Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking Black Excellence Day:
“Black people and communities have helped build British Columbia. We take the opportunity today, on the third annual Black Excellence Day marked by the province, to celebrate those achievements and honour those experiences.
“Black people have a long history in this province, and their story has too often been overlooked or discounted. All British Columbians should know more about these contributions if we are to be a more inclusive province, which benefits us all.
“The term ‘Black excellence’ became prominent in the social movements of the 1960s. Black Excellence Day is an opportunity for each of us to learn more about Black role models in our shared history. We all benefit from knowing about the resiliency of Black communities in overcoming hardships while fighting for equality and social justice for every person.”
Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care, said:
“Empowering students and staff to identify and respond to racism and discrimination helps build learning environments where every student feels safe and included. The K-12 Anti-Racism Action Plan has been a critical step forward to improve the school experience for racialized students, staff and families as we continue this important work.”
Jessie Sunner, parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives, said:
“Black Excellence Day is an opportunity for us to honour the resilience, achievements and rich heritage of Black people in British Columbia. Unfortunately, Black communities continue to face systemic barriers and discrimination that hamper their potential for success. Work is well underway to implement the Province’s Anti-Racism Act, which targets systemic barriers to accessing government programs and services. As part of this, we will be seeking feedback directly from Black communities throughout B.C. on the specific challenges they face.
“Today is a chance for us to celebrate Black identity. It also serves as a call to action for all of us to continue to support and uplift Black voices and experiences. By recognizing the excellence within B.C.’s Black communities, we are taking another step toward building a province where everyone, regardless of race, feels seen, valued and empowered.”