We run programs in six areas of work:
I. Leadership and Systems Change Work
Our programs promote racial equity, inclusion and cultural awareness in public policies and systems and policies. It aims to address systemic inequities in public institutions, government and service systems so members of ethno-cultural communities can fully participate in economic, social and civic life. We will implement this using a three-part strategy:
- Community engagement/organizing
- Capacity building
- Public policy and Systems change work
Programs:
Program Coordinator: Humaira Falak
Facilitator: Adanech Sahilie
Funders: Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)
II. Community Connector
The Social Inclusion initiative focuses on issues facing racialized communities using an intersectionality approach to understand the interplay of different forms of inequities which exacerbate social exclusion of racialized communities, especially in accessing services and opportunities in social, cultural, political and cultural spheres.
Program: Social Inclusion Initiative
Strategy Lead: Linh Bui
Funder: United Way of Calgary & Area
III. Youth Engagement
The B.L.A.C.K (Becoming Leaders Acquiring Critical Knowledge) Project was created to strengthen the sense of identity and community among Black youth by building leadership skills, community connections, civic engagement, and youth-led actions to address anti-Black racism.
Project Areas of Focus:
- Mental Health, Self- Esteem & Wellness
- Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship
- Anti-Black Racism Awareness and knowledge Sharing
Program: The B.L.A.C.K. Project (Becoming Leaders Acquiring Critical Knowledge)
Facilitator: Isra Abdelrahim
Funder: Calgary Foundation, Canadian Western Bank, Stantec
IV. Advancing Fairness and Equity
We will bring together community networks, organizations and individuals in Calgary to collaboratively address issues of discrimination, inequity and racism. Community engagement, leadership support, resource mobilization and capacity building are integral to this project. This is part of a province-wide initiative that involves collaborative in Calgary, Wood Buffalo, Lethbridge, Red Deer and Edmonton.
Program: People’s CAFÉ (Coalition to Advance Fairness and Equity)
Funder: Canadian Heritage
V. Research and Policy
Our approach to research and policy work hinges on participatory research that engages ethno-cultural, newcomer and racialized communities and views research as opportunity for consciousness-raising and education of participants and facilitators and inform policy and systemic change. Currently, our research and policy work focus on two major projects:
- Migrant Dignity Project – “COVID-19 Among Meatpacking Workers: Documenting Migration Status and Employment Conditions in Southern Alberta”, is a participatory research in partnership with York University.
- BRAVE Workers Storytelling Project – is a pilot project that seeks to put a human face on immigration policies and documents the lived experiences of Cargill meatpacking plant workers. The goals of this project are: 1) to facilitate collective knowledge production around workers’ rights and experiences and 2) to utilize these stories to effect systems and policy change.
Research & Policy Analyst: Meriam Bravante
Funder: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Funder: WES (World Education Services), Mariam Assefa Fund
VI. COVID-19 Response
The BRAVE Workers Program aims to highlight and understand the experiences, challenges, and barriers of racialized essential workers vis-à-vis their human and labor rights. Through various capacity-building and community engagement activities, the BRAVE Workers Program plans to increase the capacity of racialized essential workers to meaningfully drive organizational decisions for job safety, timely wages, job security and immigration status.
Program: BRAVE Workers (Believe in the Rights and Value of Essential Workers)
Program Coordinator: Rubirose Ong
Funder: WES (World Education Services), Mariam Assefa Fund
