Black History Month
Black History Month 2023
Barrie Innisfil
Wasaga Beach

Bradford Orillia Alliston Angus
During Black History Month (February), 7 communities across Simcoe County welcomed the Mosaic of Black Culture – A Family Event. Created by Making Change, this interactive event featured live steel pan music, a make your own steel pan craft and an overview of Black History from a local Canadian perspective. Admission was free and there were event dates in Innisfil (February 11), Angus & Orillia (February 18), Bradford West Gwillimbury (February 19), Wasaga Beach and Barrie (February 25) and most recently coming to Alliston (April 15).
“With so much rich Black History right in our own backyard, our interactive event will get the whole family engaged,” says Michèle Newton, co-founder of Making Change. “Making Change’s mission is to spark conversations around diversity and inclusion. Through our Mosaic of Black Culture event we want to create opportunities to build allyship. As we learn about Black History together we can move forward in community togetherness.”
Attendees heard traditional Caribbean music provided by award-winning steel pan performer, Pan Fyah. Youth had a chance to try the steel pan themselves and also create their own drum to take home in this fun-filled family event. The event also shared an engaging overview of Black History presented by Making Change speaker Debbie Opoku-Mulder.
These events have been possible because of sponsorship support from: Alectra Utilities, Wasaga Beach Public Library, Orillia Public Library, City of Orillia, Innisfil ideaLAB & Library, MacLaren Art Centre, Essa Public Library, Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library, the New Tecumseth Public Library and the City of Barrie.