Lethbridge Polytechnic kicks off 10th annual Black History Month

By Lethbridge Herald on February 4, 2026.

Herald photo by Alexandra Noad Herald photo by ALEXANDRA NOAD Jody-Anne Smikle speaks at the Black History Month kick off at Lethbridge Polytechnic on Tuesday.

BY Alexandra Noad

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter- Lethbridge Herald

The Centre Core of Lethbridge Polytechnic was a bright array of traditional African clothing as the Polytechnic opened up Black History Month by having speeches and a chance to try a traditional Nigerian treat on Tuesday.

This year marks 30 years of February being recognized as Black History Month in Canada and 10 years of Lethbridge Polytechnic celebrating Black History Month.

Lethbridge Polytechnic hosts many international students, one of them being Jody-Ann Smikle, a second-year Digital Communications and Media student from Jamaica.

She says to see the polytechnic celebrate Black History Month means a lot to her as she felt seen and heard.

“I am very proud to be a black woman here at the Polytechnic and have them show that they actually see us and we’re being heard.”

Living in a different country took some adjustment for Smikle as she learned to navigate a different cuisine and the harsh Canadian winters, but through it all she felt a warm welcome to Canada.

Seeing the beautiful attire along with heartwarming speeches about how other black individuals have overcome challenges, gave Smikle some hope as she was able to relate to many of the experiences shared.

“To hear the speeches and some experiences they’ve gone through, it’s disheartening and to see they were not beaten down, but they rose above adversity, that gave me hope.”

It was only 70 years ago, when Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to move from her seat on the bus to accommodate a white passenger.

Even today, black people still face discrimination and believe there is still a long way to go.

Markham Johnson, a service specialist for testing services at Lethbridge Polytechnic, says he has personally felt the effects of discrimination and hopes to one day see a world where everyone is treated as equals.

“We have so much work to do and while there are great people around…I wish the world could see that we’re all one people and this will just stop, but it’s a fight.”

Johnson encourages everyone to educate themselves through both recourses available and making connections and learn from people themselves, not just during the month of February, but year-round.

“One of our students today, he spoke and said it was really great when somebody could go up to you and say ‘hey, I know you’re not from Canada but tell me about your culture.’ Simple things like that, to learn about somebody’s culture, it takes nothing.”

The Polytechnic will be hosting several different events throughout February including a take home meal kit of a traditional Nigerian dish, a panel discussion and will conclude with a fashion show at the end of the month.