In celebration of Black History Month, we’re recognizing Black Canadians, both past and current. They have made significant contributions to Canadian society in fashion, athletics, culture, and politics. This list is far from exhaustive. Countless Black Canadian individuals continue to break barriers. They challenge outdated norms and enrich our country in countless ways. We honor and celebrate them today, throughout this month, and all year round.
VIOLA DESMOND
Halifax-born entrepreneur Viola Desmond built a successful career as a beautician. She ran her own hair salon before establishing a beauty school. The school was created to train and mentor Black Canadian women. However, she is best known for her courageous stand against segregation. In 1946, while visiting a movie theatre in New Glasgow, N.S., Desmond took a seat on the ground floor, a section designated for white patrons. Despite offering to pay the small tax difference, she was forcibly removed. She was arrested, fined $26, and sentenced to 30 days in jail. Her act of defiance became a pivotal moment in Canada’s civil rights history. Although she passed away in New York in 1965, her legacy endured. In 2010, Nova Scotia issued a formal apology and posthumous pardon, recognizing the injustice she faced. In 2018, Desmond made history. She became the first Canadian woman to be featured on the face of a Canadian banknote.
STEPHAN JAMES
Canadian actor Stephan James gained widespread recognition for portraying pivotal African American figures in history. He then landed a breakout role in an adaptation of a James Baldwin novel. It was directed by an Oscar-winning filmmaker. James was born on December 16, 1993, in Toronto, Ontario. His parents are Jamaican immigrants. He grew up in the Scarborough area of Toronto. Like many Canadian actors, his career began with a role on the popular series Degrassi: The Next Generation (CTV, 2001-2015). He portrayed Julian Williams from 2010 to 2012. After the show wrapped, James made his film debut. He appeared in the indie drama Home Again (2012). In it, he played a Jamaican immigrant. The film was a success in Canada and earned James a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
James’ career continued to soar with significant roles. He portrayed civil rights activist John Lewis in Ava DuVernay’s Selma (2014). He also played Olympic champion Jesse Owens in Race (2016) after original star John Boyega had to drop out. His performance in Race garnered him another Canadian Screen Award nomination. This time, he won the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
In 2018, James was cast by writer/director Barry Jenkins in If Beale Street Could Talk, based on Baldwin’s 1974 novel. James played Alonzo “Fonny” Hunt. He starred alongside KiKi Layne. The story is about a wrongful imprisonment that tests the strength of a young couple’s love. The film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival to rave reviews and earned Oscar buzz. That same year, James starred in the sci-fi drama series Homecoming (Amazon, 2018-), alongside Julia Roberts.
James has continued to build his impressive career. He stars in the 2024 TV series Surface. He is also in the films Babes and The Piano Lesson. Both films are set for release in 2024. In 2025, he will also star in Ricky, further cementing his status as one of Hollywood’s brightest rising stars. He and his brother, actor Shamier Anderson, launched the Legacy Awards.
TAYLOR RUSSELL
Actor Taylor Russell is rapidly emerging as a rising star. Hailing from Vancouver, the 29-year-old has showcased her talent in the acclaimed family drama Waves (2019). She also starred in the horror thriller Escape Room (2021). In 2022, she appeared in the film Bones and All, where she starred alongside Timothée Chalamet. Beyond the screen, Russell has established herself as a rising fashion icon. She frequently graces the front rows of high-fashion shows. She also serves as a Global Brand Ambassador for the Spanish luxury house Loewe.
DRAKE
Born and raised in Toronto, Drake has become one of the most influential artists in modern music. He rose to fame in the late 2000s with his breakthrough mixtape So Far Gone. He quickly transitioned from a promising rapper to a global superstar. Drake consistently dominates the charts with a signature blend of rap and R&B. He breaks records with albums like Take Care, Nothing Was the Same, and Certified Lover Boy. Beyond music, he has cemented his status as a cultural icon, shaping fashion, sports, and entertainment. Drake founded OVO Sound and serves as a dedicated ambassador for Toronto. He continues to elevate Canadian music on the world stage. He inspires a new generation of artists.
VINESSA ANTOINE
Toronto-born actor Vinessa Antoine broke barriers in 2019. She became the first Black Canadian woman to lead an hour-long Canadian television series. Looking back on the milestone, she shared, “It feels great to be the first. It also gives me pause. It makes me question a lot of things.” Growing up, I didn’t see a lot of me reflected on TV; I didn’t see the world I lived in. It’s about time. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a bigger change.” While this achievement was long overdue, Antoine has continued to thrive in the industry, securing roles in Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia and CBS’s So Help Me Todd. In 2024, she starred as a lead in Plan B (Season 2) and appeared in The Madness. She is best known for her roles as Judith Winters in the CBC comedy-drama series Being Erica (2009–11). She also played Jordan Ashford in the ABC soap opera General Hospital (2014–18). Antoine portrayed Marcie Diggs in the CBC legal drama series, Diggstown (2019–22).
SHAMIER ANDERSON
Shamier Anderson, is a Canadian actor known for his roles as U.S. Deputy Marshal Xavier Dolls in Wynonna Earp, as Trevante Cole in Invasion, and as Mr. Nobody in the action film John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). Anderson gained further recognition in 2020. He and his brother, actor Stephan James, launched the Legacy Awards. It’s Canada’s first nationally televised Black awards show. The event was not just a celebration of performances. It was also an important expression of Black Canadian culture. This had never before been seen on television.
WINNIE HARLOW
Winnie Harlow, born Chantelle Whitney Brown-Young in Toronto on July 27, 1994, has redefined beauty standards through resilience and self-acceptance. She was diagnosed with vitiligo at age four. She faced adversity but turned her distinctive appearance into a strength. This transformation propelled her into the fashion industry. She first gained recognition as a contestant on America’s Next Top Model in 2014. Her striking look and confidence captivated audiences. This led to a breakthrough career in global fashion. Since then, she has graced high-profile runways, starred in major campaigns, and challenged conventional beauty norms. Beyond modeling, Harlow is dedicated to advocating for self-acceptance and diversity. She uses her platform to raise awareness about vitiligo. She also promotes inclusivity. Her influence in fashion and philanthropy continues to inspire others to embrace individuality. She redefines industry standards and leaves a lasting impact far beyond the runway.
MICHAËLLE JEAN
As a young girl, Michaëlle Jean and her family left their home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. They fled to escape the oppressive regime of François Duvalier. They found refuge in Quebec, where Jean later attended the Université de Montréal. During her studies, she became an advocate for survivors of domestic violence, working in women’s shelters. In the late 1980s, she broke new ground as a journalist for Radio Canada. She became the first Black person in Canada to be on French TV news. By 2004, Jean had gained widespread recognition among French Canadians, hosting her own current affairs show. In 2005, she made history. She became Canada’s 27th Governor General. She was the first Black person and third woman to hold the position. She also made history again when she became the secretary general of the International Organisation of La Francophonie. She was the first woman to occupy the role. She was also the first Canadian to do so.
PK SUBBAN
PK Subban recently retired from the NHL. He made a significant impact on a sport traditionally dominated by white men. Subban played for the Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, and New Jersey Devils over 13 seasons in the National Hockey League. He earned recognition for his exceptional performance on the ice. He is also known for his heartwarming presence off the ice. In addition to his hockey career, Subban has served as an analyst for the NHL on ESPN. Now, he channels his energy into philanthropy and advocacy work. He focuses particularly on anti-racism. He continues to inspire the next generation of Black athletes in hockey.
DOMINIQUE ANGLADE
Dominique Anglade, born on January 31, 1974, is a Canadian engineer, businesswoman, and former politician. She made history as the leader of the Quebec Liberal Party and leader of the Opposition in Quebec from May 11, 2020, to December 1, 2022. Serving as a member of the National Assembly of Quebec from 2015 to 2022, representing Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne, Anglade broke several barriers during her career. She became the first woman to lead the Quebec Liberal Party, the first Black woman to lead a provincial party in Canada, and the first person of Haitian descent to serve as a cabinet minister in Canada. The daughter of academic Georges Anglade, she was also the first woman to serve as CEO of Montréal International.