The annual Carifete celebrated in Black Montreal; credit Jeangagnon/Wiki Commons
Black Montreal
Today, blacks in Montréal span the diaspora, including Africans, Haitians, Black Canadians, West Indians, and others.
History varies, so it is not conclusively known when the first black settlements were established here. But some say it was the mid-1600s. Nevertheless, as in other parts of North America, slavery was legal here. Canada abolished it in the mid-1800s. As such, many of today’s black descendants were both native-born and people brought here in servitude.
Today, you will find people of black descent—including a large contingent of African Americans—scattered all over the city. There are also several historic black neighborhoods where you can enjoy a wealth of Afrocentric entities including bars, restaurants, community centers, retail shops, hair salons and barber shops, clothing boutiques, and more.
Among them are Little Burgundy (which at one time was known as the “Harlem of the North”), Montréal-Nord, LaSalle, Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension, and Pierrefonds-Roxboro. You can get your hair and nails done here.
Among some of the key annual events of interest to black travelers and denizens here are the AFROMONDE Festival, which blends traditional Afrocentric culture, fashion, music, food, and visual arts.
The large and joyous Carifête (Carifesta Montréal) celebrates the Caribbean community with parades, steelpan performances, great cuisine, and more
The Montréal Jazz Festival has been delighting jazz fans from all over the world since 1980. It should be a bucket list item for Jazz musicians.
Black churches, which like all other places in the world provide a place of worship and community, include Union Congregational Church (one of the oldest Black congregations in Canada), Nation of Islam of Canada Muhammad’s Temple #4, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, and Imani Family and Full Gospel Church, among numerous others.
A great way to learn more about black history in Montréal is to embark on a tour with Black Montréal Experiences which, according to their website, “chronicles the presence and history of the Black Community of Montréal and its significant impact on local and international culture.”
For an informative curated walking tour in the city visit https://www.blackmontrealexperiences.com