Rosemary Sadlier has long been a prominent advocate for the recognition of Black history in Canada. Born and raised in Toronto, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Glendon College at York University before completing a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto in 1982. She later returned to the University of Toronto for a Bachelor of Education and completed coursework for a doctorate.
Sadlier played a pivotal role in expanding the observance of Black History Month across Canada. While Black history had been formally recognized in the United States since the 1920s, its observance in Canada remained largely within Black communities until the latter half of the 20th century. She led efforts to secure official recognition at the municipal, provincial, and national levels.
In 1995, Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to Parliament in Canada and a fellow University of Toronto graduate, introduced Sadlier’s proposal to the House of Commons. The motion passed unanimously, and in February 1996, Canada celebrated its first nationwide Black History Month.
Beyond Black History Month, Sadlier also championed the recognition of August 1 as Emancipation Day, advocating for its formal acknowledgment at all levels of government. Her work has been widely recognized, earning her numerous accolades, including the Order of Ontario, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award, the William Peyton Hubbard Race Relations Award, the Harry Jerome Award, and the Lifetime Achiever Award from the International Women’s Achievers’ Awards. She also holds an honorary doctorate from OCAD University.
Black History Month 2025: “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.”
Black History Month was first established as a week-long recognition in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson, coinciding with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Canada officially recognized February as Black History Month in 1995, following a motion by the Honourable Jean Augustine, the country’s first Black female Member of Parliament. Brantford has formally observed Black History Month since 2021.
In 2022, Brantford joined the UNESCO Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities, pledging to promote diversity and ensure all residents have the opportunity to fully participate in the city’s economic, political, and cultural life. As part of this commitment, Brantford City Council approved the Inclusive Community Plan in June 2023, furthering initiatives that support social inclusion and equity.
Sadlier recently spoke with BrantBlog about the significance of this year’s Black History Month theme, “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.” She emphasized the importance of reflecting on past achievements while recognizing the growing diversity within the Black Canadian community.
“The Government of Canada likely chose this theme because they want to make a pointed effort to acknowledge both historical contributions and the leadership emerging from the many cultural groups within the Black community,” Sadlier said. “We have to find ways to celebrate Canadian history, honour it, but also recognize that new voices are coming from different places, and they may not all share the same message or perspective on what is important.”
She highlighted the significance of historical figures such as Viola Desmond, who appears on Canada’s $10 bill for her role in challenging racial segregation in Nova Scotia—a landmark moment in the fight for racial equality in Canada.
“Viola Desmond stood up against racial discrimination in public spaces ten years before Rosa Parks did something similar in the United States,” Sadlier noted. “Her story reminds us of the leadership we can take in the present moment by resisting injustice in whatever way we can—ideally through organization and advocacy.”
Sadlier also discussed the evolution of public awareness of Black Canadian history.
“Over the years, awareness has increased due to the work of many individuals who have organized events, created exhibits, and held summits,” she said. “People now have more opportunities to read, see, and learn about Black history.”
She stressed the role of advocacy in shaping national recognition.
“The fact that Black History Month is now widely recognized across Canada is not something that happened on its own,” she explained. “Governments do not act without being pushed. It takes community advocacy, questioning, and persistence to bring about change.”
Sadlier also addressed the role of education in shaping future generations.
“Black history is still not a required subject in Canadian schools from kindergarten to Grade 12,” she said. “Educators have to go out of their way to find resources. I strongly recommend my book, The Kids Book of Black History in Canada, which has been well-researched and was the number one book for 2024 on Amazon.”
When asked about the most pressing challenges facing Black leadership in Canada today, Sadlier pointed to education and the need for safe spaces to discuss race relations, discrimination, and systemic issues.
“We need to provide opportunities for young people to discuss these issues in a classroom setting,” she said. “If parents or guardians are uncomfortable having these conversations, then when will they happen?”
She also emphasized the importance of understanding historical contributions.
“We cannot start from the idea that Black history begins today,” she said. “People of African descent have contributed to this country since at least the 1400s, long before Canada even existed in 1867.”
As for how Canadians can engage with Black History Month, Sadlier encouraged participation in events such as the Black Diaspora exhibit at the Museum of Toronto and the Kuumba Festival at Harbourfront.
Sadlier continues to advocate for greater awareness, representation, and systemic change. She hopes that the “Black Legacy and Leadership” theme will inspire more Canadians to reflect on history, take action, and support the next generation of Black leaders.
