I am a community advocate and organizer that have been involved in promoting and advocating the interests of Black Canadians in Edmonton. Every summer I organize a Back to School Supply Drive for families in our community that are in need. These families include; refugees, new immigrants, homeless youth, youth at risk and families living below the poverty line. By reaching out and networking within the community we were able to collect this year, 101 backpacks filled with supplies for k-12 students, we also pack 22 teachers packs to help teachers in our communities that have low-income students.
I also organize a group of volunteers from our community to help with packing the backpacks and distribution. We distribute the supplies to I am a community advocate and organizer that have been involved in promoting and advocating the interests of Black Canadians in Edmonton. Know Your Name, Knowledge is Protest Conference. As a member of The Come Up, we planned and organized a two-day conference this fall for black youths and other people of color living in Edmonton to come together to learn, share their stores and educate them about their community and the resources that are available to them. I was fortunate to co-host the year’s conference for the two days. I was moved to hear our youths share their stores about racism, accomplishing their goals and planning for the future.
The “Little Black Book.” This book connects community members to business and services in our community that are operated and own by black citizens. From lawyers to hairdressers, to restaurants. We reached out to many businesses and business leaders to make the Little Black Book a success. I am proud to be a part of The Come Up team that help made this directory possible.
Family Day Dinner. This coming Family Day Holiday, February 18, 2019, I will be hosting a Family Day Dinner for members of our community. The aim of this dinner is to help tackle and reduce social isolation in our communities while connecting neighbours with resources and networks available to them.
The event will be extended to everyone in our community, with particular attention given to seniors, new Canadians, single parents and families living below the poverty line. I hope to have different African nationalities connecting and finding common ground over a meal, all while working to improve the lives of Black/ African Canadians in Alberta.
I am from the Caribbean island of Jamaica. I work as a Social Worker in my profession. I work with some of our most vulnerable community members. I support homeless youth’s find affordable and safe housing, support families and individual that has mental health concerns, helping them with finding a job and connecting with their communities. I work with adults involved in the criminal justice system. I recently signed on to be a mentor to black youths in our community. I am passionate about my community and I am passionate about helping advance Black/African Albertans progress and prosperity in this country.
