Browse Items (687 total)

A porter’s hat badge, made by the Pullman Company during the early twentieth century. The Pullman Company was the origin for the hiring of Black men as sleeping car porters; they began this tradition, and the CPR and CNR simply borrowed their…

Picture of Palais Royal in Toronto, a very well known leisure spot for dancing c. 1930s for white people only. After several protests from the Black communities in the area, they desegregated in 1947. Only after 27 years of being open as a dancing…

An illustration of the inside of a train car from 1887. Rows of white passengers are served food by a Black porter.

This quote by Cheryl Foggo shows how important Cheryl's Black heritage is to her. Many writers are influenced by their own lives, and for Cheryl, it was her Black heritage and that she is a woman that has the most influence in her life. She has…

Dawn Tyler Watson is a Canadian born jazz and blues singer and 2020 Juno music award winner. She put on an amazing performance at the 2025 Festival International de Montreal de Jazz, delivering a captivating set and showing her vocal talent.…

This map, taken from the well known gay Toronto magazine The Body Politic in their summer 1974 issue, depicts places around the city where queer social events and activities were held. These spots were primarily frequented and dominated by white gay…

This photo captures a festive moment as Santa Claus visits the Negro Community Centre, spreading holiday cheer to children and families in the neighbourhood. Holiday gatherings reinforce intergenerational ties, bringing together families, neighbours,…

This photo shows three young girls, Eleitha Haynes, Elizabeth Phillips, and Camille Haynes, participating in Brotherhood Week at the Negro Community Centre. Brotherhood Week was an annual program designed to introduce children to different countries,…

This photo of Oscar Peterson with his high school friends Michael and Tom Massiah captures the vibrant youth community of the St. Antoine District, where young people were actively supported and encouraged to explore their talents. Désirée Rochat,…