PVNC Catholic Launches Black History Month with Celebration of Black Excellence and Joy

Feb. 5, 2026

Staff and students from across the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board came together at Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School in Courtice for the Board’s Black History Month Launch Event — a day of celebration, reflection, and learning.

Held on Feb. 3, 2026, the event featured a keynote address by Dr. Grace-Camille Munroe, a student panel discussion, and a celebratory dance performance by students from St. Stephen Catholic Secondary School. Students also participated in a variety of interactive breakout sessions, including cooking and hairstyling demonstrations, as well as a Black Excellence and Joy in Action Student Talent Show and Runway Show.

“Black History Month is both a celebration and a responsibility. It is an opportunity for our entire school board community to reaffirm our commitment to inclusive, equitable, and welcoming schools—places where every student feels seen, valued, and supported,” said Stephen O’Sullivan, Director of Education. “The stories of Black, African, and Caribbean communities are essential to the story of Canada itself. They are stories of courage, perseverance, and hope—stories that deserve to be heard, shared, and honoured, not only this month, but throughout the year.”

Each February, Black History Month provides an opportunity to commemorate and celebrate the experiences, achievements, and enduring contributions of Black communities in Canada, while deepening our collective understanding of their history and impact on Canadian society. Central to this reflection is the importance of centring Black joy.

On January 7, 2026, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, unveiled this year’s national theme: “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.” The theme marks three decades of Black History Month in Canada and recognizes the lasting legacy of Black Canadians, whose leadership, creativity, innovation, and resilience have shaped the nation’s past, continue to influence its present, and will inspire future generations.

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More Resources:

Anti-Black Racism Resources for Educators, Parents and Students

PVNC Catholic Equity Action Plan: A Vision of Transformative Change 2024-2028