Library Guides: Anti-Black Racism: Initiatives

Quick Stats

Stats from Centennial's Innovation, Inclusion, Reconciliation and Healing Portfolio (IIRH).

206

Number of years that slavery was practiced.

1834

Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect across the British Empire, emancipating more than 800,000 enslaved Africans in British-controlled regions around the world, including Canada. (City of Toronto, 2022).

1983

Was when the last segregated school was closed.

75.6¢

How much a Black person earns for every dollar earned by a non-racialized person.

13.4%

The unemployment rate of Black individuals with a graduated degree, higher than the rate for non-Black high school drop out at 12%.

Organizational Initiatives

Addressing Anti-Black Racism at Centennial College
Centennial College is committed to action that will consistently address anti-Black racism, promote Black inclusion across all levels of the institution and advance organizational equitable outcomes. Led by the Centre for Global Citizenship and Inclusion, the college has worked to ensure the perspectives of diverse Black communities are integrated in all the work we do including policy development, addressing inequitable systemic barriers, curricular and co-curricular programming.
Toronto for All: Confronting Anti-Black Racism Initiative (City of Toronto)
On Nov 2, 2016, the City of Toronto, and its partner, OCASI-Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants launched a public education campaign to raise awareness about anti-Black racism in Toronto, and to equip people with the means to identify it, question it and challenge it. The campaign builds on the anti-Black racism work of Black leaders, activists, educators, and community groups and organizations, present and past. The campaign was part of a broader City of Toronto initiative on anti-Black racism.
Government of Canada: Building a Foundation for Change: Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2019–2022
Building a Foundation for Change: Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy 2019–2022 is a $45 million investment that will take immediate steps in combatting racism and discrimination based on what was heard during the engagement process and supported by research. The Strategy will complement existing government efforts and programs aimed at eliminating inequities by focusing on three guiding principles: Demonstrating Federal Leadership, Empowering Communities, and Building Awareness & Changing Attitudes.
Government of Ontario’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan
Ontario’s anti-racism strategic plan is the province’s commitment to change the way we do things and break down barriers to advance racial equity. This means reviewing government policies, programs and services to ﬁnd ways for everyone to have better opportunities and outcomes. It’s about making sure government is here to serve and support everyone.

Community Organizations

Black Lives Matter: Toronto Chapter
Local resources, mutual aid, and volunteer opportunities.
Right to Be Bystander Intervention Training
Right To Be offers interactive training to train people on how to safely intervene in the face of police violence and anti-black racism using the 5Ds of bystander intervention.
Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC)
Established in 2017, the Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC) is an independent not-for-profit community legal clinic that combats individual and systemic anti-Black racism by providing free legal services, conducting research, developing public legal education materials, and engaging in test case litigation and law reform.
Black Health Alliance: Knowledge Hub
The Black Health Alliance is a community-led registered charity working to improve the health and well-being of Black communities in Canada.
Not Another Black Life (NABL) Toronto
Grassroots, community organization based out of Toronto focusing on abolition and dismantling anti-Black racism.
SURJ Toronto: Anti-Racist Resources
Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Toronto gathers white people into anti-racist action.
Black Lives Matter Global Network: Resources
Resources include: #TalkAbout Trayvon: A Toolkit for White People; Healing Action Toolkit; Chapter Conflict Resolution Toolkit; Healing Justice Toolkit; and more.