Illuminate Black: Shining Light on the Black Presence in Ontario

Exhibit coming soon

On February 23, we’re launching a new exhibit on the rich and complex histories of Black communities across the province. Illuminate Black: Shining Light on the Black Presence in Ontario is an immersive experience that highlights untold stories from the last 250+ years.

Location: Archives of Ontario’s Helen McClung Exhibit Area, 134 Ian Macdonald Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario

Dates: From February 23, 2026 to March 2028

Visiting hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Illuminate Black is a celebration of Black joy, Black culture and Black resilience. Through artifacts, archival records and colourful design, visitors will encounter stories from the earliest Black arrivals to the present day. From freedom seekers to agricultural labourers, professionals, performers and entrepreneurs, these diverse narratives are personal and community-wide.

The exhibit features several distinct areas, each space focusing on topics like migration, anti-Black racism, and cultural expression. Displays combine photographs, physical objects, video recordings and interactives to provide a rich, multi-sensory experience. Visitors can step into dynamic spaces like a barber shop, a kitchen and a U.N.I.A. hall. There’s also a reflection space where visitors can pause and think about the exhibit.

“Illuminating the lengthy history of the everyday lives of Black Canadians removes us from the shadows of the unfamiliar, from the footnotes of history, and firmly places our presence in the spotlight . . .”

Dr. Natasha Henry-Dixon, exhibit curator

Acknowledgements

Curator

Dr. Natasha Henry-Dixon

Designers

Blue Rhino Design, Inc.

Exhibit Advisory Board

Organizations