B.I.G. – Black Ideas Grant Recipients – QC

The West Island Black Community Association(WIBCA) is a volunteer-run, registered charity that is dedicated to serving the English-speaking Black community of the West Island and the surrounding areas. Their organization works to support Black communities in Canada by offering free educational programming, services, and support tailored to meet the diverse needs of Black youth, adults, and seniors of the community. Since their humble beginnings in 1982, they have uplifted the lives of countless people with their free, impactful, and diverse programs run out of the community centre located in Roxboro, Quebec. Programs and services target 3 segments of the West Island Black community: women/non-binary, children/youth, and seniors. Current programs and services include: Black Girls Gather: A Book Club, Legal Clinic, Maasai Boys Mentoring Group, Youth Robotics Team, Saturday morning tutorials, scholarship program, Senior Fit, Senior Surf, youth and mentoring.

WIBCA’s programmatic approach can be described as “for us, by us”, Black-centred, accessible, intersectional, intergenerational, and inclusive. WIBCA’s longevity in the community is due to its dedicated volunteers and its ability to adjust to the needs of its constituents.

Black Healing Fund (BHF) is a volunteer-run collective based in Tio’tia:ke / Montreal, QC. They provide Black Montreal residents (francophone and anglophone) with recurrent discretionary funding to access mental health focused services through mutual aid fundraising. The Black Healing Fund Tio’tia:Ke initiative will hire Black mental health professionals to provide healing sessions throughout the year exclusively to Black Montrealers unable to afford these types of services. These initiatives focus on improving social outcomes for Black community members by reducing the socioeconomic barriers to accessing quality care services that improve mental and physical health outcomes. BHF is a grassroots response to systemic oppression in the form of anti-Black systemic racism, police brutality, and socioeconomic inequality.

This infrastructure project is centered around a social acceptability approach, as BCHM’s is located within a predominantly mono-ethnic Caucasian neighborhood. Several housing units will be provided to house young Black people from youth protection services, which will raise cohabitation issues. The approach BCHM wants to adopt aims at fighting racist prejudice towards these young people and the potential impact these prejudices could have on the project moving forward on the chosen site. The project’s goal is to mobilize the entire Rosemont La-Petite-Patrie community around a project that will bring about major social change for Montréal’s Black community.

Since the organization was founded, its volunteers have been working with clients facing difficulties such as unemployment, low family income, and the inability to meet basic needs (housing, childcare, transportation, etc.). Events are carried out to break the isolation of newcomers and enable them to experience a new country. Several measures will be prioritized, such as the implementation of an action plan to identify the measures to be carried out (training, dissemination of information, discussions, awareness campaigns, forums, etc.). Discussion groups with other organizations are also planned.

The project contributes to the fight against racism for families from Black communities by reducing the systemic racism Black artists are faced with in regards to the professionalism of their work. Many families feel left out of cultural productions because they are not represented in mainstream media, be it TV, radio, movies or theatre. Within the context of this project, the organization will seek out Black artists to introduce them to their communities in order to reawaken this sense of belonging and to eradicate the systemic barriers that prevent families from experiencing Afro-descendant culture. It also want to improve economic outcomes in the communities by enabling these Black artists to make a living from their art, to obtain paid contracts, and to reinvest in their work, creating wealth for Black artists and Black-owned art businesses. The organization wants to improve social outcomes by allowing Black communities to recharge their cultural batteries while appreciating the culture of their host country. By not feeling left out, people can bolster their confidence and open the door to discovering others.

By pairing a young Black immigrant with a Black “coach”, this program helps newcomers integrate more effectively and enables them to contribute to the host society in a positive way. This initiative makes it easier for newcomers to adjust to the realities of their new country and allows them to create closer ties with others, hence contributing to the fight against racist prejudice at the source. The organization firmly believes that if the perceived social distance between a Black immigrant and the Canadian population as a whole is reduced, our society will benefit from greater social cohesion. The better we know each other, the greater our ability to appreciate our similarities. By using the mentor as a familiar social anchor, DK’s flagship program contributes positively to social and economic opportunities for these Black newcomers by promoting their social inclusion. Several studies have shown that a racialized immigrant who can count on a strong social support network is more likely to integrate into the social and economic fabric of their host society.

The organization’s services aim at improving the psychosocial and economic health of Afro-Canadians. This is a segment of the population that still considers death taboo, doesn’t like to talk about it, and consequently doesn’t prepare for it. When a death occurs, it has a significant impact on the surviving family members. Our organization not only supports bereaved families, but also raises awareness among families who have not yet lost a loved-one surrounding the importance of protecting themselves and reducing the impact of these natural departures through insurance, funeral arrangements, savings, wills, etc.

The initiative seeks to actively promote equality and social justice. It acts as a protective shield and offers essential support and resources to those facing barriers because of their ethnicity. The project also plays a crucial role in improving social outcomes by focusing its efforts on a socially marginalized population. It works to strengthen social ties, foster inclusion, and promote an equitable environment. Through its inclusive, barrier-breaking approach, it contributes to improving economic outcomes by offering educational and economic opportunities to a population often left on the margins of society. By investing in education, it opens doors to financial independence and economic strength. In short, the initiative makes a significant contribution to the fight against Black racism, while making essential strides to improve social and economic outcomes by focusing its efforts on a population that is systemically discriminated against and socially marginalized.

The goal of the organization’s Réseau Dynamique et Services Innovants Maman, BB & Co. initiative is to recruit staff and focus on Black suppliers to establish its organizational and operational structure. This mission is perfectly aligned with improving economic outcomes for the Black community. The organization’s approach contributes directly to the fight against economic racism towards Black people by creating employment and partnership opportunities within this community. By hiring Black staff, the Foundation not only reinforces its commitment to Black empowerment, but also ensures that the organization’s strategies and operations genuinely reflect the needs and perspectives of the Black community. These employees will play a key role in establishing effective Web structures and platforms that are needed to introduce and manage programs. In addition, by choosing to work with Black suppliers, the Foundation actively supports the Black economy and encourages the development of Black-owned businesses, thus creating an economic ecosystem where Black entrepreneurs and professionals can benefit from new opportunities for growth and visibility. This initiative, while meeting basic operational needs, demonstrates a concrete commitment to the economic and professional empowerment of the Black community.

A podcast featuring traditional ancestral instruments is an excellent way of fighting racism against Black people. By highlighting this group’s cultural wealth, “Soir au village” helps counter the negative stereotypes often associated with Black communities. It also raises public awareness of the diversity and contribution of Black artists to the music world. By sharing stories and celebrating cultural heritage, “Soir au village” will contribute to the deconstruction of preconceived ideas and help combat discrimination. Furthermore, by digitizing its global operations, NéoQuébec is giving itself the means to broaden its impact and reach a wider audience. By using digital tools, they will reach people who might not otherwise have access to their resources. This will allow them to promote their message of inclusion and togetherness and to offer learning and sharing opportunities to everyone. Ultimately, the fight against Black racism involves giving voice and visibility to Black communities, celebrating their cultural heritage and creating spaces where their contribution is recognized and appreciated.

Their organization fosters a human approach that stimulates interaction and cooperation. The M3E project is a unique concept that stems from the conviction that national and international mobility combined with an educational approach can create a vehicle for Black female entrepreneurs in Quebec to perfect their skills. Mission Entrepren’Elle is creating an innovative model of social transformation by allowing Black women from precarious neighborhoods to develop leadership skills by enabling them to improve their financial health through training and access to information, and by providing them with support to enhance their income-generating ventures on an international scale. To achieve this, Mission Entrepren’Elle has established an incubator that develops a dual-dimension holistic educational method. They help applicants set up income-generating businesses and build their capacity in order for them to become agents of change and to transform their family’s living conditions. Mission Entrepren’Elle specializes in the Black ethno-cultural diversity market in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada. They offer support and advice and conduct economic exploratory missions.

Hike MTL empowers and destigmatize Black and racialized communities by fostering a sense of belonging through outdoor nature based excursions, aimed to reduce economic and social barriers, promote a healthy lifestyle, both physical and mental. Hike MTL plans to increase Black leadership and representation in outdoor environements, expand programming of beginner-friendly excursions, and faciliate educational workshops.

PAGE-RWANDA suffers from a lack of capacity in terms of human and financial resources, which severely impacts their development and capacity to achieve their objectives. Their organization is made up of volunteers, the vast majority of whom have other professional and family commitments. PAGE-RWANDA has drawn up a five-year strategic plan (2023-2028), which relies on their ability to strengthen their capacities. This initiative, which fits in very well with the theme of improving economic and social outcomes, will enable them to hire a consultant to help them develop an action plan to implement the strategic planh. The expected results will affect the overall well-being of the members of their community. It will also allow them to hire a consultant to help them develop and implement a fund-raising strategy to finance the measures set out in their strategic plan, thereby improving their economic outcomes.

Since 1968, the Quebec Board of Black Educators has been the principal voice advocating for a more inclusive and equitable school system, while advancing policies and programs to combat Anti-Black racism embedded in the system. The QBBE Ecosystem is the advocacy branch combatting Anti-Black racism and exclusion in Quebec’s education ecosystem. The centre promotes social innovation and applied research. It aims to bridge the widening gap that Black communities face in relation to mainstream society, accentuated by rapid transformations in various sectors. The QBBE Ecosystem champions the development of new governance, management, and social integration models, highlighting the Black community’s integral role in Canada’s diversity. It endeavors to create a collaborative space that not only gathers collective intelligence and scientific data to combat social and economic exclusion, but also promotes community synergy and sustainable development as a social enterprise and startup incubator. This facilitates value-based leadership in a democratic, safe working environment, underscoring the ecosystem’s commitment to enhancing social outcomes for the Black community.

Star Can Cultural Association is a non-profit organization serving the residents of greater Montreal and its surrounding areas. The organization serves the Caribbean community by offering programs, support services, and cultural and social activities. These are designed to improve and enhance the quality of life of Black youth, families, and seniors. Star Can Cultural Association is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion, supporting cultural development, encouraging civic engagement through volunteering, and offering cultural and educational programming. The Build and Bridge Project aims to improve social outcomes by fostering community cohesion and inclusivity through events like the city-wide conference, annual Gala, and Black History Month education. These activities promote networking, recognition of local heroes, and education about Black history and culture, ultimately reducing social isolation and promoting a sense of belonging. The Share and Care Program provides essential support to vulnerable community members, potentially reducing healthcare costs associated with food insecurity and improving overall well-being, which can have positive economic implications. By addressing both social and economic needs, StarCan Cultural Association aims to create a more resilient and thriving Black community in Montreal.

The Startop® initiative is led by an organization founded by three Black women and plays a vital role in fighting racism and improving economic outcomes. The project aims to increase the number of underrepresented Black female entrepreneurs overall (only 1.7% of Canadian female entrepreneurs are Black) and within the social economy where there are almost no Black female entrepreneurs (around 0.1%). This project is relevant within the context of our nation, as one in five Black families in Canada lives below poverty level, and Black women still face a great deal of discrimination in the job market. Social entrepreneurship can offer them a reliable and sustainable path to emancipation. By promoting entrepreneurship, Startop® offers women a way to earn a living and also an opportunity to tackle social problems and to contribute to their communities in a positive way. It can also lead to opportunities for individuals to gain financial independence and for Black communities to accumulate wealth. The goal is to provide Black women with the tools and skills they need to set up and run businesses within the social economy, thereby increasing the number of businesses owned by Black women. This increase is necessary in order to provide visible models of success, inspire the next generation, and ensure a more diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. In short, this project contributes directly to the fight against racism and to better economic outcomes for Black communities, marking a significant step towards greater economic equality.

The Union United Church, established in 1907 as Quebec’s first Black congregation, has a rich history of serving marginalized communities, including low-income families, newcomers, women, and seniors. Beyond its role as a place of worship, the church is dedicated to addressing social issues, fighting poverty and homelessness, and promoting outreach within their community. The Church seeks to fulfill community needs and strives to build a more inclusive and compassionate society through various programs, initiatives, and partnerships. Breaking the Cycle supports Black inmates and breaks down the various mechanisms that contribute to the cycle of their over-incarceration. By offering outings to people incarcerated in minimum-security institutions, access to and participation in the Food Bank, and trauma-informed workshops, Union United Church aims to build connections with incarcerated community members and the wider Black community. This comprehensive approach addresses the specific challenges faced by Black prisoners. It focuses on breaking down the barriers that continually block their process to timely reintegration. In doing so, it combats systemic racism, improves social outcomes, and enhances economic prospects by providing tailored support, community engagement, and access to legal services.

The Viola Desmond Justice Institute plans to address the lack of Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCA) in the judicial system. IRCAs provide the court with the necessary information about the effect of systemic anti-Black racism on people of African descent and how the experience of racism has informed the circumstances of the offence, the offender, and how it might inform the offender’s experience of the carceral state. The demand for IRCAs out-measures their availability. The initiative plans to ensure that the oversight of IRCA processes are more Black-led, as it is in Nova Scotia, and to address this gap in supply and demand by providing a Black-owned and operated alternative for offenders to access quality assessment reports for cases.