February is Black History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Black people and communities (in Canada and beyond). As an accompaniment to the Library’s physical display (pictured above), we are pleased to feature select digital resources as we learn and celebrate.
Exhibitions, Projects, and Blogs
ONCE UPON A TIME: …Through the lens of a Black archivist
In this eight-part blog series, Leddy Library’s Antoinette Seymour shares perspectives and reflections as a proud University of Windsor alumna and professional archivist cross-appointed to Leddy Library and the University of Windsor Black Studies Institute. Antoinette (Anto) starts each post with a Bahamian Storytelling Chant and interweaving photos from her own histories throughout.
"Indeed, the time has come for us to celebrate Fred Thomas and his 2024 induction into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame as a 'multisport phenomenon who refused to let prejudice define his potential.'
The Leddy Library congratulates Mr Thomas and his family for this latest induction and for the much-deserved national recognition.
We invite you to learn more about the Fabulous Fred Thomas and his Windsor Years."
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Across the River to Freedom lets you visit the town of Sandwich, either in person or online, and learn about its fascinating history. This is a project committed to moving forward by looking back at Sandwich’s rich and diverse history.
This website features three short documentary films, historical articles, a gallery of archival images, classroom activities and curriculum, as well as walking tours of historic Sandwich.”
“Southwestern Ontario’s historic Essex and Kent counties are rich in the history and culture of Black Canadians. From the bustling industrial city of Windsor to agricultural settlements and towns such as Amherstburg, Buxton, Chatham, Colchester, Dresden, Harrow, Maidstone, New Canaan, and Sandwich, the tapestry of this region is intricately woven with the triumphs, resilience, and enduring contributions of Black Canadians and their communities. Leddy Library’s
North Star: A Portal for Black History in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent serves as an entry point and guide through this rich and enduring history, providing suggested resources and recommendations for those looking to explore significant locations, communities, events, historical eras, and individuals integral to Ontario’s Black History.”
“Breaking the Colour Barrier: Wilfred ‘Boomer’ Harding & the Chatham Coloured All-Stars is one of several projects related to the Boomer Harding (1915-1991) scrapbooks donated to the University of Windsor. This website tells the story of the Chatham, Ontario baseball team who became the first Black team to win a provincial Ontario Baseball Amateur Association championship in 1934. In collecting oral histories from family and friends of these players, newspaper documentation of the 1934 season, artifacts about the team, and developing curricular resources for K-12 teachers and a traveling storyboard exhibit, this project conveys a rich and vital story about race, courage, and community in Southwestern Ontario in the early 20th century.”
Past Digital Book Displays
A digital collection of 23 books from the Leddy Library’s collection on the theme of Black History – Black Futures.
In 2022, The Leddy Library and the UWindsor community put together a digital reading list to recognize Black History Month, capturing broad areas of Black history.
Databases
Full list available on the Library’s databases page."Contains 1,297 sources with 1,098 authors, covering the non-fiction published works of leading African Americans. Where possible the complete published non-fiction works are included, as well as interviews, journal articles, speeches, essays, pamphlets, letters and other fugitive material."
"Coverage of blues, jazz, spirituals, civil rights songs, slave songs, minstrelsy, rhythm and blues, gospel, and other forms of black American musical expression through biography, discography, editorial, encyclopedia, essay, general reference, cover art, interview, liner notes, lyrics, and score."
"Offering fiction, poetry, and essays from three continents and 20 countries, the database gives a view of black women's struggles through time. New content is uploaded on a biweekly basis, giving users immediate access to a steadily growing treasury of extraordinary writings. The database currently features over 73,000 pages of poetry and prose from women from Africa and the African Diaspora."
"Contains approximately 1200 plays by 200 playwrights, together with detailed, fielded information on related productions, theaters, production companies, and more. The database also includes selected playbills, production photographs and other ephemera related to the plays."
Beyond Leddy
From the Windsor Public Library Digital Branch.
From the Amherstburg Freedom Museum.
From the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
From Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island.
From the University of Windsor Department of Continuing Education.
From RCI | English.
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