Organizations that are building more inclusive communities
As Black History Month comes to an end, we’re continuing our series of recognizing and highlighting writers, content creators and business owners who inspire our team. This week, we’re sharing organizations that are building more inclusive and resilient communities.
While this is the final week of Black History Month, we will be continuing the conversation amongst our team and networks while upholding our commitment to listen, learn and be an ally in actions, not just words.
Read more below!
BLMTO
Black Lives Matter Toronto is Canada’s largest chapter of the global Black Lives Matter movement; a coalition of Black community members, students, artists, activists and organizers working for the elimination of anti-Black racism, state-sanctioned and institutional violence.
Read more about their mission and donate here.
Black Boys Code
An organization dedicated to empowering young black men to take control of their future through workshops, after school programs and summer camps designed to teach digital literacy and computer competency. The mission is to show young black men that success in technology careers is possible, not impossible.
For more information on Black Boys Code, see here.
Black Business and Professional Association
A Toronto-based non-profit organization that seeks to encourage and support the pursuit of entrepreneurship, professional excellence, higher education and economic empowerment by Black Canadians.
Want to donate? Check it out here.
Black Women in Motion
Black Women in Motion is a Toronto-based, youth-led organization that empowers and supports the advancement of black womxn and survivors of sexual violence. The organization offers culturally-relevant content, educational tools, healing spaces and economic opportunities for black womxn.
Find out how you can help reach their goal of raising $150,000 here.
Empowerment Squared
Empowerment Squared is committed to ensuring that marginalized, newcomer and refugee youth are given the opportunity to succeed in school regardless of their past experiences and family’s economic status.
Read more about Empowerment Squared, and its Executive Director, Leo Johnson’s inspiring story here.
Freedom School Toronto
A youth and parent-driven initiative that works to create systemic change of anti-Black racism in the school system. Freedom School Toronto offers year-round school and training programs, curriculum fairs and student conferences. In addition to monetary donation, the initiative also accepts school, art, office supplies, furniture, laptops and more.
Learn more on how to get involved here.
Across Boundaries
Across Boundaries mission is to provide equitable, inclusive and holistic mental health and addiction services for racialized communities within anti-racism, anti-Black racism and anti-oppression frameworks.
Read more about what they do and donate here.
Black Legal Action Centre
Black Legal Action Centre is a non-profit community legal clinic that provides free legal services for low or no-income Black residents of Ontario. They are working to combat individual and systemic anti-Black racism by:
providing legal representation, summary legal advice and brief services to individual clients
engaging in test case litigation, law reform and community development to improve the laws that affect low-income people
giving public legal information sessions to members of the public and other community agencies.
Read more about their services and donate here.
CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals
With a focus on youth workforce development, education, and advocacy to influence systems and policy, the CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals is committed to achieving their vision of a society and economy in which Black youth achieve economic stability and a stronger knowledge of themselves while building prosperous communities.
Read more about their mission and donate here.
Toronto Black Film Festival
The Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) showcases powerful black films while creating a safe space to discuss socio-economic and cultural issues. TBFF also offers a mentorship program for black filmmakers between the ages of 18-30.
Though the 2021 festival just ended, there are still ways to get involved for the remainder of this year and next. See here for more details.
