Community Mobilization

BCAN mobilized community stakeholders and led the launch of the BCAN report, ‘Pathways and Prevention of Disproportionalities in the Child Welfare System’ which examined the roots of African Canadians’ overrepresentation in child welfare. The paper also made a series of recommendations and subsequent actions aimed at prevention and service improvement through inter-sectoral systems change. Led the collaborative to use these recommendations to forge a new and transformative relationship between BCAN, Peel CAS, and other Black-led organizations.

BCAN mobilized and led the first-ever System Leaders Roundtable in Peel, a collaboration of senior executive leadership from the public and non-profit sector agencies, with a cross-sectoral mandate to conduct strategic planning and system transformation to address anti-black racism in the child welfare system. Membership includes PRP Chief, Peel CAS CEO, the Directors of both the PDSB and DPCDSB school boards, Directors from Region of Peel. Activities have included executive anti-Black racism training, and system change needs assessment and strategic planning for a long-term system-change intervention research project in partnership with Ryerson University and the University of Toronto - 2018.

BCAN has led the development of the “Akoma" (Akan word for heart) Wraparound pilot project, which seeks to reduce racial inequities and increase the well-being of ACB families involved with the child welfare system in Peel. Led consultations with over 500 diverse community stakeholders, System Leaders, including community members, in collaborative planning of the intervention, which is currently being piloted at Peel CAS. 

BCAN has organized and led several large community events and executed the ‘2016 BCAN Honours’’, a well-attended event that celebrated the achievements of notable leaders and trailblazers from the Peel Region and the GTA. The Gala featured guests such as Jennifer Evans (Chief of Peel Police), Jagmeet Singh (NDP - Leader), and a keynote presentation by the Hon. Celina Caesar-Chavannes.

BCAN was approached by African Canadian Legal Clinic after our community again witnessed a rash of gun violence to actively participate and provide the Peel perspective in a proactive response initiated by Toronto based black community organizations, to the announcement of Premier McGuinty appointing Minister Hoskin to create the Youth Action Plan in response to escalating violence in the African, Caribbean Black community/priority neighborhoods. Peel has historically been left out of these types of strategic planning and community response dialogues as these incidents are normally viewed to be Toronto focused, however BCAN was extremely successful in actively participating and in some instances leading these dialogues. This break through can be directly attributed to the early efforts made by BCAN to connect with the black community in other geographic communities (ie. York Region; Durham Region). BCAN led the mobilizing of all black community organizations and resident leaders in collaboration with UWPR Black Community Advisory Council to engage the community in the many strategic planning discussion in relation to the Action Plan. BCAN was integral at the Toronto initiated planning table providing Peel based demographic data; and subsequently presented these findings to Minister Hoskin, Minister Meuillier, and Deputy Minister Bezzini. BCAN is still involved in these conversations. The result has translated into Peel being included in ongoing dialogue with MCYS to provide context to building community capacity and infrastructure; as well as a concerted effort of MCYS to continue to explore and understand the needs of the black community in Peel Region.

BCAN’s work and continual presence directly influenced the Ministry of Children and Youth Services call for proposal for the allocation of 4.5 Youth Outreach Workers for Peel Region spanning the following four agencies; the African Canadian Legal Clinic, Malton Neighbourhood Services, the YMCA and Fernie House. BCAN’s first OTF research document was included as a link on the actual application- where MCYS clearly stated that all applicants had to demonstrate how they would engage the black community. MCYS is very interested in continuing dialogues to build capacity in Peel Region.

As a part of the collaborative, BCAN’s work also continues to inform the implementation of the Action Plan which includes the following Peel related initiatives:

• Agencies were invited to apply for after school recreation programming. Fourteen (14) new sites received base funding for after school recreation programming in Peel.

• The permanent Premier’s Council on Youth Opportunities was created and launched on March 21, 2013;

• The Roots of Youth Violence is a permanent mandate of the newly established Poverty Reduction Cabinet Committee;

• Dr. Alvin Curling, Strategic Advisor to the Minister of Children and Youth Services on Youth Opportunities has been appointed to the Cabinet of Poverty Reduction Committee.

Community & Systems Education

BCAN is presently leading an initiative in partnership with E-Fry Peel-Halton (E-Fry-Peel), St. Leonard Place (SLP), Community Justice Initiative (CJI), Correctional Services of Canada (CSC) and other community partners to develop a reintegration resource wrap-around initiative for Black women and men who are returning to the community after being incarcerated within the criminal justice system. Research has indicated that the Black community requires viable reintegration services equivalent to that which the Indigenous community has and is centred in legislation – 2021.

The innovation of the BCAN/PCAS #PullingTogether Initiative continues as it aligns with the One Vision One Voice community-led Race Equity Practice Framework as it develops and implements the Aunties/Uncles culturally appropriate service delivery in the Peel region to better support and supplement the PCAS Akoma Wraparound service delivery model. The Aunties/Uncles Circle service delivery model will include specific tools and techniques for working with Black families, matching Black children and youth in foster care with adults from their communities to help children/youth stay connected to their culture and heritage. To better support Black children/youth in care to successfully strive in today’s challenging times, it is beneficial for them to be surrounded by a social support network beyond their own family. The word ‘family’ is understood primarily by an individual’s biological relationship. Still, the Aunties/Uncles Circle initiative emphasizes a definition that includes community members and Black-led organizations working collaboratively to fulfil some family responsibilities.

BCAN served as a leading partner with United Way of Peel Region’s Black Community Advisory Committee(BCAC), Social Planning Council and other community organizations to develop the Facilitating Access Change and Equity in Systems (FACES) report, which studied the experiences of African Canadian youth in areas such as education and criminal justice. Served as a leading partner on this collaborative that directed and propelled social change initiatives within the education system within the Peel region. As a result of this report, the PDSB conducted their internal research focusing on Black students, which resulted in the creation of the We Rise Together Initiative, and ultimately the Ministry of Education’s 27 directives aimed at dismantling system racism within the PDSB and ultimately; the Arleen Huggins report on the compliance of these recommendations.

As a member of Ontario’s REAC/NEAC committees, BCAN advises the Regional Deputy Commissioner/ Commissioner on issues affecting the ethnocultural populations within its CSC and has led initiatives responding to policy changes, offender programming, reintegration and community engagement. 

• Testified on the ‘Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights’ focusing on the human rights of offenders in the correctional system. With the emphasis on the federal system and concerning both national and international law and standards; as well as to examine the situation of vulnerable or disadvantaged groups in federal prisons, including indigenous people, visible minorities, women and those with mental health concerns, the Senate issued an interim report confirming major problems in Canadian jails, accompanied by recommendations for system change.

BCAN has facilitated Anti-Black Racism training to educate the Network members about the prevalence of anti-black racism. The interactive training shed light on some of the shortcomings of Canada’s compliance with its anti-racism obligations while further providing practical tools for challenging ABR in organization and the community at large. BCAN has produced an article – Erasure: Anti-Black Racism Defined – which defines the cultural xenophobia experienced by Black persons. BCAN has also facilitated and supported various workshops such as a Drumming Circle Expo, Film Screening, and financial management.

Community Advocacy

Peel Regional Council used BCAN’s call to action to declare anti-Black racism as a crisis in Peel - 2020. BCAN Spearheaded community advocacy efforts that led to the establishment of Region of Peel’s Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism Committee (DEAR) - 2018. Since 2015, BCAN has been leading a transformative, multisectoral system change initiative in child welfare, the #PullingTogether initiative, which has led to the development of a new direct service model for Black families and laid the groundwork for system change, in collaboration with various institutions, Black-led organizations and grassroots community agencies. 

BCAN led and mobilized the community partners, allies and stakeholders to lobby the Peel Police Board to focus on making bold equity moves by appointing its’ first  Black Canadian in well over 20 years and by voting in a racialized Board Chair; as well as calling for system change particularly around racial profiling. The work of the Black Community Action Network is centered around advocacy. BCAN is committed toward building a prosperous Peel that is comprised of healthy people, supported families, opportunities for all – overall inspiring a fruitful, connected community. As such, BCAN will work at identifying and addressing systemic barriers to Regional services such as racism and social exclusion.

BCAN recognizes the value of the human capital that is present within its Network. The idea of social inclusion which advocates for equality of opportunity to all persons is extremely important to the work of BCAN.

As a member of Ontario’s REAC/NEAC committees, BCAN advises the Regional Deputy Commissioner/ Commissioner on issues affecting the ethnocultural populations within its CSC and has led initiatives responding to policy changes, offender programming, reintegration and community engagement. 

• Testified on the ‘Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights’ focusing on the human rights of offenders in the correctional system. With the emphasis on the federal system and concerning both national and international law and standards; as well as to examine the situation of vulnerable or disadvantaged groups in federal prisons, including indigenous people, visible minorities, women and those with mental health concerns, the Senate issued an interim report confirming major problems in Canadian jails, accompanied by recommendations for system change.  

Since 2015, BCAN has been leading a transformative, multisectoral system change initiative in child welfare, the #PullingTogether initiative, which has led to the development of a new direct service model for Black families and laid the groundwork for system change, in collaboration with various institutions, Black-led organizations and grassroots community agencies. BCAN led and mobilized the community partners, allies and stakeholders to lobby the Peel Police Board to focus on making bold equity moves by appointing its’ first  Black Canadian in well over 20 years and by voting in a racialized Board Chair; as well as calling for system change particularly around racial profiling.