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Black Community
The Black Community page on the Diversity Portal lists organizations providing a variety of services available to the Black community in the GTA, including the name of the organization, career, mentorship services and research reports and projects, and more.
We will continue to update this portal with more links and organizations, so please check back frequently.
If you would like more information about the project, to suggest other resources, or to otherwise get involved or partner with us on the project, please fill out the (google form) contact form (external link, opens in new window) . You can also directly contact our project lead Mohamed Elmi (opens in new window) .
| Organization | Description |
| The African Canadian Social Development Council (ACSDC) (external link) | ACSDC supports agencies serving African communities in the delivery of effective services through planning, policy development, research and training. |
| African Women Acting (AWA) | African Women Acting (AWA) is a collective dedicated to empowering and promoting African female artists or artists with African expression. In so doing, AWA aims to concurrently increase public awareness, understanding, participation and appreciation of African Women’s arts. In furthering our mission, AWA seeks to establish and develop the annual African Women Artists Festival (AWA Festival) with the scope of offering to both professional and amateur African female artists in Canada an opportunity to showcase their work in an annual professional platform. |
| Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations (AJAA) (external link, opens in new window) | AJAA is a charitable umbrella organization comprised of forty Toronto-based alumni associations affiliated with educational institutions in Jamaica. AJAA was organized in 1988, and since then it has been involved in administering the educational activities of alumni associations in Toronto. |
| Antigonish/Guysborough Black Development Association | The Antigonish/Guysborough Black Development Association’s mission is to preserve, enhance and identify educational, cultural and employment opportunities for the African Nova Scotian people of Antigonish and Guysborough Counties. |
| Association of Black Law Enforcers (ABLE) (external link, opens in new window) | The Association of Black Law Enforcers (A.B.L.E.) is a non-profit organization formed in 1992 to address the needs and concerns of Black and other racial minorities in law enforcement and the community. One of their objectives is to build bridges between law enforcement agencies and the community at large. |
| Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW) (external link, opens in new window) | Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW) is a volunteer charitable organization consisting of Black Social Workers and Human Service Workers. ABSW was originally formed in Montreal, Canada in 1977. A group started in Nova Scotia in 1979, with a membership of 4. ABSW was reactivated in 1987, and now has a growing membership. ABSW is connected to the National Association of Black Social Workers Inc., which was formed in 1968. |
| Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) (external link, opens in new window) | Founded in 1983, the BBPA is a non-profit, charitable organization that addresses equity and opportunity for the Black community in business, employment, education and economic development. |
| Black Business Initiative (BBI) (external link, opens in new window) | The BBI is committed to growing a stronger Black presence in Nova Scotia’s business community; acting as a catalyst for job creation, equitable participation and advancing the economic prosperity of Nova Scotia. BBI's mission is to positively influence the Nova Scotia business culture by promoting and assisting in the development of Nova Scotia Black-owned businesses. |
| Black Canadian Studies Asociation (BCSA) (external link, opens in new window) | The mission of BCSA is to create and sustain a common forum and space to study, research and exchange ideas that advance the interest, study and understanding of Black Canada and the Diaspora. An objective of the BCSA is to to support and facilitate interaction and exchange and networking between scholars, community historians and cultural workers of Black Studies, to provide support for Black Canadian Studies scholars, academics, community historians and culture (and those of Black descent regardless of research interests and foci), and to actively encourage and support subsequent generations of scholars, researchers, community historians and cultural workers. |
| Black Community Advisory Council (external link) | The Black Community Advisory Council (BCAC) was established in February 2010. The formation of the Black Community Advisory Council is part of a broader United Way initiative to foster and build relationships and address key social issues within ethno-specific communities in Peel. Council members are of African descent including continental Africans or those who identify with being from the African Diaspora (Caribbean, South America, North America etc.). The Black leadership and Community Gala formerly known as the “Unity in Diversity Gala” is an occasion to celebrate community achievements, leadership as well as showcase the impact of UWPR’s work in partnership with BCAC. |
| Black Female Accountants Network (external link, opens in new window) | The mission of the Black Female Accountants Network is to focus on creating opportunities for black female accountants to share knowledge and experiences through a process of engagement and professional reflection. To provide a forum to showcase and celebrate professional accomplishments and to utilize tools and resources for professional advancement. |
| Black Female Lawyers Network (external link, opens in new window) | The Black Female Lawyers Network (BFLN) provides a forum for students and practitioners in the field to convene, share and learn from one another. |
| Black Law Students Association of Canada (external link, opens in new window) | The Black Law Students Association of Canada is a national, not-for-profit organization. The national body was formed in 1991 to identify and work towards the removal of systemic and other barriers facing black people in relation to law school and the legal profession in general. Through the promotion of institutional change within Canadian law schools and the legal establishment, BLSAC, in conjunction with the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) works to ease the transition from law school to the legal profession. |
| Black Profiles- Entrepreneurs and Executives (external link, opens in new window) | Black Entrepreneur Profile features profiles of black business leaders. The organization is building the most comprehensive database of successful black entrepreneurs, black CEO's, black executives and black business leaders from around the world. |
| Canadian Association of Black Journalists (CABJ) (external link, opens in new window) | The CABJ is dedicated to diversifying the media through developing and mentoring professionals and up-and-coming media and communications students, while also increasing the number of talented individuals in front line decision-making roles and management level positions. |
| Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) (external link, opens in new window) | CABL, formed in March 1996, is a national network of law professionals and individuals committed to reinvesting in the community. CABL's continuing goal is to bring together law professionals and other interested members of the community from across Canada to cultivate and maintain The Association of Black professionals in Canada. |
| Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP) (external link, opens in new window) | Founded in 1997, the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP), formerly known as Urban Financial Services Coalition (UFSC) Toronto, is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and is the preeminent centre of excellence for Blacks and Visible Minorities in finance professions. CAUFP's vision is to empower members to achieve excellence, by realizing the full potential of black professionals in financial services. |
| Canadian Lyford Cay Association (external link, opens in new window) | Lyford Cay Foundation, Inc. and The Canadian Lyford Cay Foundation were created to enhance and enrich The Bahamas and the lives of its people. |
| COBA Collective of Black Artists | COBA, Collective of Black Artists, is dedicated to creating and presenting the finest traditions in dance and music that celebrate and reflect an Africanist aesthetic. |
| Congress of Black Women of Canada – Ontario Region (external link, opens in new window) | Congress of Black Women of Canada provides a forum for Black Women to identify and address issues which affect them, their families and their community, thereby enabling them to improve their lives. The Ontario region strives to promote organizational visibility, facilitate consistency of leadership and coordinate responses to the concerns and issues of all Ontario chapters. |
| Diversipro (external link, opens in new window) | DiversiPro is an innovative diversity consulting firm based in Toronto. It helps organizations find the opportunities, face the challenges and solve the problems of the dramatic changes in demographics in Ontario and Canada. |
| Durham Black Educators’ Network (D.B.E.N.) | The Durham Black Educators’ Network (D.B.E.N.) is a proactive organization with the goal of developing and implementing programs to support students and parents of the black diaspora. They provide professional growth opportunities for educators and members of the Durham region at large. |
| Jaku Konbit (external link, opens in new window) | Jaku Konbit is a registered non-profit, educational community-based and family-oriented organization established in Ottawa in 2000. Their mandate is to support and ameliorate the lives of minority and disadvantage youth, particularly Canadian children and youth of African and Caribbean descent in the Ottawa Region by providing youth with meaningful opportunities via workshops, personal development training that foster leadership skills, self-esteem, civic duty, and a positive attitude for success. |
| Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) (external link, opens in new window) | The Jamaican-Canadian Association was founded in 1962 by a group of Jamaicans then living in Toronto. The impetus for the creation of the association was the emergence of Jamaica from colonial status to becoming an independent nation in August, 1962. This committee enabled the disparate group of university students, nurses, domestic workers and scattered others (representing the demographics at that time) to come together as a unit to participate in a collective public activity as Jamaicans in Toronto for the very first time. |
| The Lifelong Leadership Institute (external link, opens in new window) | The Lifelong Leadership Institute (LLI) is an educational organization that exists to inspire leadership and develop leaders, and dedicates its resources to advancing leadership competence and personal success among Canadian youth of Jamaican, Caribbean and Black heritage. |
| Manyatta (external link, opens in new window) | Manyatta's mission is to create professional networking opportunities for the African Diaspora. Manyatta champions positive change by showcasing social entrepreneurs and organizations that are making a positive impact in their community. Manyatta brings professionals, who are all experienced in their own right, together in a space where they can exchange knowledge about their businesses and careers, while building social capital along the way by giving back to community organizations making a great impact in the cities where Manyatta lives (Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City). |
| Malton Black Development Association (MBDA) (external link, opens in new window) | Malton Black Development Association (MBDA) was established in 1975 as an organization committed to the advancement of members of the Black community. As a member of the Malton Black Development Association, you become a part of a united group with a forum to air your concerns and ideas. In addition to an annual scholarship awards presentation, the MBDA provides referrals to agencies, boards and commissions for professional services. |
| National African Canadian Association | NACA 's goal is the continual collective improvement and demonstration of educational pursuits, a stronger nuclear family, the creation of strategic cultural centres and demonstrated leadership that leads to improved economical development that collectively works to strengthen all African Canadian families. |
| The National Black Coalition of Canada (external link, opens in new window) | The National Black Coalition of Canada, Edmonton (NBCC), was registered federally on October 19, 1969, and became the first Black and/or Caribbean National Organization in Canada. All efforts are made to ensure that the Black community fully participates in economic, political, social, cultural, educational and health matters. NBCC's local activities range from offering workshops in skill development, networking and community building, art and historical exhibitions, book fair, Black History Month Festival, and working with schools and agencies to develop and maintain culturally sensitive programs. |
| National Black MBA Association (external link, opens in new window) | NBMBAA members are minority MBAs, business professionals, entrepreneurs and MBA students who share a commitment to education and business – two principal keys to the economic development of the Black Community. The Toronto Chapter of the NBMBAA offers a unique networking opportunity for Black MBA graduates and students, entrepreneurs and business professionals in the Greater Toronto Area seeking to advance their careers, knowledge and wealth potential in today's global economy. |
| National Society of Black Engineers Canada (NSBE) | The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is a non-profit association that is owned and managed by its members. The organization is dedicated to the academic and professional success of African-American engineering students and professionals. NSBE offers its members leadership training, professional development, mentoring opportunities, career placement services and more. |
| Quebec Black Medical Association (QBMA) (external link, opens in new window) | Since 1990, the Quebec Black Medical Association (QBMA), a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Elrie Tucker, has been contributing to the success of medical professionals. QBMA aims to educate the general public about medical sciences and provides academic awards to promising black students demonstrating academic success and community involvement. |
| Senontario Association des Sénégalais de l’Ontario (external link) | The Senegalese Association of Ontario is a non-profit, apolitical and non-religious group that promotes solidarity among Senegalese individuals residing in Ontario. It is open to individuals of Senegalese background and to sympathisers who share the goals of the association. The main objective of the association is to promote the interests of the Senegalese community and to contribute to its integration within Canadian society, as well as the economic, social and cultural success of its members. A major focus is to help members integrate the professional workplace. |
| Somali Immigrant Aid Organization (external link, opens in new window) | SIAO is a non-profit community based organization that is committed to addressing the integration, education, health, housing, social services, culture, and economic development needs of Somali Canadians and other immigrants in Canada, through programs services and advocacy. |
| Tropicana Community Services (external link, opens in new window) | Tropicana Community Services, a Toronto-based multi-service organization, provides all youth, newcomers, people of Black and Caribbean heritage and others in need with opportunities and alternatives that lead to success and positive life choices. Their mission is achieved through culturally appropriate programs such as counselling, childcare, educational and employment services and youth development. |
| United Achievers’ Club of Brampton (external link, opens in new window) | The United Achievers’ Club of Brampton Inc. was established in 1980 and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1987. The founding members, who were Canadians of Black and Caribbean heritage, sought to provide avenues through which people from these communities could express their culture and add to the rich multicultural blend of the Peel Region. |
| Vaughan African Canadian Association (VACA) | The Vaughan African Canadian Association (VACA) is a not for profit organization serving the Vaughan community since its inception in 2003. The organization's mandate is to provide innovative programs and services for the African-Caribbean community in the city of Vaughan. Its main focus is providing programs for families and youth. The VACA provides programs that invest in the financial literacy and employability of youth and adults through innovative programs, networking and partnerships, job training, shared resources, and business education. |
| Project | Description |
| (PDF file) The 360 Project: Addressing Racism in Toronto | In partnership with the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR), this community-based research project aims to identify issues of access, equity, and inclusion for two highly vulnerable and marginalized groups in Toronto: the Somali Canadian community and racialized LGBTQ homeless youth. More specifically, this project aims to uncover barriers and challenges that these communities face in six key areas: employment, health, justice, education, housing, and community engagement. |
| (PDF file) Career Advancement in Corporate Canada: A Focus on Visible Minorities (external link) | In collaboration with Catalyst Canada, we surveyed 17,000 mid-career managers on their perceptions and experiences regarding organizational commitment, career satisfaction, advancement, and development, relationships with managers and colleagues, and senior management commitment to diversity, as well as recognition of foreign educational credentials. We found significant gaps in both levels of career satisfaction and perceptions of fairness, which have implications for employee retention and organizational performance. |
| The Black Experience: Project of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) | This project is a ground-breaking research venture in partnership with the Environics Institute, United Way Toronto, and YMCA of Greater Toronto. This project focuses on the Black community in the GTA by exploring the lived experience of Black Torontonians, building community, and informing policy and service development. |
| Diversity Leads 2020 | DiversityLeads is a five-year Community University Research Alliance (CURA) project generously supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), which aims to benchmark and assess the progress of diversity in leadership. |
| DiversityCity Counts | DiverseCity Counts was a three-year research project conducted as a part of DiverseCity: The Greater Toronto Leadership Project, an initiative of Maytree and the Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance. This project tracked rates of diversity among leaders in the GTA across private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, with the goal of taking a snapshot of the senior-most positions in the most influential organizations. |
| (PDF file) Evaluation of Human Rights Project Charter (opens in new window) |
This project was a collaboration with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, the Toronto Police Services Board, and the Toronto Police Service that aimed to counter discrimination in the police service and the community. The Diversity Institute evaluated the project’s implementation and assessed its impact, concluding that the project was successful in spearheading a unique collaborative approach to addressing human rights issues in policing. |