Black History Month

UNB Art Centre recognizes Black History Month with Rediscovering the Roots of Black New Brunswickers. This special ongoing research project engages UNB students and members of the black community in bringing to light those Black New Brunswickers who have made a significant contribution to shaping contemporary New Brunswick in their fight for freedom and equality.

The UNB Art Centre wishes to acknowledge the work done by UNB students who have contributed to the research for Rediscovering the Roots of Black New Brunswickers: Carlie Manners (2019-20), Emma Allen (2020-21), Harrison Dressler (2021-22) and Brad Ackerson (2022-23).

This project also relies on the knowledge and expertise of Mary McCarthy-Brandt, an educator, advocate and elder in New Brunswick's Black community as well as Jennifer Dow, a researcher and genealogist who is uncovering their stories.

The hard work and dedication of these people has allowed the UNB Art Centre to discover and honour the people who have helped to shape contemporary New Brunswick in their fight for freedom and equality.

During Black History Month, banners featuring the portraits of these outstanding individuals are on display on the streets of downtown Fredericton.

• Abraham Beverley Walker (JPG, 769 KB) | Canada's first Afro-Canadian lawyer
• Albert John Leek (JPG, 679 KB) | Soldier
• Ann "Known as Nancy" (JPG, 936 KB) | Sued for her freedom
• Anna Minerva Henderson (JPG, 949 KB) | Civil servant, poet
• Arthur Wallace "Duke" Eatman (JPG, 915 KB) | WWII military leader
• Arthur St. George Richardson (JPG, 1.1 MB) | First Black person to attend UNB
• Arthur "Seymour" Tyler (JPG, 998 KB) | Soldier
• Betty Riley (JPG, 1 MB) | Television producer
• Brian Carty (JPG, 902 KB) | Social worker, professor
• Carl Howe (JPG, 965 KB) | Athlete, city councillor
• Carl White (JPG, 1.2 MB) | Activist, politician
• Carol Howe (JPG, 1.4 MB) | Entrepreneur, master stylist
• Chester Eatmon (JPG, 1.1 MB) | Harness racer
• Chris Skinner (JPG, 789 KB) | Professional athlete
• Clyde A. Wray (JPG, 882 KB) | Author/Director
• David Peters (JPG, 1.2 MB) | Chef de cuisine, proprietor, historian
• Dexter Noel (JPG, 1.5 MB) | Academic
• Dr. Constance Timberlake (JPG, 892 KB) | Educator and civil rights activist
• Cornelius Sparrow (JPG, 930 KB) | Entrepreneur and business owner
• Edward Mitchell Bannister (JPG, 749 KB) | Artist
• Eldridge 'Gus' Eatman (JPG, 932 KB) | World champion sprinter
• Eliza Taylor (JPG, 1.1 MB) | Belle of Loch Lomond
• Errol Williams (JPG, 743 KB) | Documentary filmmaker
• Franklin "Frank" Henderson (JPG, 846 KB) | Athlete
• Fred Hodges (JPG, 887 KB) | Labour leader and politician
• Gabriel Johnson (JPG, 851 KB) | Mariner
• George Hector (JPG, 963 KB) | The whistling banjoman
• Georgina Whetsel (JPG, 984 KB) | Entrepreneur
• James Arthur "Skip" Talbot (JPG, 811 KB) | Trailblazer in telecommunications and electronics
• John Henry Hamilton and Walter Hamilton (JPG, 990 KB) | Inventors
• John Young (JPG, 751 KB) | Soldier, volunteer
• Joseph Drummond (JPG, 775 KB) | Civil rights activist
• Kassim Doumbia (JPG, 963 KB) | First Black mayor in New Brunswick
• Lena O'Ree (JPG, 695 KB) | Civil rights activist
• Louis Sterling Lawrence (JPG, 817 KB) | Athlete and boxer
• Lylia Halfkenny (JPG, 931 KB) | First Black Maritime-born person to graduate from a Maritime post-secondary institution
• Mary Louise McCarthy (JPG, 758 KB) | Community activist and scholar
• Mary Matilda Winslow (JPG, 749 KB) | First Black woman to attend UNB
• Measha Brueggergosman (JPG, 1.1 MB) | Opera singer
• Naomi Drummond Leslie (JPG, 796 KB) | Activist and community organizer
• Nicodemus Moses Skinner (JPG, 750 KB) | Merchant
• Raymond Cecil Lawrence (JPG, 728 KB) | Sailor
• Ralph "Tiger" Thomas (JPG, 724 KB) | Community activist
• Randolph George Hope (JPG, 985 KB) | Merchant marine
• Richard Corankapoon Wheeler (JPG, 1 MB) | Black Loyalist leader
• Robb Costello (JPG, 832 KB) | Police constable
• Robert Lawrence Henry (JPG, 771 KB) | Soldier, WWII
• Terry Dymond (JPG, 1.1 MB) | Athlete
• The Bohee Brothers (JPG, 755 KB) | Musicians
• The Carty Brothers (JPG, 806 KB) | Military service
• Thomas Peters (JPG, 1 MB) | Loyalist leader
• Vincent Churchill McIntyre (JPG, 975 KB) | Professional athlete
• Major Walter Peters (JPG, 733 KB) | Royal Canadian Air Force Pilot
• Willie O'Ree (JPG, 752 KB) | First Black Player in the NHL