New Brunswick Black History Society

A wonderful opportunity to celebrate African culture, history, and Black contributions in New Brunswick! 🌍🖤

The New Brunswick Black History Society was pleased to take part in the African Sculpture Festival. The festival allowed us to connect with the community, share our mission, and highlight the importance of preserving Black history in New Brunswick.

Through meaningful conversations, we also had the opportunity to highlight historical figures such as Thomas Peters, born in present-day Nigeria, whose remarkable journey reflects the deep connections between African history and the history of Black communities in New Brunswick.

The festival was also a valuable opportunity to meet community members, introduce more people to our museum, share our history and location, and remind everyone that our heritage is a collective treasure that deserves to be known, preserved, and passed on to future generations.

Thank you to the organizers and to everyone who stopped by, shared in the conversations, and showed interest in our work.

Our history brings us together. Our heritage belongs to us all. 🖤

A truly meaningful and emotional moment at the New Brunswick Black History Society! Paul Sims Sr. and Paul Sims Jr. travelled a long way to search for their ancestor, George Hector. This visit gave them an opportunity to reconnect with a family history that spans generations.
With the support of the New Brunswick Black History Society team, under the guidance of Dr. Ralph Thomas, they were able to leave with joy, meaningful memories, and a deeper connection to their roots.
Moments like this highlight the importance of preserving, documenting, and making Black history in New Brunswick accessible to the community. Behind every name, every family, and every search is a human story that deserves to be rediscovered, shared, and passed on to future generations. 🖤

It was a pleasure to welcome representatives of the Black Business and Professional Network (BBPN) to the New Brunswick Black History Society for a guided visit.
The visit provided an opportunity to explore the history, stories, and heritage preserved at the Society while creating space for meaningful conversation and connection between two organizations committed to strengthening New Brunswick’s Black community.
Visits like this remind us that history, culture, professional development, and community empowerment are deeply connected. By bringing organizations, professionals, and community leaders together, we create opportunities to learn from one another, build stronger relationships, and inspire future generations.
The New Brunswick Black History Society is proud to welcome community organizations such as BBPN and to contribute to building stronger connections across New Brunswick.
Thank you to the BBPN representatives for taking the time to visit and engage with our history and heritage. We look forward to continued opportunities for collaboration and connection. 🖤

🖤 Emancipation Day 2026 | August 1

The New Brunswick Black History Society (NBBHS) was proud to participate in Emancipation Day at Kings Landing on August 1, 2026.

It was a meaningful opportunity to honour the history, resilience, and contributions of Black communities, while sharing stories and engaging with visitors about Black history in New Brunswick.

Emancipation Day reminds us to remember the journey to freedom, honour those who came before us, and continue telling our stories.

We are grateful to Kings Landing for its continued collaboration and for helping create space each year to honour and share Black History.

🌟 A Special Visit to the New Brunswick Black History Society

The New Brunswick Black History Society (NBBHS) was honoured to welcome Carl White and his family to our Heritage Centre in Saint John.

A respected community activist and former municipal politician, Carl White has dedicated many years to community service, human rights, inclusion, and the advancement of Black communities in New Brunswick.

Born in Saint John, Mr. White has made significant contributions to the community through his work with the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission, municipal government, community organizations, sports initiatives, and PRUDE (Pride of Race, Unity and Dignity through Education), where he served as President from 1983 to 1993.

His visit to the NBBHS Heritage Centre was a meaningful opportunity to welcome a person whose life and community involvement are part of the broader history of Black New Brunswick.

At the New Brunswick Black History Society, we are proud to research, document, preserve, and share the history and contributions of Black people in New Brunswick.

We are grateful to Carl White and his family for visiting us and sharing this special moment with our team. Visits like this remind us of the importance of preserving our history and creating opportunities for generations to connect with it.

📍 Visit the NBBHS Heritage Centre
Brunswick Square, Level 2
39 King Street, Suite R2
Saint John, NB E2L 4W3

📞 506-214-2316
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.nbblackhistorysociety.org

🇨🇦 It was a pleasure representing the New Brunswick Black History Society at the Saint John Newcomers International Cultural Festival this past weekend. Thank you for celebrating diversity, culture, and community connections.

🇫🇷 Ce fut un plaisir de représenter la New Brunswick Black History Society lors du Festival international des cultures de Saint John Newcomers le week-end dernier. Merci de célébrer la diversité, la culture et le rapprochement communautaire.

What a meaningful Emancipation Weekend!

Last weekend, NBBHS was honored to celebrate, educate, and connect with communities across the province as we commemorated Emancipation Day.

Here’s a glimpse of the moments we shared:

✨ Welcoming campers from the BGC Leadership Camp to the NBBHS Heritage Centre for an engaging guided tour.

📚 Attending the “Still Here” Emancipation Celebration, including the grand opening, book launch, and exhibition launch — a powerful celebration of Black families whose histories in New Brunswick stretch back to the 1700s.

🕊️ Commemorating Emancipation Day at Kings Landing, honoring stories of freedom, resilience, and the enduring contributions of people of African descent.

🌳 Joining W.A.B.C.'s Annual Picnic for a wonderful celebration of heritage and community.

🌍 Closing out the weekend by celebrating culture, diversity, and inclusion at the Saint John Newcomer Centre’s International Culture Fest.

It was a weekend filled with learning, reflection, celebration, and meaningful connections.

Thank you to everyone who engaged with us throughout the weekend. Together, we continue to preserve, promote, and share New Brunswick’s Black history🖤❤️💚

Another exciting week at NBBHS!

Last week was a lively, inspiring, and meaningful week for all of us at NBBHS!

We had the privilege of:
✨ Leading a Black History Walking Tour of Uptown Saint John.
✨ Attending the Provincial Celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent.
✨ Participating in the Saint John Newcomer Centre's Red Carpet Appreciation Event for the 2026 International Culture fest.

Each experience reminded us of the incredible power of history, culture, and community. We are grateful to everyone who continues to support our mission of researching, documenting, preserving, and sharing the rich history of Black New Brunswickers.

Together, we are building bridges, inspiring learning, and ensuring these important stories are preserved and shared with present and future generations. ❤️🖤💛

Black Business Initiative (BBI) invites young people to join the Barrier Breakers Youth Program.

Build leadership skills, connect with peers, explore Black history and culture, and make a positive impact in your community.

See the poster below for more details:

This week, NBBHS was thrilled to welcome summer campers from the ONE Change Summer Camp to the Heritage Centre!

With more than 50 campers joining us over two interactive sessions, the Heritage Centre was filled with bright, curious young minds eager to learn about the rich history, heritage, and contributions of Black New Brunswickers. Their thoughtful questions and engagement made for a truly rewarding afternoon.

A heartfelt thank you to the team for including us in your summer programming - it was indeed an honor!