The Atlantic slave trade and the ensuing enslavement of millions of people of African descent led to a long history of resistance that resulted in the development of thriving Black communities in Ontario. With abolitionist and Person of National Historic Significance Josiah Henson’s life as a backdrop, we’ve captured inspiring stories that speak to the early African-Canadian experience in Ontario.

Featured video

The Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History and Lambton Kent District School Board held their 2023 Youth Symposium this May, supported by Canada Life, to educate Grade 6 and 7 classes on diversity, racism and slavery in Canada. This year, the students heard from author and activist, Desmond Cole.

Discovering Dawn

Historian Marie Carter and Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History Programs Assistant Jackie Bernard visit landmarks associated with the Underground Railroad and British American Institute in the town of Dresden – once a thriving destination for refugees from slavery.

Episode 1: Thomas Hughes and Christ Church Anglican	Episode 2: Dresden's Black business district	Episode 3: The Whipper Cottage (home of William Whipper)
Episode 4: Josiah Henson and the McInnes Family friendship

Emancipation Day 2021

Each August Civic Holiday weekend, the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History celebrates Emancipation Day with various speakers, performers, exhibits and cuisine that reflect the Black cultural experience in Ontario. Explore the 2021 virtual Emancipation Day celebration.

Kramer Wimberley. The lead diving instructor with the organization Diving With a Purpose shares his experience of exploring sunken slave ships of the transatlantic slave trade.	Cooking fun. Follow along in your own kitchen as we mix up some fried okra in this virtual cooking class.	Alexandra Kane. This London, Ontario vocalist has a voice as powerful as the lyrics to her songs.
Moses Latigo Odida. Independent filmmaker Moses Latigo Odida shares an exclusive director’s cut of his new film that explores racism in Canada.	Tiyahna Ridley-Padmore. Meet the author of Trailblazers: The Black Pioneers Who Have Shaped Canada as she reminds us of the importance of commemorating Emancipation Day.	Alexandra Kane. This London, Ontario vocalist has a voice as powerful as the lyrics to her songs.

Exhibit snapshots

Curator Steven Cook and Programs Assistant Jackie Bernard introduce you to the gallery spaces and structures on the grounds of the two-hectare (five-acre) Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History property.

The British American Institute. For 10 years, the British American Institute provided education and manual-labour training to Underground Railroad refugees in the Dresden area. Learn more about the role of this school.	The Josiah Henson House. Remarkably, the Josiah Henson House has been moved three times since it was built in the mid-19th century. Learn more about why the house is so well travelled!	Hugh Burnett and the National Unity Association. Between 1948 and 1956, the National Unity Association, under the leadership of Hugh R. Burnett, waged a campaign for racial equality and social justice. Learn more about this social justice organization!

Ontario’s Black heritage

Since the first recorded arrival of a Black person in Canada in 1608, people of African descent have made lasting and continuing contributions to the development of Canada and the Canadian identity. We celebrate their roles in the building of this nation.

Jared Brock. In 2020, we celebrated Canada Day by interviewing author/director Jared Brock. Steven Cook, Site Manager of the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History, speaks with Brock about his book The Road to Dawn and his recent documentary, Josiah.	Josiah. Watch Jared Brock’s documentary, Josiah, here.	Beyond the Underground Railroad – Black History in Chatham-Kent. This virtual forum features the curators from the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History, Buxton National Historic Site and Museum and the Chatham-Kent Black Mecca Museum in conversation with creators and researchers from across the province. Discussion spotlights successes of museums and communities across the province in bringing Black stories and achievements to the forefront.
Virtual tour. See inside the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History.	Beyond the Underground Railroad: Strategies for confronting anti-Black racism. This pre-recorded forum discussion will feature the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History, Buxton National Historic Site and Museum and Chatham-Kent Black Mecca Museum in conversation with Candice Fung (Inclusive Diversity Consultant, Lambton Kent District School Board), Rebecca Haskell-Thomas (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, Municipality of Chatham-Kent), and Irene Moore Davis (President, Essex County Black Historical Research Society). Atia Johnson, a student at McNaughton Avenue Public School in Chatham, will share her original poem entitled Followers.	Black Voices (In)Justice: Supporting Black Youth Representation in the Legal Profession Black Voices (In)Justice: Supporting Black Youth Representation in the Legal Profession — a special Black History Month program co-hosted by the Ontario Heritage Trust and Aird & Berlis — is now available on demand. During this informative and engaging session, you will hear from law students, law educators, lawyers and legal sector representatives as they discuss the profound impact that Mary Ann Shadd Cary had on the fight for equality. Presenters also examine diversity in the legal sector from historical and contemporary perspectives. The program includes: an overview of the trailblazing life of Mary Ann Shadd Cary (1823-93) and her fight for equal rights and justice a message from the Chief Justice of Ontario, the Honourable Michael H. Tulloch paths for entering law school and the legal sector the importance of mentorship and fostering inclusion for Black communities insights from Black professionals working in the legal sector about their challenges, successes and opportunities question-and-answer session with guest speakers Original live air date: Thursday, March 2, 2023 Webinar archive: You can access the webinar archive here (password: BLACKHISTORYMONTH2023).

Views expressed are those of the interviewees/performers and do not necessarily reflect those of the Ontario Heritage Trust.