Building the pillars for a future community at a town hall organized by the Africa Centre at their headquarters in Edmonton, on November, 16,2024.
 
Leaders from the Afro Caribbean communities in Edmonton united to tackle challenges, seize opportunities, and amplify their collective voice for a stronger, more prosperous future.
 
Leaders from over three dozens African and Caribbean communities gathered to identify opportunities, exchange experiences, and discuss how to overcome challenges, build on each other’s experiences, and pave the way to a bright future.
 
The event was attended by 37 community leaders, Black leaders of inter generational groups, elders, other community stakeholders, and political leaders.
 
It provided an opportunity for community leaders to introduce themselves and establish connections around shared goals. During the breakout discussion, it was highlighted that many individuals are starting their own businesses. Some communities are even acquiring property and land, coming together to deal with common challenges. Many of the programs discussed focused on education, new businesses, and coaching for newcomers. The Africa Centre was identified as a key hub helping communities reach their objectives.
 
It was also noted that all communities face significant challenges, particularly with access to funding and grants, which often limits the resources necessary to successfully run programs.
 
While some subgroups have been created, they are not yet well-recognized. One major issue identified was the feeling that many community members have “one foot in Canada and one foot at home,” which complicates their ability to manage life here. The influence of drugs was also acknowledged as a growing issue within the communities, and the lack of support for employment was seen as a key barrier.
 
The main resolution discussed was the power of unity. It was emphasized that communities should find ways to collaborate to face these challenges. By unifying duplicate programs, they can create a stronger collective force, not through competition, but through complementing each other. It was suggested that the communities should unite with one voice to support larger initiatives benefiting the Black community.
 
A Fireside Chat with government leaders reiterated the government’s role in solving community issues, particularly in areas like affordability, utilities, public safety, and emergency services. The importance of avoiding competition within and between communities was emphasized, with a call for more sharing of experiences.
 
The need to identify as a unified country rather than focusing on cultural differences was stressed. It was also recommended that policies be put in place to support and improve volunteerism, providing opportunities for the next generation.
 
By speaking with one voice, the communities can be heard by government and other relevant entities. Community leaders were encouraged to provide race-based data and concrete evidence in line with provincial policies, to ensure that their applications for funding and grants are successful.
 
The event began with the introduction of Dr. Edna Wakene as the new Board Chair of the Africa Centre, who also did the closing remarks, thanking everyone for attending this first of a kind community get together.
 
In summary, the collective engagement of the community is essential for future growth and efforts to advocate for support from governments. By working together, the voice of the community can make a significant impact.
 
Here’s a summary of the outcomes that Diversity Magazine captured at the Town Hall Meeting of African Caribbean Country Association Leaders on Nov 16, 2024.
 
What is working really well in the country associations?
 
1. New immigrants supported by older immigrants.
2. Need for educational programs such as health education.
3. Creating sub-groups representing all segments of the community, such as youth and seniors groups
4. Using collective community contributions to own land and purchase and own cultural
centres. This brings a lot of freedom, and builds equity over time.
 
What are some of the challenges facing the country groups.
 
1. Funding is big challenge, particularly operational funding for country associations and Black nonprofits.
2. Find ways to break the divide created by western culture – bridge Caribbean and African cultures.
3. Africa Centre should not be a competitor but a means to achieving our ends.
4. Intergenerational disconnect – gap between newcomers and older immigrants.
5. Getting volunteers – we seem to be losing the culture of volunteerism.
6. Struggling with preservation of language and culture.
7. Mental health stress within communities.
8. Lack of collective action.
9. Operating in silos.
10. Unemployment.
 
How can we work together as one people to solve the challenges identified in the last round?
 
1. We need a place where we can come together as Black communities and have culturally appropriate recreational, social, and business services.
2. We are all in support of the Africa Centre leading the African Multicultural Centre project. This centre will solve a lot of the problems we are facing with regards to access.
3. Africa Centre can serve as an information hub and create a database for nonprofits organizations, so our communities know where to go for help.
4. We as country associations should consider offering programs beyond just our cultural and country associations, but reaching out to other country associations who might have similar needs. A shift from competing to complimenting each other’s programs.
5. Explore partnership and collaborative opportunities – “Africa Centre to continue organizing these meetings, they are very helpful in connecting us”.
 
6. Governments are not doing enough, we need to come together and co-sign a document like we did with AMCC petition, so that Africa Centre can lobby governments for more support.
7. The Government of Alberta particularly is doing very little to support Black communities – “let’s speak with one voice to governments regarding the support we have identified”.
8. Africa Centre to look into creating a lobby entity for black businesses and general economic participation.
9. Mentorship programs for youth and employment mentorship.
10. We need a community calender – one stop hub.
11. Public policy that has impact on Black communities in Edmonton – based on our
collective agreement.
12. We also need to back the advocacy this with our own data, the demographic data of
Black people.
 
Actions for implementation from the Town-Hall….
 
1. Submit AMCC petition to the City Administration, and continue stawarding the project.
2. Gather high level demographic data of black Edmontonians/Alberta/Western Canada
and National.
3. Write to the Government of Alberta/lobby for resources and access for black
communities.
4. Africa Centre to create a lobby entity for Black businesses and general economic participation of Black entrepreneurs in Alberta.
5. Africa Centre to be stronger/bolder in its advocacy for public policy reform with all three levels of government.
6. Africa Centre to continue identifying resources for Black not for profits and
country/cultural associations.
7. Africa Centre to create a community calendar and database so communities can know about programs, activities and services.
8. Africa Centre to continue convening annual Town Halls so Black country associations,
cultural associations and nonprofit organizations can come together annually.
 

Bâtir les piliers d’une future communauté lors d’une assemblée organisée par le Africa Centre à son siège social à Edmonton, le 16 novembre 2024.

Les leaders des communautés afro-caribéennes d’Edmonton se sont réunis pour relever les défis, saisir les opportunités et amplifier leur voix collective en vue d’un avenir plus fort et prospère.

Des dirigeants de plus de trente communautés africaines et caribéennes se sont rassemblés pour identifier des opportunités, partager leurs expériences et discuter de solutions pour surmonter les défis, s’appuyer mutuellement et tracer la voie vers un avenir prometteur.

Participation et discussions clés :

L’événement a réuni 37 leaders communautaires, des dirigeants noirs de groupes intergénérationnels, des aînés, d’autres parties prenantes communautaires et des responsables politiques.

Ce rassemblement a permis aux leaders communautaires de se présenter et de nouer des liens autour d’objectifs communs. Lors des discussions en petits groupes, plusieurs points ont été soulignés :

  • De nombreuses personnes lancent leurs propres entreprises.
  • Certaines communautés acquièrent des propriétés et des terrains pour s’unir face aux défis communs.
  • Les programmes prioritaires concernent l’éducation, le soutien aux nouvelles entreprises et le mentorat pour les nouveaux arrivants.

Le Africa Centre a été identifié comme un centre clé aidant les communautés à atteindre leurs objectifs. Cependant, des défis importants ont été notés :

  • L’accès limité aux financements et subventions restreint les ressources nécessaires pour mener à bien les programmes.
  • Certaines sous-groupes communautaires ne sont pas encore bien reconnus.
  • Des membres de la communauté éprouvent des difficultés à concilier leur vie au Canada et leurs attaches à leur pays d’origine.
  • Les problèmes liés à la drogue et au manque de soutien à l’emploi continuent de croître.

Résolution principale : L’unité comme force collective

L’accent a été mis sur l’importance de la collaboration entre les communautés pour relever ces défis :

  • En unifiant des programmes similaires, les communautés peuvent devenir une force collective plus puissante, non pas en rivalisant, mais en se complétant.
  • Une voix unifiée est essentielle pour soutenir de grandes initiatives qui profitent à l’ensemble de la communauté noire.

Points abordés lors d’une discussion avec des responsables gouvernementaux :

  • Le rôle des gouvernements pour résoudre les problèmes communautaires dans des domaines comme l’accessibilité financière, les services publics, la sécurité publique et les services d’urgence.
  • La nécessité de partager davantage d’expériences au lieu de se concentrer sur des différences culturelles.
  • L’importance de politiques favorisant le bénévolat et offrant des opportunités à la prochaine génération.

Recommandations pour maximiser l’impact :

  • Les communautés doivent fournir des données spécifiques basées sur la race et des preuves concrètes, alignées sur les politiques provinciales, pour garantir des subventions et des financements réussis.
  • Une meilleure identification collective, dépassant les frontières culturelles individuelles, est nécessaire pour améliorer la visibilité et les efforts de plaidoyer.

Lancement de la nouvelle présidence :

L’événement a débuté par la présentation de la Dre Edna Wakene comme nouvelle présidente du conseil d’administration de l’Africa Centre. Elle a clôturé la réunion en remerciant tous les participants pour leur présence à ce premier rassemblement communautaire de ce type.

Points clés et actions proposées :

Ce qui fonctionne bien dans les associations de pays :

  1. Soutien des nouveaux immigrants par les anciens.
  2. Programmes éducatifs, notamment en matière de santé.
  3. Création de sous-groupes (jeunes, seniors) pour représenter toutes les parties de la communauté.
  4. Contribution collective pour acquérir et gérer des centres culturels, renforçant la liberté et l’équité.

Défis rencontrés par les groupes communautaires :

  1. Manque de financement opérationnel pour les associations et organisations à but non lucratif.
  2. Divisions culturelles entre les cultures africaines et caribéennes.
  3. Décalage intergénérationnel entre nouveaux arrivants et anciens immigrants.
  4. Difficultés à préserver les langues et les cultures.
  5. Stress lié à la santé mentale et au chômage.

Solutions envisagées :

  1. Création d’un centre multifonctionnel offrant des services adaptés aux besoins des communautés noires.
  2. Renforcement du rôle du Africa Centre comme un point central pour les ressources et informations.
  3. Encouragement de la collaboration entre associations pour partager les programmes.
  4. Organisation annuelle de rencontres pour connecter les communautés et promouvoir une action collective.

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