Activism
17 February 2021

Black Liberation Now: Support Black-led Initiatives in Vancouver, Calgary and Chicago

Black history month is a time of celebration, unity and connection. Most importantly, it is a time to be inspired into action. At RIPPLE OF CHANGE, our philosophy is to give those with a passion for change the tools to make a difference. 

As a team that spans two countries and three major cities, we wanted to share some organizations that are driving anti-racism work and addressing the structural inequities faced by Black folks in North America.

Vancouver

Hogan’s Alley Society
Hogan’s Alley Society seeks to preserve and promote the historical, cultural, societal and economic contributions made by Black Settlers and their descendants to Vancouver, Greater Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia, the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Pivot’s Know Your Rights Handbook was in part informed by workshops facilitated by Hogan’s Alley Society members at Nora Hendrix Place.
Donate here

Vancouver Black Therapy & Advocacy Fund
Vancouver Black Therapy & Advocacy Fund is a not-for-profit initiative that aims to raise funds to make Black therapy resources, advocacy, and mental health support more accessible to Black community members in the Lower Mainland.
Donate here 

BC Community Alliance
BCCA is a community based organization dedicated to combating the structural inequities created by anti-black racism.
Donate here

Black in BC Community Support Fund for COVID-19
Black community support initiative is a fundraiser for a low-barrier, emergency, micro-grant program for Black people in British Columbia, Canada, who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donate here

Black Lives Matter - Vancouver
The Black Lives Matter Vancouver chapter is a cause that supports the organizing work of Black folks and allies in undoing systemic racialized violence. Black Lives Matter is a cause cognizant of the ongoing struggles of all marginalized folks and they strive to honour that in the work they do. BLM Vancouver centres the voices of Black folks as well as other folks of colour and hope to lift up those who are queer, women, trans, differently abled, poor or otherwise marginalized.
Donate here 

Calgary

Inclusion Factor
Inclusion Factor works with public and private organizations across North America to build diverse teams, equitable team dynamics, inclusive products, services, and workplaces.
Support here

The Unlearning Channel (Podcast)
The Unlearning Channel seeks to inspire critical awareness of white supremacy by challenging, re-contextualizing, and broadening perceptions of race, identity, culture and diaspora.
Donate here

Calgary Black Empowerment Fund
Raising funds to support Black community initiatives, Black culture and arts, Black non-profits, equity training and future political activism.
Donate here

Calgary Black Chambers
Calgary Black Chambers is a society of Black professionals and entrepreneurs who saw the need to establish a not-for-profit organization, for Black professionals and entrepreneurs, students and upcoming professionals, to have resources available to support their endeavour’s through the Calgary Black Chambers set core values.
Donate here

Coalition for Equal Access to Education - Anti-racism Project
The Coalition for Equal Access to Education started as a grassroots community organization in 1993 that advocated against funding cuts to ESL education in Alberta. For the past 26 years, they have been at the forefront of developing better access to education and civic engagement opportunities for immigrant and ethnocultural children and youth. Mandate: To facilitate equal access of immigrant and ethnocultural children and youth to quality education and civic engagement opportunities. 
Donate here 

Chicago

My Block, My Hood, My City
My Block, My Hood, My City generally serves Chicago's underprivileged youth, however, in recent times the organization has stepped up to create the Small Business Relief Fund. The fund will support Chicago community businesses affected by out-of-state looters. At its core, My Block, My Hood, My City's mission is to "take care of people—no matter what.”
Donate here

Breakthrough
Breakthrough is a non-profit organization that works with those affected by poverty to achieve success and opportunities. Breakthrough's focus areas include education and youth development, health and wellness, workforce development, violence prevention and more.
Donate here

The #LetUsBreathe Collective
The #LetUsBreathe Collective is a group of artists and activists whose vision is a world without police or prisons. Through their art and work, they strive to make that vision a reality.
Donate here

Chicago Equity and Transformation
Chicago Equity and Transformation (EAT), based in Englewood, Garfield Park and Austin, was founded by formerly incarcerated individuals dedicated towards creating economic and social equity for Black Chicagoans on the West and South Sides. EAT does research, policy development and advocacy aimed at decriminalizing the informal economy that many rely on.
Donate here 

Westside Justice Center
Formed in 2015, the Westside Justice Center is a non-profit, holistic legal aid clinic which serves the residents on the city’s West Side. The center offers free legal advice to walk-in residents, regularly hosts legal workshops and case reviews, and organizes around criminal justice issues that affect people on the West Side.
Donate here


Headshot of Cicely

Cicely Belle Blain

Editorial Director (they/them)

Cicely Belle is a Black, queer writer, activist and anti-racism consultant originally from London, UK. They are the founder and CEO of Bakau Consulting, a social justice informed equity and inclusion consulting company based in Vancouver, BC where they work with clients across six continents to enhance compassion, respect and a commitment to anti-oppression in a diversity of industries.

As a founder and former organizer of Black Lives Matter Vancouver, Cicely Belle is passionate about liberation work, systems change and radical empathy for a better world. In 2018 and 2020, they were listed as one of Vancouver’s 50 most powerful people and in 2019, as one of BC Business’s 30under30. They are the author of Burning Sugar and an instructor of Executive Leadership at Simon Fraser University.

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