Hamilton nurse and doctor to be honoured in Black History Month celebrations

A new HSR bus wrap by artist Stylo Starr honouring Queen Cee was unveiled at the launch of Hamilton's Black History Month, and the city is recognising the late Dr. Anthony MacFarlane and nurse Ona Allen through the 'We Are Hamilton — Black History Remembered' project.

Stylo Starr's artwork now appears on a Hamilton Street Railway bus as part of the city's Black History Month launch. The wrap honours local artist Queen Cee and includes interior signage that shares her story. The event at the Hamilton Public Library Central Branch was organised by the Hamilton Black History Council with partners, and the 2026 theme is "Honouring Our Past. Healing Our Futures," with emphasis on Black health and wellness. As part of the program, the city named honourees who contributed to local health and community life. Key details: - Hamilton Street Railway unveiled a bus wrap by Stylo Starr celebrating Queen Cee, and Starr also designed interior signage replacing some advertisements to highlight Queen Cee's work. - The launch event was held at the Hamilton Public Library Central Branch and involved the Hamilton Black History Council, Black-led organisations, the City of Hamilton, and the library. - The 2026 Black History Month theme is "Honouring Our Past. Healing Our Futures," and the program emphasized Black health and wellness. - A Black health community advisory table was launched at the event as part of this year's activities. - The late Dr. Anthony (Tony) MacFarlane and the late nurse Ona Allen were named as this year's honourees for the "We Are Hamilton — Black History Remembered" project; MacFarlane practised in Hamilton for nearly five decades and died in May 2025, and Allen was the first Black nurse at Hamilton General Hospital and died in April 2025. Summary: The launch combined public art, community programming and recognition of local health leaders, underscoring connections between culture and wellness in Hamilton. The "We Are Hamilton" project continues to record and honour local Black contributors, and a new Black health community advisory table was introduced as part of this year's activities.