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February is Black History Month and this year the University of Toronto is looking at Black Futures, too, through artful expressions of dreams and realities.

Recognize and honour the achievements of Black Canadians with us. Hear from speakers – including Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri at the annual Black History Luncheon, hosted by �Թϱ��� on Feb. 28 – who are building communities and inspiring change in Canada and beyond. Be inspired yourself and join discussions at events taking place all month long.

Here are a few of the many events recognizing Black History and Black Futures, as well as some other notable February events:

Feb. 1

Take a powerful musical journey through time with actor and vocalist Nicky Lawrence. of female jazz and blues greats, Lawrence’s own experiences and perspectives on the “ugly Black woman,” as well as present realities and emerging futures for Black Canadian women. This event is part of Hart House’s , which blends knowledge of the past with re-imaginings of the future.

Feb. 2

Occurring simultaneously in more than 50 cities,  in partnership with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in Canada and Hart House. Stay up late to think and talk through some urgent topics of our time, including detention and dislocation. Art installations, board games and even a late-night cricket demonstration will take place throughout the evening.

Feb. 4

Join the Centre for Ethics’ , an American dark comedy film following the story of a young African-American telemarketer. The screening will be accompanied by a presentation by Daniel Adleman, an assistant professor in �Թϱ���’s writing and rhetoric program.

at �Թϱ��� Scarborough with free food and fun.

While you’re on the Scarborough campus, at this month’s What’s Cooking session.

Feb. 5

Explore the valley at �Թϱ��� Scarborough with led by Indigenous Outreach Coordinator Juanita Muise.

Feb. 6

This year’s Hancock Lecture is about the disability justice revolution. , a community organizer and a co-founder of the Disability Justice Network of Ontario. This talk will be moderated by �Թϱ��� alumna Loren O. Delaney, who wears many hats – among them, public speaker and community organizer.

How can we increase student engagement with Varsity Blues programming? Tackle this question at , a tri-campus sports hackathon hosted by �Թϱ��� Scarborough. Find out about the free hackathon at the kick-off event on Feb. 6. Optional skill-building modules take place in the week leading up to the hackathon itself, which takes place Feb. 15.

What can we do to prevent a nuclear war? University Professor John Polanyi, who received the 1986 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, at George Ignatieff Theatre, starting at 5 p.m. 

Feb. 7

This isn’t your average masterpiece.  features “melanin-rich” Lego sculptures drawing from Afrofuturism, mythology, and West African proverbs. Powerful and haunting, this free exhibition is on until Feb. 22 at Hart House on the downtown campus.

 runs from Feb. 7-9 on the downtown campus, with �Թϱ��� talent in nine original student-written plays.

Feb. 8

Learn to express the unspoken by �Թϱ���’s Sexual & Gender Diversity Office.

Feb. 12

Meet six innovative and influential Black women and men . Share stories, chat, and learn from their journeys over lunch.

Feb. 13

First Nations House is organizing an Indigenous career fair, where students can get a foot in the door with employers like the University of Toronto, major banks, the City of Toronto and Toronto police. Organizers are hoping for a big turnout including Indigenous students from �Թϱ��� and outside the university. Attendees are encouraged to bring a resumé. The fair will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Koffler House, home of the Multi-Faith Centre. This event is co-hosted by Career Exploration and Education.

If you’re inspired by Ekow Nimako’s Lego art exhibition at Hart House (Feb. 7-22) and want to create your own, to explore Afrofuturism, ancestry and family legacy.

Assistant Professor Jedediah Kuhn at �Թϱ��� Mississauga. The next talk will be on Mar. 7, titled “#blackgirlmagic: On Disability and Possibility in the Digital Age.”

Feb. 14

Innis Town Hall is hosting , with director and �Թϱ��� alumna Sharon Lewis. Inspired by Nalo Hopkinson’s novel Brown Girl in the Ring, the film is set in post-apocalyptic Toronto and explores feminism, poverty, and literal black girl magic.

Feb. 15

Enjoy , made possible in partnership with the University of Toronto Students’ Union and the Veg Club. Caribbean and Canadian flavours combine in this meal by Noella Charles, founder and chef of Ella Charles Cuisine, inspired by her St. Lucian roots.

�Թϱ��� students are invited to on the downtown campus – an electrifying evening of dance in partnership with the Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance. Want to learn some moves before the event? Arrive early and join the beginner vogue dance workshop.

Feb. 23

Attend at �Թϱ���’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design to hear from scholars on the drone’s “place” within cities.

Feb. 26

Craving more Afro-Caribbean food? , with fried plantain, curry, and coconut squares.

Students from �Թϱ���’s Faculty of Music voice studies program . The evening is made possible in part by a generous grant from �Թϱ���’s School of Cities and by a gift from Roy and Marjorie Linden.

Feb. 28

Hear from Masai Ujiri, president of the Toronto Raptors and co-founder of Giants of Africa, . Though the Hart House event is sold out, by showing your community involvement. The event will streamed live from Hart House on the downtown campus to �Թϱ��� Scarborough and �Թϱ��� Mississauga. A third streaming location has been added – at the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport.

Beverley McLachlin, former Chief Justice of Canada, ” at �Թϱ���’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. The talk is part of the Women in Leadership Series of the David Peterson Public Leadership Program.

“Building Race and Nation: Slavery, Dispossession and American Civic Architecture” , a professor at Columbia University. This talk is part of the R.K. Teetzel Lecture in Architecture at �Թϱ���’s University College.