As we transition from Black History Month to charting a future filled with equity, opportunity, and empowerment, Dr. Godwin Ude, Executive Director of Kingdom Acts Foundation (KAF), recently participated in the “Nothing About Us, Without Us Part II” panel discussion. This event reflected on the UN International Decade for People of African Descent and how it has shaped Black communities, particularly in Western Canada.
With a focus on newcomer settlement, food security, housing affordability, social research, and systemic change, Dr. Ude shared key insights on the challenges faced by Black-led organizations and strategies to foster sustainable progress.
ADDRESSING CRITICAL COMMUNITY NEEDS
At Kingdom Acts Foundation, we serve vulnerable populations by providing: ✅ Newcomer Settlement Support – Helping Black immigrants integrate successfully into Canadian society.
✅ Food Security Initiatives – Tackling hunger through food rescue and distribution.
✅ Affordable Housing Advocacy – Ensuring safe and accessible housing for Black Canadians.
✅ Social Research & Policy Influence – Conducting studies to support evidence-based community interventions.
However, despite these efforts, Black-led organizations face numerous barriers to sustainability, including limited resources, systemic discrimination, and geographic dispersal of Black communities.
THE IMPACT OF SBCCI GRANTS ON KAF
The Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI) grants have been instrumental in: 🚀 Expanding Reach – A 40% increase in service capacity, reaching more Black Canadians in need.
💡 Innovative Programs – The creation of culturally relevant mental health and entrepreneurship programs.
🤝 Enhanced Partnerships – Strengthened collaborations with local and national organizations.
These grants have directly impacted community members like Maria, a newcomer who secured a job at UBC, and James, who launched his tech startup through KAF’s business incubator.
BRIDGING THE FUNDING GAP
One of the biggest hurdles Black-led organizations face is lack of sustainable funding. Many grants are short-term, making long-term planning difficult.
🔹 Operational Funding – Core funding for staffing and administration remains scarce.
🔹 Capacity Building – Limited resources for professional development and leadership training.
🔹 Innovation Support – Funding for new culturally relevant programs is lacking.
To address these issues, we advocate for equitable funding models that prioritize long-term impact over short-term solutions.
THE PATH FORWARD: SYSTEMIC CHANGE & BLACK LEADERSHIP
To create real change, we must focus on: 🏛 Policy Engagement – Advocating for federal policies that address systemic barriers.
📈 Data Collection & Research – Using community-led research to shape policies and funding decisions.
🌎 Economic Empowerment – Supporting Black businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
🎓 Educational Equity – Promoting culturally inclusive curricula and mentorship programs.
🏥 Healthcare Access – Expanding culturally competent mental health and medical services.
A CALL TO ACTION: HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT BLACK COMMUNITIES
The journey towards equity and empowerment requires collective effort. You can help by: ✅ Volunteering with Black-led organizations like Kingdom Acts Foundation.
✅ Educating Yourself about Black Canadian history and systemic barriers.
✅ Advocating for policies that support Black communities.
✅ Donating to sustainable programs that drive real change.
As Canada extends the UN Decade for People of African Descent to 2028, we must seize this moment to amplify Black voices, push for systemic reforms, and create lasting change.
✨ Together, we can build a future where Black communities in Canada thrive. ✨
📢 Join the Conversation: What are your thoughts on the challenges and opportunities facing Black-led organizations? Let us know in the comments!
🔗 Learn More About KAF’s Work: https://www.kingdomactsfoundation.com
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