a multi-disciplinary artist, he utilizes photography, writing, installation, drawing, and performance. He uses the media that speak to the overall theme of his artwork. George’s work challenges the status quo, whilst aligning with the elements of art and design.

Jason George
Wildlife Photographer | Presenter | Teacher
Read more about Jason
Jason George is a wildlife photographer and presenter, who retired from teaching because his love/curiosity of wildlife pulled him out of the profession and actually the city as he chases his dream. He has travel to every Continent except Antarctica, having some EPIC experiences along the way. Jason now uses his passion for wildlife to inspire future generations to help the animals he loves as he shares his work. Jason has been fortunate to speak (in person and virtually) with not only school groups, girl guides and special needs groups but he had the opportunity to present in person in his parents’ home country of Jamacia about this wildlife passion. He leads private tours and presentations for all abilities. Check out his work www.jasongeorgephotography.com we are sure you’ll find a photo or story there that will make you smile.
Watch for an upcoming March Break program with Jason!

Roxann Whittingham
Child & Youth Practitioner | Owner of Ms. Hotty Hotty | Author | Change Maker
Read more about Roxann
Roxann Whittingham is a trained Child and Youth Practitioner, graduating at the top of her class from Georgian College while working as the VP of Community Engagement for that institution. She also holds a diploma in Education and has over ten years of teaching experience, working with elementary and high school students in Jamaica. She has a distinct passion for advocating for, empowering, motivating, and inspiring young people. Most of her Canadian work experience revolves around children and youth from marginalized groups, with various disabilities and mental health conditions. Her Caribbean upbringing and roots gave her the tenacity and resiliency skills needed to support this dynamic group. Roxann does everything with ‘heart and soul’, an imperative ingredient needed for the vulnerable sector in which she practices.
Roxann is a change-maker and backs up her values and beliefs with action. She is the proud founder of the Black Education Empowerment (Scholarship) Fund, (B.E.E.F), instituted to encourage and support black students applying to Georgian College while stimulating diversity. She is the owner of ‘Ms. Hotty Hotty’, a company that produces authentic Jamaican Jerk Marinade, a published author of three books, a proud member of the OACYC, South Simcoe Startup, UPlift Black, Georgian Changemaker et al, and a mother of two handsome boys, Akeem and Joshua.

Stories of Colour
Community Group and Partner
Read more about Stories of Colour
Stories of Colour features children’s books written by authors of colour, or whose central character is a person of colour. Please understand that it is of the utmost importance for children to not only see themselves being represented in the stories, but also by the individuals telling the stories. To become a reader, please send inquiries to: storiesofcolour.ca@gmail.com.

Ramona Deane
Board Chair and Education Director of UpLift Black
Read more about Ramona
Ramona Deane is a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) at the Simcoe County District School Board and Board Chair and Education Director of UpLift Black, an organization working to build the visibility and socio-economic development of Black people based in Simcoe/Muskoka. Ramona is an engaging speaker, dynamic presenter, passionate voice for the community