“The original intention of Black History Month was for Black people to come together during February to share what they discussed throughout the whole year. The poster I create stays up in a lot of places the whole year because it doesn’t say Black History Month, so it doesn’t have a date stamp on it.”

Follow these 5 tips for a happy, healthy holiday season and start the new year off right!

Freed slaves, the Davenport brothers, built the Hillsdale Hotel (also known as Alma House, O’Neil Tavern, O’Neil House and Simcoe House) in the Springwater Township of Simcoe County, Ont., in 1882. The building currently stands to be demolished after its owners requested a demolition permit in 2009 but agreed to delay demolition.

In Dancing Lessons, Jamaican-Canadian author Olive Senior gives us the story of G, a remarkable character whose story unfolds in the form of a series of meandering notebook entries.

Rosemary Sadlier ponders the significance of celebrating our accomplishments throughout the year.

“Maya Angelou inspires me. She is phenomenally awesome. She lifts my mind, soul and body.”

An award-winning filmmaker, Wilkinson directed the short films Girls Who Say Yes, Instant Dread and Dandelions.

As founder and director of the Black Pioneer Heritage Singers, Jamerson strives to preserve the vocal and musical craft her people brought with them from the U.S. to Alberta a century ago.

Besides their ridiculously stylish names, Kiwi, Nimo and Metzti ooze enviable sartorial skill without a whiff of pretension. They’re just cool-looking chicks who wear what they like, wear it really well and don’t mind sharing. In the seasonal spirit of giving, they’ve graciously spilled on their favourite shops, sources of inspiration and the $7 purchase that could change your life—or at least your wardrobe.

You were my first love. I fell in love with you at 16. When we met, I was dazzled by your charm. You smelled sweet and offered me everything a girl could ever want. I saw some warning signs when some of the products I needed were not on your shelves, but chose to ignore them.