Black Studies Center

The Black Studies Center is a not-for-profit community organization and registered charity in Montreal, Quebec. The Black Studies Center was founded by Dr. Clarence Bayne, Adrien Espinet and Leighton Hutson in January 1973.

The Center has its origins in the Research Institute of the National Black Coalition of Canada which was founded by Dr. Clarence Bayne and operated from 1971 to 1974. At the time of its foundation, the mission of the Black Studies Center was to protect the interests of Black people in Quebec, to help improve their economic status, and to create and foster organizational structures improving their position in society. In addition, the Center works to improve communications within the Montreal Black community by promoting Black culture through its many cultural programs and by building up research centers promoting and facilitating the study of Black history. The Black Studies Center continues to organize workshops, conferences, exhibitions, and other events, and partners with other community organizations and educational institutions in order to offer varied programming geared towards Black youth and other community organizations. Over the years, the Black Studies Center has partnered with and housed other community organizations, including the Black Theater Workshop, the Black Community Council of Quebec, Women on the Rise, and the Quebec Board of Black Educators. It continues to work in collaboration with the Institute for Community Entrepreneurship and Development (ICED) and the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University.

The Black Studies Center is governed by a board of directors. It is member of the Black Community Council of Quebec and has a seat on the Board of Directors at the Black Community Resource Centre. During the course of its operations, the Black Studies Center has gathered extensive documentation on the histories, contributions, and experiences of Black communities in Montreal, Quebec, and Canada. It conducts “extensive research on the social, political and economic status of Black populations in Montreal and Canada; and [has] presented several briefs on the issues to all levels of Government and to the general public and commissions.” The Black Studies Center receives funding from the Government of Canada and Government of Quebec.

Between 1972 and 2014 the Black Studies Center was located at 1968 De Maisonneuve boulevard in Montreal. The building, which was belonging to the Black Studies Center, was sold in 2014 and proceeds from the sale were used to set up the SC Charitable Activity Funding Program. Money from the trust is used to finance the new home at 3333 Cavendish boulevard, Montreal, where the center is currently located.

2021-12-14