February is Black History Month

A news release from the city reminded me that February is Black History Month.
I do believe that I've mentioned in the past that Bathurst Street, the Annex's western boundary, has long been associated with black history.
In fact, the author of this article says, "Bathurst Street is what Central Avenue is to Los Angeles or Lennox Avenue is to New York City."
And this article talks about Toronto's first Black postman, who lived in Harbord Village. In fact, Seaton Village had a large black community at one time and Markham Street was home to Mammy Brown, a former slave of some renown.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Black History Month

February is Black History Month and there will be a slew of celebrations, displays and events to mark it. The city of Toronto also has events planned.
Hogtown's archives hold some interesting artifacts and the webpage write up succinctly explains the origins of our strong black history.
"Toronto has had a Black population from its earliest days as a settlement. United Empire Loyalists, Americans escaping enslavement, rural Canadians moving from Nova Scotia or southwestern Ontario, Jamaicans following economic opportunities, Somalis and Ghanaians establishing themselves in a new land; each individual and each community has contributed to the growth of Toronto as a unique city."
I mention it on this Blog because Bathurst Street, our area's western boundary, has "always been part of Black life in T.O."
Cheers,
Vanessa

Black History Month: Local Connection

I knew that February is Black History Month, and that Toronto was a safe harbour for fugitive slaves from the U.S.

One of those former slaves lived in Seaton Village, on Markham Street. A tenuous tie, I know, but a great excuse to read a good article about the Underground Railroad.
Cheers,

Vanessa