blog
The stories systems tell: Breaking down anti-Black barriers to build a better future
By Heather Corbin, Communications & Resource Development Officer, Access Alliance
Stories, histories, and what we don’t know
Across Canada last month a light was shone on stories often left in the shadows. Stories from our past, that challenge stereotypes and re-examine historical inaccuracies, while highlighting exceptional individuals hidden in our history.
February’s Black History Month amplifies the stories of remarkable achievements and contributions of Black Canadians. An invitation to learn, listen, and grow our understanding of Canada’s rich, diverse Black communities, Black History Month is also an opportunity to double down on our commitment to equity and inclusion. This year’s theme was “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate, a Future to Build.” Celebrating past and present Black excellence, and supporting an inclusive and equitable future demands awareness, intention and action. We must address the anti-Black racism embedded in our policies, practices, and institutions. This is done in the stories we share and the systems we support, every month of the year.
Co-founder of Black Lives Matter Toronto Janaya Khan points out that, “Privilege isn’t about what you’ve gone through; it’s about what you haven’t had to go through. And right now, we are in a time that is calling on us to learn the stories that we don’t know.” We can know more and different stories by seeking out new tellers, and by being open to learning new things while unlearning what we think we already know to be true. As a healthcare and community services organization, Access Alliance values equity, access and inclusion. We strive to enhance our knowledge, be attentive to our communities’ needs, and pay close attention to the evidence shaping the narratives that guide us.
During Black History Month we hosted viewings of the documentary “Speakers for the Dead” for our clients and community. It tells the story of a small town in rural Ontario that struggles to restore a Black cemetery. The film looks at our collective history, telling about the racism, secrecy and lies that much of our present is built upon. Chimi Titi, our Sustainable Living coordinator notes that, “when discussing Black history, Canadians often shift the focus to the United States and do not acknowledge Black History in Canada outside of ‘notable figures’”. As Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman Member of Parliament stated, “Black history is Canadian history.” We need to acknowledge that historically marginalized Black populations face ongoing systemic and societal discrimination in Canada, a product of valuing some stories, histories and people over others.
Post-screening, questions were shared with community members to examine their personal insights about the movie. This was followed by attendees moving up and around a lively Socacize! lesson and delicious food. At our Jane location, this meant tasty soul food treats served up by our amazing volunteers. At our Danforth location, the Youth and Sustainable Living teams worked together to serve a “Taste of the Diaspora”, which included plantain chips, kuli kuli, peanut “burgers” and more. Youth learned about each of the snacks—including their transatlantic genesis—and passed this knowledge on to the attendees. The newcomers in attendance benefited from a better understanding of the heritage and experiences of Black and African-descended individuals. It was an occasion for reflection, celebration and knowledge-sharing, important aspects of Black history that continue to guide our event planning and community programming.
Anti-Black racism and health
Anti-Black racism is a significant social determinant of health for Black Canadians. There is anti-Black racism in our culture and our institutions, including health care and education. Coupled with a legacy of discriminatory policies, it leads to structural inequities with harmful effects on Black populations in Canada. Black individuals are more likely to face health, social and economic inequities, leading to higher poverty rates, over-policing, lower education levels, limited job opportunities and poorer health outcomes.
In January Access Alliance staff attended a professional development day to take a closer look at Ontario’s recently publicized Black Health Plan. In addition to gaining a better understanding of the plan’s priorities, we also strategized how—as an organization—we could strengthen our response to its pillars and recommendations. A panel discussion with Paulos Gebreyesus from Regent Park CHC and Cheryl Prescod from Black Creek CHC saw stories shared that highlighted important work being done in Toronto to improve health outcomes for Black populations. Keynote speaker Dr. Kwame McKenzie (CEO of the Wellesley Institute (and recently named one of the 100 Most Influential Black Canadians for 2023-2024) co-chaired the Black Health Plan. Dr. McKenzie dove into the value of the plan as a blueprint for building a healthier and more equitable future for Black communities in this province. Changes in policy and practice are key to the success of the plan, including building stronger connections with Black communities, supporting targeted health promotion and addressing key structural and social determinants of health affecting Black populations.
Education & empowerment
Education is another social determinant of health, and one of the strongest predictors of social mobility in Canada, and anti-Black racism remains present in our schools. Supporting our youth and dismantling barriers to their success are priorities in our programming and services. We offer youth primary health care, mental health services and settlement supports as well as recreation, arts-based and social programs for newcomer high school students. Empowering youth via inclusive and effective programs gives them tools to build a better future, and the confidence to be active participants in their communities and beyond.
The Nahom Berhane Scholarship for Leadership & Inclusion is named in memory and honour of Nahom, an exceptional Black community leader, youth mentor and Access Alliance staff member. It prioritizes students of African descent, and aims to narrow the education gap affecting Black students. The scholarship also supports student community leaders, acknowledging their contributions and advancing their skills and ambition to the next level. Recipients of the $4000 scholarship are impressive, inspiring young people who, like Nahom, forged ahead, lifting up their communities and themselves despite the challenges and barriers in their paths to success.
A space to thrive: Among Friends
Recognizing the particular challenges faced by 2SLGBTQI+ newcomers, we’ve been growing and adapting our popular Among Friends program to better meet their needs. Many of the program’s clients arrived in Toronto from various African countries, escaping the heightened government-sanctioned discrimination and persecution based on their sexual orientation. With this recent influx of refugees, our numbers have soared, and we’ve responded by expanding our AccessPoint on Jane Among Friends program from monthly to weekly resettlement programs. Additionally, we continue to offer our weekly AccessPoint on Danforth program, and have also introduced a new online “Wednesday Webinar” series. These workshops and webinars offer volunteer opportunities and support participants with key information about employment, housing, mental, physical and sexual health, preparing for their IRB hearings, and more. They target barriers commonly faced by Black 2SLGBTQI+ newcomers, offering a range of tools and resources in a safer, inclusive space.
To mark the end of Black History Month, more than fifty Among Friends clients travelled to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts to experience West African “Mandé” music with Alpha Rhythm Roots. After gathering for pre-show snacks made possible thanks to a donation from TD Bank, the group moved to the concert hall and settled in. The clients we spoke to thoroughly enjoyed the event, an uplifting, celebratory showcase of percussive music storytelling the culture and traditions West Africa. It was an opportunity for many Among Friends clients to reconnect with their heritage while also relaxing and making new friends. This type of shared experience is so valuable at a time when stress, uncertainty and loneliness are a strain on the mental health of many Black 2SLGBTQI+ newcomers.
I was so happy to meet new people that became friends. I ate a lot and I really felt special having that unique experience. I loved the drum performance that refreshed me. Thank you so much for making me feel special and loved. I will forever be humbled
Among Friends field trip participant
Moving forward as an organization, we remain dedicated to fighting anti-Black oppression and discrimination by bridging service gaps, empowering diverse communities, and prioritizing evidence-based approaches in our programs, practices, and policies. Beyond Black History Month, we continue to celebrate the contributions and understand the realities of Black communities in Canada. Through unrelenting advocacy, education, and service improvement, we strive to build equitable systems that recognize and value the diverse narratives of all Canadians. Our commitment to creating a just and inclusive society is ongoing.