This February, McGill Libraries marked Black History Month (BHM) with an event and displays that honoured Black excellence, scholarship, and storytelling – past and present.
A highlight of the month was the book launch of Genius Unbroken: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Charles R. Drew at the Osler Library of the History of Medicine. Co-authored by cardiovascular surgeon Craig Alan Miller and neuroscientist and civic leader Charlene Drew Jarvis, the book offers the first comprehensive biography of McGill alumnus Dr. Charles R. Drew – the pioneering physician known as the “Father of the Blood Bank.”
Born in Washington, D.C., at the turn of the twentieth century, Dr. Drew rose to international prominence through his groundbreaking work in blood and plasma preservation, establishing the first large-scale blood bank and transforming modern medicine. Beyond his scientific achievements, he was a powerful advocate for civil rights and equitable health care. The event at Osler brought together members of the McGill community and the public to reflect on Dr. Drew’s extraordinary legacy.
In the Redpath Library building, a curated book display highlighted Black Canadian voices and stories across genres and disciplines, inviting readers to discover authors whose work shapes our national and cultural landscape. Complementing the physical display, an electronic virtual display features 2026 BHM highlights, extending the celebration online and ensuring broad access to materials that centre Black history, creativity, and scholarship.
Looking for more BHM related resources?
Related book displays
- Black History Month on Libby
- Black History on Libby
- Black and Indigenous Racialization & Resistance
- Works of fiction by BIPOC authors
- Diverse Fantasy & Science Fiction
Libguides
- African History
- African Studies
- Anti-Black Racism
- Black Canadian Studies
- Black, Indigenous, people of colour (BIPOC) musicians
- HIST 201: Modern African History
- HIST 327: Age of the American Revolution
- HIST 366: History of Haiti
- HIST 397: Canada: Migration & Ethnicity
- HIST 574: Topics in U.S. History: African North Americans and Citizenship
- HIST 598: Topics in Modern U.S. History: Voting Rights History since 1865
- Jazz
- Middle East, North Africa & South Asia History
- PHIL 327: Philosophy of Race
- POLI 359: Rivalries in the Middle East and North Africa
- U.S. History
- World History
Video streaming services
- Kanopy
- Docuseek2 Black History Month Sampler (documentary films)
- Criterion on Demand
- National Film Board’s Black Communities in Canada
- Qwest.tv (dedicated to jazz, soul, funk, and world music)
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.