Following a request from the Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA), The Mayor’s Office of Olivia Chow has proclaimed June of 2026 as Black Music Month.

First proclaimed by former American President Jimmy Carter in 1979, the original purpose of this month was to highlight the deep influence of African American Music. In a Canadian context, Black Music Month highlights how Black Canadian artists have helped shape and enrich the nation’s musical landscape and cultural identity.

2026 marks the fourth proclamation issued by the Toronto Mayor’s Office at the behest of the CBMA. The first was made by former Mayor John Tory after a request from the Music Managers Forum in 2019. The CBMA followed suit in 2023 and onwards.

In this year’s proclamation, the Mayor’s Office of Olivia Chow acknowledges that Black Canadian music is “present in everyday culture”. As Black Canadian artists like Kardinal Offishall and Deborah Cox prepare to represent the city at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the influence of Black Canadian Music on Toronto’s landscape is more evident than ever.

This June, the CBMA invites our audience to celebrate all the Black musicians that Canada has to offer. From trailblazers to the rising artists, they enhance arts and culture nationwide.

You can find the link to the full proclamation here: Black Music Month Proclamation