International Day for People of African Descent.
Celebrating Black Excellence, Confronting Structural Injustice
On August 31, the world observes the International Day for People of African Descent, a day established by the United Nations to acknowledge the contributions, cultures, and resilience of people of African descent worldwide. First observed in 2021, the day affirms the need to promote the full inclusion of people of African descent and to combat systemic racism, discrimination, and historical injustice.
Why This Day Matters
More than 200 million people of African descent live across the Americas alone, with millions more residing in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Despite their enormous contributions to society, through culture, art, science, politics, education, and community leadership, African-descended people continue to face systemic barriers rooted in the legacies of colonialism and slavery.
The day is a reminder that anti-Black racism is not a thing of the past, but a present-day reality that shapes access to opportunities, safety, and justice. The UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, launched in 2021, continues to highlight how the effects of historical enslavement, segregation, and exclusion persist in institutions and attitudes today.
The Canadian Context
In Canada, people of African descent have been an integral part of the country’s history for over 400 years, yet they are often left out of dominant narratives. From the early presence of enslaved Africans in New France to the migrations of Black Loyalists, Maroons, and Underground Railroad refugees, Black Canadians have shaped the nation's past and present.
Today, Black Canadians continue to experience disproportionate rates of poverty, police violence, health disparities, and educational discrimination. The United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, during their 2016 visit to Canada, concluded that systemic anti-Black racism is deeply entrenched and that urgent action is needed to address the legacy of enslavement and structural inequality.
A Call to Action
The International Day for People of African Descent is a call to action. It challenges governments, institutions, and communities to uphold the human rights of African-descended people and to work toward justice and equity.
Efforts must include investing in Black-led organizations, supporting culturally grounded education, addressing anti-Black racism in policing and health care, and ensuring representation in decision-making spaces. The day also invites all Canadians to learn about the histories of African-descended communities and to commit to dismantling systems of racial inequality.
Final Reflection
August 31 is a moment to honour Black heritage, celebrate Black excellence, and affirm the rights and dignity of people of African descent. However, it must also serve as a catalyst for meaningful change. As we commemorate this day, let us reflect on how we can build a world where equity is not conditional and where the legacies of the past no longer limit the future.
Let this be a time not only of recognition, but of reckoning, resistance, and renewal.
Written by Evetta Solomon
Resources for Further Learning & Action
International Coalition for People of African Descent (ICPAD)
SlaveVoyages - Database documenting transatlantic slave trade routes and statistics slavevoyages.org
A Black People’s History of Canada (BPHC) - A multi-year research and educational initiative exploring Black Canadian heritage from 1604 to present
The Story of Black Slavery in Canadian History – Canadian Museum for Human Rights
BLK, An Origin Story (docuseries) - Documentary series examining migrations of Black Loyalists, Maroons, and communities from coast to coast
BlackPast.org - Extensive encyclopedia devoted to global and North American Black history
Hidden Voices: Stories of the Global African Diaspora (educator guide) - Pedagogical content across continents and centuries
“North Is Freedom” – Underground Railroad photo exhibition - Chronicles stories of settlers in Canada via the Underground Railroad
Salem Chapel, St. Catharines – Harriet Tubman Church - Historic sanctuary and international freedom landmark