In the Greater Toronto Area and across Canada, Black History Month inspires Canadians of all diversities to take the opportunity to recognize and educate themselves about the legacy, achievements and contributions of black Canadians to this nation's history, culture and heritage.

My perspective is that black history is Canadian history, and this ongoing awareness is important in making the invisible visible, with the goal that black Canadian contributions to this nation's social, economic, cultural and political landscape will be understood, celebrated and shared by all Canadians.

The three levels of government have taken a step in the right direction by issuing proclamations and declarations of observance of Black History Month in their jurisdictions. Despite these efforts, I believe that many Canadians still do not even know that February is Black History Month.

"The Time is Now" is the theme the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) has chosen to kick off this decade (2010-2019). It is time for individuals, groups, institutions and the media to join or spotlight efforts to include the black Canadian experience in our diverse mosaic. It is time to inspire people of all diversities to put all the missing pieces together to create a full and accurate depiction of the historical and current contributions of black Canadians to the building and development of Canada.

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