Festivals & Events
Black History Month
February is Black History Month
The Black community has contributed significantly to the history and cultural diversity of the City of Hamilton. In 2023, the Black History Month Council, in partnership with Black-led organizations and the City of Hamilton came together to launch the first official Black History Month campaign “We Are Hamilton – Black History Remembered”. Through this collaborative initiative, images and biographies of Black Hamiltonians are shared with the community and new honourees are recognized each year.
We are Hamilton - Black History Remembered
The City of Hamilton would like to thank the Black History Month Council and Black-led organizations in Hamilton for their ongoing contributions and efforts to honour, celebrate and raise awareness of Black Hamiltonians who have made significant contributions to our city. The images and biographies of the 21 Black Hamiltonians honoured through this work will be shared during Black History Month in February in select City facilities, including Hamilton Public Library branches, recreation centres and City Hall.
2026 Honourees
Ona Allen (1925-2025)
Ona Allen leaves a legacy as a trailblazer. Born in 1925 in the historic North Buxton settlement, she made history as Hamilton’s first Black nurse, becoming a beloved and trusted presence at Hamilton General Hospital for nearly four decades, where she served with grace across countless wards and departments. Her retirement function, attended by hundreds, reflected the profound impact of her service. She overcame with grace and professionalism the incidents of racism she encountered in her childhood and adult work. She was a devoted and cherished member of Stewart Memorial Church and the Order of the Eastern Star.
Dr. Anthony MacFarlane (1937-2025)
Tony grew up in Jamaica and immigrated to Canada in 1959. He completed his medical studies at McMaster University and the University of Toronto. He maintained a successful medical practice for almost 5 decades in Hamilton until his retirement in 2006. Passionate about Caribbean history, he acquired a significant collection of rare books related to Caribbean history, some of which he donated to McMaster University. He received a Vice-Chancellor’s Award from the University of the West Indies in recognition of his support for the university. He was also a prominent member of the Temple Anshe Sholom congregation in Hamilton.
2025 Honourees
Reverend George Edmund Fitzgerald Horton (1934-2017)
Reverend George Edmund Fitzgerald Horton, born on May 4, 1934, in Guyana, was a distinguished pastor and community leader in Hamilton. Before moving to Canada, he served as a police officer in his home country. Horton earned a master’s degree from New York University and became Hamilton’s first Black Police Chaplain. As a pastor, he served at several churches, including Stewart Memorial Church. A recipient of the prestigious John C. Holland Award, he was celebrated for his leadership and contributions to the Black community. His legacy lives on through the Reverend George Horton Scholarship, awarded annually in his honour.
Haydain Neale (1970-2009)
Haydain Neale was born in Hamilton on September 3, 1970. A gifted singer-songwriter, he became the charismatic frontman of the Juno Award-winning band jacksoul. Known for their seamless blend of soul, R&B, funk, and pop, jacksoul captivated audiences with albums like Sleepless (2000) and Resurrected (2004), both lauded in the R&B/Soul genre. A recipient of the John C. Holland Award, Neale was recognized for his impact on the arts community. Despite a 2007 accident, he completed the poignant album SOULmate, released weeks before his passing on November 22, 2009, leaving a lasting legacy of resilience and creativity.
2024 Honouree
Dora Anie (1949-2019)
Dora Anie was a mother, wife, philanthropist, life coach, and hairstylist by trade. She was the Founder and President of Schools of Dreams (SOD), a Hamilton-based Canadian registered charity that transforms the lives of young children and their communities by building safe, sustainable learning environments in rural Ghana. Through Dora’s relationships and community engagement, SOD was born in 2004. In addition to creating SOD, she was an active volunteer and advocate in Hamilton with her work being recognized and, often being the recipient of or being nominated for many awards. Dora’s legacy still lives on through Schools of Dreams.
2023 Honourees
Anita Isaac (1939-2020)
Anita Isaac worked as a teacher before becoming a registered nurse in Hamilton. She worked at Chedoke Hospital as Nursing Supervisor, Assistant Director of Nursing, and later as Manager of Resources and Development at Hamilton Health Sciences.
Anita also served for many years as a member of the Board of Directors for Hamilton Health Sciences and in many capacities at Stewart Memorial Church. She was well known for being generous and a devoted community pillar.
Jack “Jackie” Washington (1919-2009)
Born and raised in Hamilton’s North End neighbourhood, Jackie Washington was a strong contributor to Hamilton’s music scene. He became Canada’s first black disc jockey with CHML in 1948, hosting his own show until 1950. His first solo album, Blues & Sentimental, was recorded in 1976.
Along with numerous musical awards and citations, in 2003 he was presented with an honorary doctorate from McMaster University. That same year, a new park in Hamilton’s Ward 2 was named Jackie Washington Rotary Park after him. He was a recipient of the John C Holland Award of Merit in 1997, which was later re-named in his honour.
Cynthia Taylor (1925-2002)
Cynthia Taylor taught home economics, family studies and early education for the Hamilton District School Board. She was known for her infectious love for nature and interest in early Black settlements in Canada. Cynthia organized racially diverse ‘Internat Family Camps’ for teens and adults which explored Black Canadian historical sites. She also led Stewart Memorial Heritage tours in the summer months to Southern Ontario and the Southern United States.
Denise J. Brooks (1956-2020)
Denise J. Brooks was best known as a relentless advocate for health equity and a champion of social justice and human rights. A leader in anti-racism work, she was often at the frontlines challenging existing structures and powers in the fearless pursuit of change.
Denise highlighted the negative impact of poverty on the marginalized populations she served during her tenure as Executive Director of Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre. Her legacy will live on through a new health centre building named in her honour: Denise J. Brooks Community Hub, to be located at 430 Cannon Street East, Hamilton.
Eleanor Rodney (1938-2020)
Eleanor Rodney was an exceptional teacher and a relentless community champion. As a teacher, she inspired and impacted generations of students, particularly those of African and Caribbean heritage.
Eleanor founded the African Caribbean Cultural Potpourri Inc. (ACCPI), which started as a variety show and to this day runs as an annual youth scholarship awards banquet. She received many honors, including the first John C Holland Award for Community Service, Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture Award, and Woman of the Year Award – Public Affairs.
Dr. Ethilda (Tillie) Johnson (1929-2016)
Dr. Tillie Johnson pioneered the first Caribbean and tropical food store in Hamilton on Concession Street, before moving to the Hamilton Farmers’ Market where she was an iconic presence for decades. Her generous spirit inspired her to create the Tillie Johnson Scholarship Fund to help African-Caribbean or Caribbean students pursue post-secondary education.
Tillie received well-deserved public recognition in the form of an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from McMaster University and was inducted into Hamilton’s Gallery of Distinction in 2006.
Fleurette Osborne (1927-2019)
Fleurette Osborne was an impactful community activist. She made a major contribution to advancing Black women in Canada, including as founding member and first National President of the Congress of Black Women of Canada. Other prominent roles included serving on the National Action Committee on the Status of Women and taking part in many international fora on women rights, including as a member of the Canadian Coordinating Committee for the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995.
Fleurette is the author of a study guide, Unite Against Racism: See People for Who They Really Are, published by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.
John Christie Holland (1882-1954)
Reverend John Christie Holland was a son of a runaway slave. He started out as a newspaper boy with the dream of becoming a minister. For 33 years, John worked as a railway porter where he was promoted first to head porter and then to private car attendant. In 1924, he became an ordained minister and served as Pastor at Stewart Memorial Church in Hamilton.
John became the first African Canadian to be honoured as Hamilton's distinguished Citizen of the Year in 1953 and was inducted into Hamilton’s Gallery of Distinction in 2003.
Julia Washington Berry (c1856-c1950)
Julia Washington Berry was a lifelong resident of Hamilton and worked as a toll keeper for the toll gates at the top of James Street. Julia married Henry Berry who escaped slavery in the United States and together, they had 10 children.
Julia and her family were members of St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church (Stewart Memorial Church). The Berry family were among the inhabitants of Little Africa on the mountain. She lived well into her nineties, serving as matriarch and pillar for many Berry descendants.
Neville Nunes (1931 -2016)
Neville Nunes was an outstanding educator and a dedicated community builder in Hamilton. Neville founded the first Black History Month for the former Hamilton Board of Education. He also developed a curriculum on the Black heritage of Hamilton-Wentworth, which was adopted and implemented across schools in the city.
Neville provided support and served as a resource for several projects and initiatives that highlighted the contribution of Black Canadians in Hamilton. He also served for many years as a board member for the John Howard Society and The Bridge.
Norman “Pinky” Lewis (1898-1977)
Norman “Pinky” Lewis was born in Hamilton and recognized as one of city's most outstanding citizens in 1971 when he was named Hamilton's Citizen of the Year.
Pinky devoted his life to amateur and professional sports with an emphasis on helping Hamilton's youth become engaged citizens. He worked with the Hamilton Tiger Cats Football Team as a trainer from 1953-1961 and as a Head Trainer at McMaster University from 1961-1972. In 1970, Pinky travelled as a Canadian team trainer to Yugoslavia for the World Amateur Basketball Championships.
Ray Johnson (1934-2006)
Ray Johnson was the head coach of the McMaster Marauders football team from 1969–1980, a founding member of the Hamilton-Wentworth Wrestling club, Chair of McMaster University Men's Athletics (1973-1978 and 1985-1991), a two-time president of the Ontario University Athletics Association, and a member of the organizing committee for the International Children's Games in 2000.
Ray was inducted into the McMaster Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993 as a Builder, in Hamilton's Gallery of Distinction in 2004, and named Hamilton Citizen of the Year in 2005.
Reverend Robert Foster (1920-2002)
Bob Foster was a businessman, sports coach and pastor born in Louisiana, United States. He was an avid sportsman who ran track, played football, baseball and boxed. Robert served as the first chaplain at Ontario’s thoroughbred racetracks, Woodbine and Fort Erie Racetracks.
Bob played a leading role in Hamilton’s Black community serving as a pastor at one of Hamilton's earliest Black churches - Stewart Memorial Church. In 1979, Bob co-founded the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association, the longest Black serving organization in Hamilton, where he served as its first President.
Vince Hall (1936- 2002)
Vince Hall was born in Jamaica before migrating to the United Kingdom and then to Canada, making Hamilton his home. Vince was known for his great leadership skills, charisma, mentorship and generous community spirit. In 1979, Vince was a key leader in the establishment of the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association, an association that sought to “unite and uplift” the local Black community in Hamilton.
Vince also founded Hamilton's first Caribbean entertainment facility, Steel City Caribbean Club, located on Locke Street. The facility featured dinner, dancing and an in-house band and drew in customers from Toronto, Ottawa, St. Catharines, Kitchener, Buffalo and Rochester.
Wilma Morrison (1929-2020)
Wilma Morrison was a tireless champion in preserving Black heritage, playing a leading role in the restoration of the Nathaniel Dett Chapel British Methodist Episcopal Church in the Niagara region.
Wilma was a sought-after speaker on Black heritage and was instrumental in establishing the Norval Johnson Heritage Library, which specialized in Canadian Black history. She played a key role in the development of the Niagara Freedom Trail Tours. Wilma was the recipient of numerous awards, including the John C Holland Award of Merit.
In 2021, the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association initiated a meeting between members of the Black community and Mayor Fred Eisenberger to encourage the City of Hamilton to officially embed an annual celebration of Black History Month in its list of City activities, as is done by several municipal governments across the province and beyond.
The mayor was receptive to the idea, and in subsequent meetings invited other City staff, including representatives from the City Manager’s Office and Hamilton Civic Museums, to join the conversation with the hopes of achieving this goal.
This year, the City of Hamilton launches its first official Black History Month Celebration under the theme We Are Hamilton - Black History Remembered. This important initiative is an opportunity to pay tribute to the Black community by highlighting the historical contributions and achievements of Black Hamiltonians who have helped to shape our city, and our country.
It is fitting that we honour at the inaugural celebration the following individuals whose memory we recall with deep appreciation:
We are thankful to the following organizations and individuals for their efforts and support:
We would like to thank former Mayor Fred Eisenberger and our new Mayor Andrea Horwath for their commitment and support.
Sincerely,
Black History Month Committee
The Black-led organizations who have made this initiative possible
Afro Canadian Caribbean Association, Africa and Black Diaspora Studies (McMaster University), BLK Owned, Empowerment Squared, Ghana Association of Hamilton, Haitian Association of Hamilton, Hamilton Black Health Community Leaders Forum, Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre, Hamilton Black History Council, Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, Nigerian Canadian Association of Hamilton and District, Refuge Hamilton Centre for Newcomer Health, Sisters in Sync, Jamaica Foundation Hamilton, Melanin Market and Sandbox Studios.
HSR/Public Art Black History Month Bus
HSR is launching its new Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Placemaking Program in 2026 to bring people together through public art and community activities that celebrate inclusivity, diversity, equity and accessibility. Each year will feature a new theme, a bus wrap, an interior bus gallery and community events to build awareness, empathy and a sense of belonging.
The first theme is Black History in Hamilton, with the inaugural bus wrap transforming one of HSR's buses into a meaningful piece of public art.
In consultation with the City’s Black History and Heritage Group and designed by local artist stylo starr, the artwork honours community leader Queen Cee.
Through bold visuals and storytelling, the bus encourages curiosity and conversation about Black History and the ongoing contributions of Black Hamiltonians. Inside the bus, riders will find messages sharing Queen Cee’s story and community impact, offering small moments of learning and connection during their daily trip.
Bio
stylo starr is a collage artist whose work centres nature, fantasy and the Afrofuture. An esoteric from a young age, stylo has always turned to collage as a creative outlet and enjoyed the treasure-hunt process of collecting magazine clippings, trinkets and oddities. Her work is driven by the observation and integration of fine layered detail in collaboration with her amateur interests in astrology, crystals, herbalism and the metaphysical - all of which are frequently featured in her collages.
stylo is based in her home town of Hamilton, Ontario, situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas.
Artist Statement
Hamilton's history has a long list of Black community leaders and contributors to the city. It is important to highlight the contemporary, current day leaders to show that Black history and influence in this city doesn’t just exist in the past – but it is being constantly created and fortified by the efforts and contributions of incredible Black Hamiltonians like Queen Cee.
I've had the privilege of growing up and being deeply inspired by Queen. It’s important for me in my practice as an artist to give flowers to the people that have impacted me or my communities. Having grown up taking public transit for most of my life, the HSR played a major role in how I got around the city. It’s been such a wonderful experience having the chance to adorn a bus, and for a worthy commemoration of a cherished friend and contemporary, celebrating Black history as it lives.
Community Events
Resources
HBHC DatabaseHamilton Public LibraryGriffin HouseHamilton Civic Museums and still i rise exhibitionAfro Canadian Caribbean Association Hamilton | Unity, Strength and ProgressBLK Owned – Directory for black owned businessesSchool of DreamsJohn Holland AwardsA Guide to Celebrating Black Culture and History in Hamilton - Tourism Hamilton
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Black History Month Events
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