Dear Community Members,

The ACB Organ Health Channel & the Centre for Living Organ Donation at UHN are thrilled to welcome you to be a part of  the pioneering 1^st African Caribbean & Black (ACB) Organ Health Summit sponsored by Sprott Inc.!

Join us at the Radisson Toronto Airport West on October 20th from 12 to 4 p.m. for a day of informative sessions about diabetes, heart disease, and racism in healthcare, along with an interactive panel about organ donation.

Learn from top experts in the field and discover practical tips to improve your overall well-being. Take advantage of this opportunity to prioritize your health and connect with like-minded individuals within ACB communities.

Enjoy Caribbean catering from Edible Bliss and Steel Pan Drumming entertainment! Network with community organizations and speak with people going through similar life journeys.

Date: October 20, 2024

• Time: 12 pm to 4 pm EST
• Location: Radisson Toronto Airport West, 175 Derry Rd E, Mississauga, ON L5T 2Z7
• Registration: Link to FREE Registration

We are thrilled to invite you to The Capital Rainbow Refuge’s Freedom Soirée, inviting you to its most significant event of the year, which supports LGBTQI+ refugees in Eastern Ontario.

Join the group on November 16th, 2024, at the Canadian Museum of History for a night filled with live performances, a delicious three-course meal, and live performances by local queer and ally artists.

You can get your ticket directly to support the organization’s effort to help LGBTQI+ newcomers thrive.

Get your Early Bird tickets now: https://capitalrainbow.ca/fs

From the Capital Rainbow Refuge Team

A significant highlight of the ceremony was the special announcement of a series of discussions captioned SHESpeaks National Conversations (Sisterhood for Health Equity). Dr. Etowa will lead the conversation in collaboration with critical stakeholders Canada-wide.

The ACB people hope for a sustainable framework for race-based data to address the disparities in the healthcare sector regarding the health of Black women. Visit for a comprehensive report.  https://co-creath.com/black-womens-health-initiative/

Despite the ACB people’s visible minority status, Dr. Etowa informed the meeting that they are the least visible population in health services and health research.

“Currently, 3.5% of Canada’s total population identifies as Black and represents 15.6% of visible minorities. Social determinants, structural inequalities, and discrimination are known to account for the disproportionate health risks and differential health outcomes experienced in Black Canadian populations,” added Etowa.

The professor of nursing also reminded the committee of the added burden of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality challenges, which led to severe health problems for the community and the government and subsequent loss of social capital, cultural equity, and a productive labor workforce.

Burden of Francophone Canadians

However, one of the critical issues requiring urgent attention from her observation was the multifaceted barriers to accessing suitable and responsive health services. She stressed that the findings from the AC Study and APCI 1.0 National study indicated that francophone Black Canadians face more challenges accessing health care as members of a linguistic minority, especially outside of the French-speaking province of Quebec.

“Francophone ACB people were disadvantaged in ways that may have compromised access to health and social services, especially during COVID-19,” Noted Etowa.

She called for structural and policy actions to address the language barrier and other structural factors affecting the Black Community.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH)

CADHO has built a network of partnerships with leading health organizations in Ottawa, such as the Ottawa Public Health (OPH). Through this partnership, CADHO and OPH have established trust in addressing the various health challenges faced by the African, Caribbean, and Black communities.

More recently, at the CADHO community engagement and multicultural festival event, the OPH connected Black families to a variety of resources and services at the OPH Neighbourhood and Wellness Hubs (OttawaPublicHealth.ca/NeighbourhoodHub). At these hubs, Ottawa residents can access vaccinations, parenting, dental screening, and social services.

CO-CREATH LAB:

The Collaborative Critical Research for Equity and Transformation in Health (CO-CREATH) Laboratory at the University of Ottawa is a partner with CADHO.

Amoy Jacques, the CO-CREATH program manager, stated that the lab is focused on inspiring the younger generation to have a positive impact on health outcomes and data collection. Speaking with community members at the end of the summer CADHO event, “We want to tell a different story in 10 years time to inspire change and progress.”

More recently, the CO-CREATH Lab introduced the concept of critical health and racial literacy, explaining its importance in understanding and accessing better healthcare, as the program aims to teach individuals how to interpret health information and advocate for themselves within the healthcare system.

The goal of the CO-CREATH partnership with CADHO is to provide the next generation with the knowledge they need to ask the right questions, navigate the healthcare system effectively, and interact with peers and community partners to transform health outcomes.

Visit the CO-CREATH Lab website to learn more about programs and other initiatives of importance.

AIDS COMMITTEE OTTAWA (ACO)

At the recent CADHO health sensitization event, ACO provided a mental health expert to discuss the link between financial management, mental health, and chronic diseases affecting the ACB community.

ACO has been instrumental in building and strengthening efforts to improve the ACB community’s health. Their collaboration with CADHO has covered a wide range of initiatives aimed at HIV/AIDS prevention and education. This longstanding partnership includes comprehensive care, outreach programs, workshops, training sessions, and numerous other activities.

ACO and CADHO, in partnership with CO-CREATH, have continued to collaborate on HIV/AIDS prevention and education.

The Canadians of African Descent Health Organization (CADHO) remain committed to its mission of improving health outcomes for the Black community. Through education, empowerment, and engagement, CADHO is reaching more individuals, making strides towards a healthier future for all African Caribbean and Black (ACB) community members.

CADHO aimed to raise awareness and recognize the unique health challenges faced by the Black community in Ottawa, Canada, through the “Cross-Cultural Health and Community Resilience” event. Despite the rain, which interrupted the event midway, Black resilience showed forth as the ACB community members remained under the provided tents, ready to participate in the event’s line-up.

The event, which took place at Vincent Massey Park, was in partnership with CO-CREATH Lab at the University of Ottawa, the Ottawa Public Health (OPH), and the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO), and brought together Black individuals to foster community engagement and advocacy to address health disparities and promote culturally sensitive healthcare.

As a melting pot of cultures, with families, elders, and youth coming together to learn about health and wellness, CADHO’s president, Professor Josephine Etowa, offered information on a range of topics, from diabetes management to mental health support.

Etowa, a full professor of nursing at the University of Ottawa, said that “the event’s August date symbolizes the emancipation from slavery. It is an opportunity to celebrate our freedom as Black Canadians, particularly in relation to our health, as research during the COVID-19 showed the virus had a huge effect on the Black community.”  Prof. Etowa stated, “CADHO selected the event’s theme with the intention of celebrating our culture. We also want to link that to health and community resilience because we know its proportionate impact on health determinants such as education, food security, gender, access to healthcare, and how that can impact the health of Black people.”

She urged the community to constantly be on the alert and come together to find ways to create solutions to tackle these determinants that affect Black people’s health, with the goal of curbing disease conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, COVID, and HIV in Black communities.

To assess the research needs of the Black community in Ottawa, Dr. Chinedu Oraka, the chair of CADHO’s Research and Knowledge-to-Action Committee, conducted an online survey, gathering participants’ input to prioritize research topics that best address the Black community’s health needs and challenges. He encouraged non-online poll participants to do the same survey on paper.

“We want to tell a different story in 10 years time to inspire change and progress,” said a representative from CO-CREATH Lab, Amoy Jacques, during her presentation. “The focus is on inspiring the younger generation to have a positive impact on health outcomes and data collection. So, it is important to understand health information and advocate for better healthcare.”

Jacques said that at the CO-CREATH Lab, they have introduced the concept of critical health and racial literacy, explaining its importance in understanding and accessing better healthcare as the program aims to teach individuals how to interpret health information and advocate for themselves within the healthcare system.

She said part of the goal is to equip the next generation with the knowledge to ask the right questions and navigate the healthcare system effectively, adding that it is important to engage with community partners and peers to transform health outcomes.

Jacques highlighted the peer equity navigation program, saying its aim is to collect and share health information within the community, while introducing the Black Women’s Health Research Agenda program called “She Speaks,” which is more focused on addressing the health issues faced by Black women in Canada. She encouraged participants to visit the CO-CREATH Lab website to learn more about the program and other initiatives.

“There is a need to support adults with various challenges, including substance abuse, homelessness, mental health, and work-related problems,” said Dania Versailles, Director of Clinical Services in Community Mental Health at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), during her presentation on mental health.

Versailles emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues to reduce the need for frequent visits to the emergency departments or mental health units.

“The CADHO event has been informative, especially on health education and community belonging,” said Adam Nuraddeen, a community engagement lead for the Umoja Black community at Carleton University and a participant at the event.

Nuraddeen emphasizes how racism and anti-Blackness have exacerbated the significant issue of mental health and mental illness, particularly among Black youths. He said, “This has forced Black people into survival mode, making them feel psychologically inferior and more susceptible to hostility and violence.”

Despite these challenges, Nuraddeen sees an opportunity for inclusive education, awareness, and empowerment for the ACB community in addressing mental health and physical health issues, such as diabetes and heart disease. Nuraddeen is pleased that CADHO’s event has mobilized the ACB community to work together to ensure better health outcomes for all ages.

A particularly impactful aspect of the event was the involvement of teens and kids in a game called “The Building Blocks of Health,” spearheaded by Kani Osiagwu and Sasha Nyanor, who are both volunteers of the CO-CREATH Lab at the University of Ottawa.

While explaining the significance of the game, the duo said, “The idea behind the activity is to identify and share go-to health resources within the community. We designed the game to enhance youths’ awareness and understanding of health issues.

They said the activity included questions about Black health and the disproportionality of Black people seeking healthcare due to discrimination, as the goal is to make learning about these issues fun and engaging for the youngsters as well as educate the community about available health resources.

Both Kani and Sasha agreed that Canada can use its multicultural potential to ensure that all people have access to healthcare and health resources.

We are excited to announce that CADHO in collaboration with CO-CREATH lab will be hosting a cross-cultural festival on August 31st at Vincent Massey Park.

In light of Emancipation day, join us as we celebrate our cultural differences while enjoying music, dancing, games, discussions, guest performances, delicious food and much more, all for free!

Be sure to invite a friend or family member as we build community resilience and discuss matters that impact our communities.

Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/yspP2J2HrP
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Nous sommes ravis d’annoncer que CADHO, en collaboration avec le laboratoire CO-CREATH, organisera un festival interculturel d’été le 31 août au parc Vincent Massey.

À l’occasion de la Journée de l’émancipation, rejoignez-nous pour célébrer nos différences culturelles en profitant de la musique, de la danse, des jeux, des discussions, des performances d’invités, de la nourriture délicieuse et bien plus encore, le tout gratuitement !

N’oubliez pas d’inviter un ami ou un membre de la famille alors que nous renforçons la résilience communautaire et discutons des questions qui impactent nos communautés.

Inscrivez-vous ici: https://forms.office.com/r/yspP2J2HrP

#blackhealth #blackselfcare #communityresilience #crossculturalfestival #festival #blackhealthmatters #antiracism #blackyouthmatters #blackyouth #613819 #ottawablackscene #summerevent #ottawa #gatineau

In a culturally diverse country like Canada, the importance of culturally appropriate mental health services cannot be overstated. Developing and promoting these services involves creating mental health care systems and practices that respect and respond to the cultural differences of individuals from various backgrounds, especially those of African, Caribbean, and Black immigrants.

Here is a brief elaboration on what this entails:

Understanding Cultural Differences

Effective mental health services must first recognize the cultural backgrounds of the populations they serve. Cultural differences can significantly influence how individuals perceive mental health, symptoms, and treatment. This understanding helps in tailoring services that are sensitive to these cultural nuances.

 Training and Education

Mental health professionals should receive training that equips them with cultural competence. This includes understanding cultural values, beliefs, communication styles, and specific mental health challenges prevalent in different communities. Training programs should emphasize empathy, respect, and effective cross-cultural communication.

Community Involvement

Involving community leaders and members in the development of mental health services ensures that these services are aligned with the community’s needs and values. Collaboration with community organizations can also enhance trust and encourage individuals to seek help.

 Language Accessibility

Providing mental health services in multiple languages is crucial for accessibility. This includes offering interpretation services, translating informational materials, and ensuring that language barriers do not hinder individuals from receiving the care they need.

Tailored Interventions

Developing interventions that are tailored to specific cultural contexts can improve their effectiveness. For example, incorporating traditional healing practices or culturally relevant therapy models can resonate better with individuals from certain backgrounds.

 Reducing Stigma

Addressing mental health stigma within various cultural contexts is essential. Public awareness campaigns and education initiatives should be designed to reduce stigma and promote understanding of mental health issues within diverse cultural communities.

Policy and Advocacy

Advocating for policies that support culturally appropriate mental health services is vital. This includes ensuring that funding, resources, and regulations promote the development and sustainability of such services.

Research and Evaluation

Ongoing research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of culturally appropriate mental health services. This helps in refining approaches and ensuring that they meet the evolving needs of diverse populations. By prioritizing cultural appropriateness in mental health services, we can create a more inclusive and effective mental health care system. This not only improves outcomes for individuals but also contributes to the overall well-being and cohesion of our diverse societies.

The moment I received my Permanent Resident visa to Canada, I was overjoyed. This is a feeling that many African Caribbean and Black immigrants can relate to. The excitement of moving to a land of dreams, where opportunities seem endless, overshadowed everything else. I felt ready to embark on this new phase of my life, confident in my financial, physical, and perhaps even spiritual preparation. However, what I failed to consider was the emotional and mental impact that relocating to a new country would have on my health.

 Coming from a country where mental health is often downplayed, I had no idea what to expect. Thankfully, social media platforms like Twitter have started to raise awareness, but uprooting one’s life and starting afresh in a different country can still take a significant toll on mental health. For many African Caribbean and Black Immigrants, this transition can be particularly challenging.

Moving to Canada is often viewed as a gateway to a better life, filled with opportunities and a multicultural embrace. However, the reality for many African Caribbean and Black immigrants, including myself, was a rude awakening. Despite Canada’s reputation for diversity and inclusion, African Caribbean and Black immigrants frequently encounter unique cultural challenges that can be both surprising and disheartening, profoundly affecting their mental and emotional well-being.

Some of the factors contributing to this problem include

Cultural Adjustment and Isolation

The initial excitement of arriving in Canada can quickly be overshadowed by feelings of isolation. It’s so easy for Immigrants to find themselves in environments where their cultural backgrounds are not well understood or appreciated. This can lead to a sense of alienation, making it difficult to integrate and feel at home.

Navigating Subtle Racism and Microaggressions

While Canada prides itself on being a multicultural society, subtle forms of racism and microaggressions are still prevalent. African Caribbean and Black immigrants often encounter these daily, whether through offhand comments, unwarranted assumptions about their abilities, or exclusion from social circles. These experiences can erode self-esteem and create a sense of being perpetually othered.

Professional Hurdles and Bias

In the professional sphere, African Caribbean and Black Immigrants may face significant challenges in securing employment that matches their qualifications and experience. Bias, both conscious and unconscious, can result in their skills being undervalued. Many find themselves overqualified yet underemployed, struggling to break through a glass ceiling that seems ever-present.

When I first moved here, I learned there was something called Canadian experience that Canadian employers were looking for. And it made me wonder why the government did not address this in the first place. When professional immigrants are disregarded based on their lack of Canadian experience, it takes a toll on one’s mental health. This major obstacle can be overcome by providing government-funded programs tailor-made for immigrants for seamless integration into the system. Doing this will enrich the labour force in Canada while ensuring Immigrants can maximize their skills in the process.

The Reality of Systemic Barriers

Systemic barriers also play a significant role in the experiences of African Caribbean and Black immigrants in Canada. From accessing quality healthcare to finding suitable housing, these obstacles can hinder their ability to thrive. Educational institutions and workplaces, despite their best intentions, often lack the cultural competency to fully support African Caribbean, and Black Immigrants.

Despite these challenges, the resilience of African Caribbean and Black Immigrants is profound. Many find strength in their communities, building networks of support that provide both comfort and resources. Organizations and groups dedicated to the empowerment of African, Caribbean, and Black immigrants play a crucial role in navigating and overcoming these hurdles. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort from all sectors of Canadian society. There needs to be greater awareness and action towards eliminating bias and creating truly inclusive spaces. Policies that actively support the integration and success of African Caribbean and Black immigrants must be prioritized.

The journey of African Caribbean and Black Immigrants in Canada is one of both challenge and triumph. By acknowledging and addressing the cultural shocks and systemic barriers they face, we can work towards a Canada that truly lives up to its promise of diversity and inclusion.

In an unprecedented move, experts in the field of Black women’s health have launched ambitious health plans called the Black Women’s Health Agenda for the decade spanning 2025–2035 and the Black Women’s Health Initiative.

The Black Women Health Hybrid Conference held at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa is aimed at addressing the most pressing health issues affecting Black women in Canada with a focus on creating a socially just society where optimal health and well-being are a reality for all. At the launch, Josephine Etowa, a Professor of Nursing at the University of Ottawa, said during her presentation, “Within the Black population, gender and other intersecting social identities shape experiences and impact the health and wellbeing of Black people.

Etowa said African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) people in Ontario are overrepresented among HIV cases of known race or ethnicity. Adding to that, ACB women comprised 59 percent of first-time diagnoses among women in 2019 and 44 percent of first-time diagnoses among women in 2020, which is followed by 31 percent White and 13 percent Indigenous.

Her presentation further exposes the inequality in HIV diagnoses, as Black people annually account for one of every four new diagnoses, while stating that Black people living with HIV have a higher mortality rate than their White counterparts.

“This overrepresentation is believed to be in part due to socioeconomic and structural factors such as HIV-related stigma, gender discrimination, and anti-Black racism, which converge to increase the vulnerability of HIV infection by reducing access to HIV prevention,” Etowa said.

The Professor of Nursing adds that the goal and objective of the initiative are to ignite and improve systems and structures that enable and support effective service design and delivery for Black women’s health and well-being, using high-quality evidence and race as well as gender transformative approaches.

As part of its long-term strategy, the Black Women’s Health Initiative plans to address the public health challenges of reproductive health, mental health, infectious diseases, and chronic diseases. Its research agenda aims to address the impact of anti-Black racism, social conditions, employment and working conditions, and gender discrimination.

At the panel discussion chaired by Sarah Onyango, Dr. Angela Kaida, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, said that there are health disparities among Black women in Canada and that these disparities can be bridged by focusing on funding and equalization policies.

Kaida highlighted the importance of considering social determinants of health, particularly for racialized women, who face unique challenges in accessing healthcare. Emphasizing the need for a community-based approach to address the experiences of Black women in Canada rather than relying on individual representation.

The Assistant Professor who is the Scientific Director of the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Gender and Health further highlighted the underrepresentation of women and racialized researchers in health research funding, stating that CIHR is carrying out an equalization policy aiming to address inequality in funding for racialized researchers.

Dr. Anika Hines, Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Health Behaviour, and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, mentioned that in the US, disparities in maternal health result in cardiovascular issues, which in turn impact healthcare quality for Black women in the US.

She adds that historical and systemic racism affects health outcomes for Black women, pointing out that Black women are faced daily with chronic stressors, leading to higher rates of chronic diseases in the country. Hines proposed a research project to investigate the root causes of these health disparities, including structural and personal factors.

The next steps of action, Etowa said, include initiating a dialogue with Black women, ACB communities, experts in the field, and other stakeholders. Following this, Etowa announced a year-long Sisterhood for Health Equity, dubbed SHESpeaks National Conversations, to emphasize the importance of the Black Women’s Health Initiative.

The 10-year plan (2025–2023) research agenda is not just a plan; it is a promise—a promise to future generations of Black women and girls that their health and well-being are paramount. It is a commitment to building a Canadian health system where they can live their lives to the fullest, free from the health disparities that have long plagued their communities.

The experts in the field of Black women’s health stand at the forefront of this transformative journey, ready to lead the charge in making optimal health a reality for all Black women and girls. With this plan, Black researchers continue to highlight the resilience, power, and innovation of Black women, collaborating with them on their life-health journey and interpreting their lived experiences with hope and action.

Nigerian Theodora Udounwa made History in Canada by becoming the youngest graduate in the history of the University of Toronto’s Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. Click on the link to read the rest of the story. https://www.iafricavoices.org/dashboard/articles/56

The Network of Black Businesses and Professional Women, KUNDI is hosting a Networking Event for Black Women at 44 Byward Market Square, suite 270, with the theme for June as Work-Life Balance. It is a chance to connect with like-minded individuals and build valuable relationships and an opportunity for personal growth. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, this event is the perfect platform to expand your network and support system. Don’t miss out on this empowering gathering! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/kundi-a-networking-event-for-black-women-june-2024-edition-tickets