Project Woke

PROJECT WOKE

The development of Project Woke was inspired by the question put forward by the BCRC “What would Black Canadian Youth have to say if they were present at the Ministerial Forum on Anti-racism which was held by the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, Hon. Pablo Rodriguez, P.C, M.P., on October 25, 2018. To answer this question the BCRC developed this project with the aim of providing Black Youth in Montreal with the tools that they need such as civic education and leadership skills to give them confidence to explore this question. The goal of this project is to allow Black Youth to have the opportunity to analyze, critique and propose solutions to racism and anti-racism policies.

GOALS

These results are meant to complement anti-racist research that has previously been conducted by adding perspective into the experience of the Black English speaking community, especially the youth in this community whose voices are often not heard.

Ultimately, Project Woke desires to identify the gaps in current anti racism policies and provide suggestions that will ensure that these policies will have a positive impact on the lives of Black individuals.

We acknowledge and want to make aware that Black people have historically contributed to this nation and have ties to this country even before slavery. Canada needs to acknowledge their historically racist past as a first step in creating an Anti-racist future.

Research topics

Black History in Canada: The erasure of Black People’s Contributions to Canadian Society
Mental Health in the Black Community and Racism’s Effect on the Mental Health of the Black Community
Regaining Agency: Exploring the Ways the Black Community Responds to Racism

We chose to explore these topics because we have identified them as an important part of Black people’s lived experience which needs to be further explored and developed in Canada’s anti-racism strategy in order to successfully achieve Canada’s goal and support the development of Black communities.

POLICY REPORT

CONSULTATIONS

Black Community Forum AGM
December 16th, 2019
Living History Exhibition
February 6th, 2020 at Concordia University Webster Library
Woke Wellness: Healing Black Minds
February 21st, 2020 at Walkley Community Centre

SURVEYS

Online Survey
-Survey designed by survey monkey and advertised on Facebook from March 12th-21st, 2020
In Person Survey
-Jamaica Association event-February 26th, 2020
In Person Survey
-Black Federation of Quebec Youth Forum-February 29th, 2020

INTERNS VIDEO REFLECTIONS

Interns Audio Reflections

PROJECT PARTNERS

Our Team

Anti-Racism Advisor : Sherrise Ettienne
Youth Engagement officer: Rita Rwigamba
Community Outreach: Ashley Joseph Philipeaux
Project Coordination: Abdul Majeed & Raeanne Francis

1 2

Thanks to our Partners

This project has been funded by the Government of Canada and Québec. We also acknowledge that without our great partners, this project couldn’t be possible. A special thanks to our partners; Youth In Motion, Desta Black Youth Network, Demoskratos, the Fight Inside Society, and the Walkley Centre.