The Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA) will celebrate Black History Month in February with a major Toronto showcase and a series of related cultural events aimed at preserving and elevating Black Canadian music history.
Presented by Word Media Group Inc., with support from TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment and the Department of Canadian Heritage, the annual Black History Month Showcase will take place on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at the City of Toronto Archives, located at 255 Spadina Rd. The free, public event will feature a full day of programming combining live music, conversation and cultural reflection.
The daytime program, running from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., will centre on a conversation between acclaimed chef, musician and cultural ambassador Roger Mooking and CBMA co-founder Phil Vassell. The discussion will explore themes of storytelling, artistic legacy and the importance of preserving Black music history within Canada’s broader cultural record.
The evening portion, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., will showcase live performances from some of the country’s most recognized Black artists, including Jully Black, Tanika Charles, Divine Brown, Dru of In Essence, and Liberty Silver. DJ and production support will be provided by Carl Allen.
Jully Black, widely regarded as one of Canada’s defining contemporary music voices, is set to bring her signature blend of R&B, soul and cultural leadership to the stage. Tanika Charles will contribute her layered soul sound influenced by jazz and funk, while Dru will deliver a performance rooted in classic Canadian R&B. Veteran vocalist Liberty Silver will round out the lineup with powerful vocals reflecting decades of artistic influence.
Additional details and registration information for the Toronto showcase are available through the CBMA’s website.
Beyond the Feb. 5 event, the CBMA’s Black History Month programming extends across multiple venues and dates in Ontario, underscoring the organization’s broader mandate as a national archive and cultural institution.
From Feb. 11 to Feb. 13, 2026, the CBMA has been invited to present a specially curated exhibit at the Lieutenant Governor’s Suite within the Legislative Building at Queen’s Park, located at 111 Wellesley St. W. The installation, housed in the Music Room, will feature materials from the CBMA alongside contributions from the Archives of Ontario and Black Diasporas. The exhibit will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
An opening reception is scheduled for Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include remarks from the Lieutenant Governor, representatives from the Archives of Ontario, the CBMA and Black Diasporas, as well as poetry by Ontario Poet Laureate Matthew “Testament” Jones. Live music is planned for noon, with the performing artist to be announced.
The Toronto showcase also connects with a film screening later in the month. On Feb. 18, 2026, the Archives of Ontario will host a screening of Portia White: Think on Me from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The documentary, directed by Sylvia D. Hamilton, examines the legacy of Portia White, the celebrated Nova Scotian contralto. Hamilton will attend the screening, which will be followed by a panel discussion hosted by University of Toronto professor Mark Campbell, founder of the Northside Hip Hop Archive and the Afrosonic Innovation Lab.
According to CBMA leadership, the February events reflect the organization’s growing national footprint.
“As a living archive, the CBMA continues to elevate the stories of Black Canadian musicians across generations, genres and across the country. To date, we’ve visited Montreal and on February 27th, we will be travelling to Vancouver.” says Phil Vassell, Executive Director of the Canada Black Music Archives.
The Vancouver stop, scheduled for Feb. 27, is part of the CBMA’s ongoing effort to engage audiences beyond Ontario and highlight regional Black music histories.
Corporate and public-sector partners are playing a key role in supporting the programming. In a statement, TD Bank Group said, “TD is proud to support Canada Black Music Archives’ Toronto Showcase and help bring communities together, showcase Black talent, and create space to share Black stories and experiences.”
Additional support for the Black History Month programming comes from the Government of Canada through Canadian Heritage, the Archives of Ontario, the City of Toronto Archives and the Afrosonic Innovation Lab.
Collectively, the events position the CBMA’s February programming as both a celebration of Black Canadian musical excellence and a contribution to the country’s cultural and historical record.
