Dr. Jean Augustine: The Woman Who Made Black History Month Official in Canada

Thirty years ago, Black History Month became officially recognized in Canada because one woman stood up in Parliament and moved a motion that changed the nation’s cultural record.

That woman was Jean Augustine.

In December 1995, Dr. Augustine introduced a motion in the House of Commons calling for February to be officially recognized as Black History Month. The motion passed unanimously, leading to the first national Black History Month celebration in February 1996. Today, her leadership remains one of the most significant milestones in Black Canadian history.

A Historic Moment Preserved by WorldWide Entertainment TV

On January 27, 2020, WorldWide Entertainment TV was invited as accredited media to attend the TD Bank Black History Month Series Launch at Harbourfront Centre in downtown Toronto. Held in the Brigantine Room, the event officially kicked off Black History Month celebrations across Canada by highlighting diverse voices and stories from coast to coast.

WWETV Toronto host Xentury conducted an on-camera interview with Dr. Augustine, capturing her reflections on legacy, advocacy, and the importance of national recognition. The interview now stands as a rare archival document—recorded just before the world shut down weeks later.

The Motion That Changed Canada

Dr. Jean Augustine’s 1995 motion was more than symbolic. Its unanimous passage marked the first time Canada formally acknowledged the contributions, struggles, and achievements of Black Canadians at a national level.

Key milestones include:

• 1993 – Elected as the first Black woman to Canada’s House of Commons

• December 1995 – Motion recognizing Black History Month passed unanimously

• February 1996 – Canada’s first official Black History Month celebrated nationwide

The decision helped embed Black history into Canada’s public consciousness, educational systems, and cultural programming.

A Legacy Beyond Parliament

Beyond her historic parliamentary achievements, Dr. Augustine’s influence spans education, social justice, and community empowerment.

Her legacy includes:

• Recipient of the Order of Canada

• Recipient of the Order of Ontario

• Founder of the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment

• Namesake of the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora at York University

Throughout her career, she has remained a tireless advocate for equity, inclusion, and opportunity—particularly for Black women and youth.

30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance

The 2026 theme for Black History Month in Canada —
“30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries” — invites reflection on how far the country has come, while recognizing those who laid the foundation.

Dr. Jean Augustine is undeniably one of those nation builders.

Her courage and leadership ensured that Black Canadians would not have to fight annually for recognition—but instead could build upon a permanent place in the nation’s story.

Preserving Black Canadian History

WorldWide Entertainment TV remains committed to documenting and preserving Black history through original interviews, archival footage, and cultural storytelling. This interview with Dr. Jean Augustine is part of WWETV’s ongoing effort to ensure that pivotal moments in Black Canadian history are not lost, diluted, or forgotten.

As Black History Month marks its 30-year milestone, this conversation stands as both a reminder and a responsibility: history must be recorded by those who understand its weight.