VICTORIA, B.C. – Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate and honour Black Canadians and Canadians of African Ancestry who contribute to the economic, social, and political progress of our country. On February 4th and 25th, Black Community leaders will takeover B.C. Green leader Sonia Furstenau’s social media platforms, to share their voices and spotlight Black contributions and achievements.
“I am honored to work with Nerissa Allen and Clavia Alleyne, co-founders of the Black Business Association of BC, and community leader Parker Johnson, host of This is Table Talk, to recognize the past and present contributions of our Black communities and engage with their work,” said Sonia Furstenau, MLA for Cowichan Valley and leader of the B.C. Green party.
“British Columbia’s Black communities have been integral to our province, dating back to before the colony was first founded. As legislators, it is our responsibility to take action on the systemic anti-Black racism that exists in British Columbia and support Black communities in our province.”
The B.C. Green Caucus will continue to call on government to:
- Formally recognize the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD).
- Develop an action plan to combat anti-Black racism in our province and invest in the existing grassroots organizations led by Black community leaders here in B.C.
- Reform our education system to add B.C.’s Black history to the provincial curriculum and expand the scope of the anti-racism education roundtable.
- Ensure that B.C.’s COVID-19 recovery prioritizes targeted relief and support for Black communities in British Columbia.
- Align with the federal government’s collection of race-based data, so our health officials and government can have the uniform information we need to deliver the best support to racialized communities in our COVID-19 recovery.
“The last two years have showcased the inequalities in our systems and how marginalized people are most affected. As we recover from COVID-19 we need to actively work to be an equitable province, where diversity is recognized as part of our collective strength.”
ABOUT
The Black Business Association of BC exists to make a difference through strategic planning and mentorship to create strong Black businesses and entrepreneurs. They strive to foster excellence in the world of business and uplift the communities we live in. Website: www.blackbusinessbc.ca
This is Table Talk: Hosted by Parker Johnson, the conversational platform is a project dedicated to bringing diverse communities together to discuss topics relevant to the communities' lived experiences. Website: www.thisistabletalk.com
-30-
Media contact
JoJo Beattie
Press Secretary
B.C. Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | [email protected]