'You're always alone': 4 takes on being black in British Columbia

Black History Month is February, but talks about racism and discrimination are always on the minds of black Canadians.

The CBC met up with four people who attended an anti-racism conference at Pinetree Secondary School in Coquitlam to talk about what it's like being black in British Columbia.

Provincial courtJudge David St. Pierre,artist Khari Wendell McClelland, and high school students Roy Quaynor and Alexandra Mandewoshare experiences of discrimination, but also highlight what they love about being black.

Watch the video in the player

Being black in B.C.

4 years ago

Duration 3:44

Four people talk about what its like to be black in Metro Vancouver and share advice on how to overcome racism and discrimination.

While 3.5 per centof Canadians identify as black according to Statistics Canada, the majority are in Ontario.In B.C., they make up oneper cent of the population.

Black history monthwas officially recognized in Canada 25 years ago, when the first black Canadian woman elected to Parliament,Jean Augustine, introduced the motion inthe House of Commons. It passed unanimously.

It's unclear when the celebration was declared in British Columbia, but the City of Vancouver passed a motion in 2011 designating Black History Month as a civic special event with funding.

This month, CBC.ca is bringing together stories from across the country about being black in Canada, you can find them all at cbc.ca/beingblackincanada