[Kathe]

Welcome @Cel-moubchiri ! Feel free to check out our many resources on cannabis; you can also connect directly with a member of our team if we can be of any support.

[Kathe]

Are you familiar with SKETCH? They are a community arts enterprise engaging diverse young people, ages 16-29, from across Canada, who live homeless or on the margins and who navigate poverty.

SKETCH is hosting an Artist Night Market in Toronto on November 18th and 19th at Withrow Common (200 Princes’ Boulevard), from 4PM to 10PM.

This two-day event will feature one-of-a-kind artworks, live music, food, and DJs, representing the wide range of artists across SKETCH. Artists have been creating screen-printed apparel, upcycled streetwear, paintings, decor, jewelry and accessories, tote bags, hand-dyed textiles, candles, embroidery, chocolate confectionaries, and lots more. Many items are priced at or around $25 to celebrate SKETCH’s 25th anniversary.

While you’re at the gallery, you can also see two new SKETCH exhibitions:

• Threads of Resistance is a collaborative exhibition of SKETCH in its 25th anniversary celebrations, where artists created and curated original works expressing journeys of resistance, art, and activism for just and liberatory futures.
• The Year of Public Art Retrospective is a new documentary by media artists Jahmal Nugent and Xeynamay.

This event is FREE and open to the public. Registration is encouraged but not mandatory.

[Natalie]

I agree, Anti-Black Racism needs to be acknowledged on all greater scales in order for effective systemic changes to be implemented in order to create meaningful changes

[CHAIMAA]

I’m new here,I’m working on evaluating factors leading to substance abuse among adolescents

[Lala la]

It was mentioned in module 2 that short-term outcomes are measured within 6 months to 1 year after programme implementation, intermediate outcomes are measured within 1-2 years after programme implementation, and long-term outcomes are measured after a long time (no definitive time given). Even barring long-term outcomes, it would mean reaching out to participants of the programme about half a year, a year and two years after their participation in the programme. Do any organisation actually track and measure the outcomes a year or two after programme implementation, and what is the percentages of participants that usually contribute the data after a year on? Also, I was wondering, if only a small percentage of participants actually contribute their data a year or two on, how accurate will the outcome results be in evaluating whether the programme meets its objectives?

[Lala la]

What are some barriers to evaluation that your organisation/programme face? For those who have faced similar barriers to any barriers mentioned, what have worked for your programme/organisation in tackling that?

[Maxime]

I work as a mental health and attendance counselor for my local public schoolboard. I think it’s crucial to educate our staff regarding microagressions and the many forms it can take. I would also love to see the establishment of a Black youth led group in our schools to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs are met.

[Lu]

As an educator I agree with your comment about the importance/ need to invite Black youth and families to provide feedback on how we can improve things.I think this is critical. In addition to feed back one thing that I believe needs to be addressed is the representation in school staff. We need more Black educators.

A program was started in the last few years funded by the Ministry of Ed. , graduation coaches for Black students and the program has been invaluable. More coaches are required that can support and listen to the needs of Black students and their families.

[Tara-Lynneet]

“Youth-sector organizations need and deserve a more fulsome model of evaluation, one that meets them where they are and builds on their strengths while recognizing their importance.”

I agree with this statement because evaluation is all about data and numbers opposed to the actual “person” behind the number or stat.

[Tara-Lynneet]

Evaluation is like a weather forecast it can give an idea of what may or may not happen but it wont be able to predict 100% what can happen.

[Evelyn]

Showing genuine compassion, being fully present, and empowering youth to express themselves in a welcoming, non-judgmental and safe space. One consistent and caring adult who doesn’t ever give up on them but instead continues to be there for them, to cheer them on and to be a listening ear. A safe space that is client-centered where youth have a voice and where they feel they are truly heard and seen through empathy and understanding of their world view and their experiences of racism and other forms of oppression.

[Michaelene]

I agree with you Anujah. One thing I’d like to add though, is that in some cases Black youth have replied that they do not want to discuss generational trauma or trauma that their parent reports to have experienced. Either way, I agree that it is important to ‘open the door’ so to speak and then Black Youth can determine how far they do or do not want to enter.

[Michaelene]

I am committed to sharing with my colleagues, information or videos etc that highlight Black Youth voices.

[Monica]

One thing I will focus on implementing in my work with Black youth is to listen to their needs.

[Trish]

One of the most important pieces that we can do as Practitioners is to really listen and provide a safe space for black youth to ensure that their voices are heard. We need to create opportunities/forums/clubs for black youth to have a space where these conversations can happen.

[Rochelle]

I think for Anti-Black racism to no longer be a problem you would have to publicly acknowledge it Nationally, Regionally and at all levels. If you acknowledge it, then you have to do something about it. The doing is the challange.

[Rochelle]

For me I felt affirmed as a Black youth because my parents intentionally put me in things that affirmed me. I participated in the Jamaican Canadian Association. I attended a Black Church and my parents even encouraged me to attend an Historically Black University in the United States. These identity affirming experiences fundamentally changed my life.

[Rochelle]

Hello everyone,

I’m Rochelle, I’m the Equity Social Worker with TCDSB. I completed my Master’s degree in social work from Ryerson, where the lens was Anti-Oppressive Practice. I also completed my Bachelor in Social Work degree at a Historically Black University in Alabama and I realized the value of the Black Community being centered.

[Rochelle]

I think one thing I can do is act on the recent report our organization received regarding creating a place for Black Youth to come together to support each other as they experience racist treatment.

[Rochelle]

I too just finished listening to the lectures. It really felt liberating for the Black community to be centered. I’ve often felt lumping many multicultural groups together overlooks unique challenges communities face.

[Michaelene]

Hi Rochelle

It was refreshing and meaninful to read and hear Black voices in this course. For me, it feels more authentic and real.

[Laura]

I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this program and to read all the comments and insights in this virtual cafe. As I was moving through module 1 I was feeling angry that I didn’t know so much of the historical information being presented. At first, my anger was at the educational system who never taught me about Canadian Black history but when I truly reflected on the information and my feelings about it, I recognized that I was feeling angry and disappointment in myself. I had a responsibility to actively educate myself. and I have a responsibility to keep learning. I’m really looking forward to learning more not only from the modules but also from the cafe responses.

[Michaelene]

Hi Laura.

I had some knowledge of the information in this program through post secondary education. However, I couldn’t help but recognize that I have no recollection of such education in elementary or secondary school. I feel really grateful to be in this program as part of my journey to consistently engage so that Black voices are centred and heard.

[CHAIMAA]

I’m new here, I’m a PhD working on evaluation of factors leading to substance use

[Stephanie]

One simple thing I could do is to make sure that the accomplishments of Black people are celebrated everyday and that the walls have posters of Black people and that the movies watched in class and books read by students tell the stories of Black people so that Black youth in schools feel represented and proud.

[Stephanie]

I definitely feel the need to move from awareness to collective action. I think that by viewing policies and practices in institutions from an anti-oppressive lens, by being aware of my own biases, making visible the often invisible forces of white supremacy, and listening, I can make a real difference in the well-being of Black youth. By holding up the accomplishments of Black people and creating spaces where Black excellence is celebrated and seen everyday, where Black leadership is there to guide, and by creating partnerships with families, we can get closer to dismantling systemic racism.

[Michaelene]

So true Stephanie. And I frequently feel the internal tension in moving from awareness to more overt action

[Shauna]

Agreed. I also think there is an indifference about systems of racial advantage and at times a denial that these systems exist at all.

[Maxime]

I agree! And it’s easier for privileged groups to denounce anti-black racism than it is to implement policies and procedures that actually bring about change.

[Michaelene]

Hi Lesley – what keeps coming up for me is ‘the power in what is not taught’