African Heritage Month Information Network
Nova Scotia – Canada
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 17, 2025
CELEBRATE AFRICAN HERITAGE MONTH 2026
Sharing the History and Culture of African Nova Scotians
Strength in Unity Moving Forward with Purpose Prosperity Power and Progress
This year’s African Heritage Month provincial theme is “Strength in Unity: Moving Forward with Purpose, Prosperity, Power, and Progress.” The theme speaks to the power that comes when African Nova Scotians and people of African descent stand together with a shared sense of direction. It recognizes unity as an active force for change that strengthens communities, advances justice, and creates new opportunities.
At the heart of this strength are our elders, whose wisdom, stories and leadership continue to guide us. As knowledge keepers and culture bearers, they remind us of where we have come from and what it has taken to get here. In honouring our elders, we celebrate more than 400 years of African presence in Nova Scotia and the enduring legacy of the province’s 52 historic African Nova Scotian communities, while renewing our commitment to move forward together with purpose, prosperity, power and progress.
The 2026 theme also reflects the continued journey beyond the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, carrying forward the principles of recognition, justice, and development. Strength in Unity calls upon us to harness our collective wisdom, resilience, and creativity to build prosperity in all its forms, cultural, social economic and spiritual.
The provincial launch of African Heritage Month 2026 will take place on January 27 at 11 am at the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia. The launch will bring together community leaders, elders, youth partners, and government representatives to officially mark the beginning of African Heritage Month celebrations across the province.
African Heritage Month provides an opportunity for all Nova Scotians to learn, reflect, and celebrate the history, culture, achievements and contributions of people of African descent past and present.
From the Beginning
The origins of Black History Month, now referred to as African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia, date back to 1926 when historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week to recognize the achievements and contributions of African Americans.
February was chosen to align with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two figures closely associated with the emancipation of enslaved African people. In the 1950s Negro History Week was observed in Canada and in 1976 it expanded to Black History Month.
African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia and Canada
Nova Scotia has played a leading role in recognizing African heritage in Canada, including the official establishment of African Heritage Month in 1996. Nationally, February was officially recognized as Black History Month by the House of Commons in 1995, following a motion by the Honourable Jean Augustin, and was permanently affirmed in 2008 through a motion introduced by the late Nova Scotia Senator Donald Oliver, KC.
“Strength in Unity: Moving Forward with Purpose, Prosperity, Power, and Progress” is a call to action. Unity has always been a source of strength for African Nova Scotians and People of African descent, sustaining us through generations of challenge and change. By honouring our elders and standing together, we create opportunities and shape a future where our leadership, culture, and contributions are reflected in every part of this province. — Twila Grosse, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs
About the African Heritage Month Information Network
The African Heritage Month Information Network is a provincial partnership comprising the Black Cultural Centre and the Black Cultural Society of Nova Scotia, African Nova Scotian Affairs, and community organizations across the province. Each year, the network produces an educational African Heritage Month poster, which is distributed to schools, community spaces, government offices, and businesses.
To order a poster or learn more about African Heritage Month events and municipal proclamations, visit www.bccns.com/ahmposter and www.ahm.bccnsweb.com.
For More Information
Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia
Phone 902 434 6223
Email contact@bccns.com
