For half a century, it was known to outsiders for its good food and great music, but to its residents, Hogan’s Alley represented community, a place where entrepreneurial spirit and civil activism were woven into the fabric of life.

Vancouver’s first Black community, Hogan’s Alley flourished in the early 20th century when it was home to many Black porters who, through their unions, would later fight to gain recognition for Black Canadians within the labour movement. Women also played a central role in this community, many emerging as prominent organizers and entrepreneurs, operating restaurants and speakeasies that became not only local favourites, but cultural institutions that cemented the area’s reputation as a vibrant hub. Sadly, the community was lost in the 1960s when despite protests and resistance, the city began levelling it in the name of urban renewal—a devastating blow to its residents. The displacement and erasure of the Black community in Hogan’s Alley have had long-lasting effects.

Gone but not forgotten, Hogan’s Alley, its rich cultural mosaic, and the many contributions made by its residents—workers and activists, artists and athletes, business owners and community builders—are honoured on this 2025 Commemorating Black History coin.