Author: Cindy-Ann Williams

Black Opportunity Fund is a National Community Impact Partner to the Black Life Impact Foundation, taking part in the Black Life: Untold Stories – Public Engagement and Educational Impact Campaign a ground-breaking initiative to deepen public knowledge about Canada’s Black history.

Launching March 21st, 2023 – the International Day for the Elimination of Racism, the campaign is centered around the Black Life: Untold Stories, an 8-part documentary series that will take audiences on a journey through more than 400 years of history, highlighting the vital role that Black people in Canada have played in shaping our country. Presenting an unvarnished examination of the idea of Canada as a sanctuary, while also focusing on contemporary issues affecting the Black community. The series will premiere in the coming 2023-24 broadcast year on CBC and CBC Gem.

The campaign will deepen and expand the series’ reach beyond the tv broadcasts, with an educational learning hub and digital museum, live viewing events, and cultural products. Funds will support cross-country engagement events.

For more information, please visit: www.blacklifeseries.com

If you would like to help support this great initiative, donate at:

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/72659

 

The Black Opportunity Fund is seeking volunteer Adjudicators to review and adjudicate applications for its upcoming granting program, which is provided through funding from the TD Ready Commitment. The upcoming BOF grant program launching in March of 2023, will have the following two program streams:

1) Arts and Culture
2) Criminal Justice

You should consider a nomination if:

– You are a Black individual, living in Canada, with an understanding of anti-Black racism and systemic racism and its effects on Black communities in Canada
– You can apply funding criteria and make fair, unbiased recommendations
– You have a deep sense of understanding barriers facing Black not-for-profits and charities in Canada
– You have previous experiencing reviewing or adjudicating grant applications, OR previous experience in Black community focused organizations
– You are bilingual (an asset!)

Self-nominations are accepted, please only consider nominating someone else with their consent! As this is a national grant program, BOF encourages applications from all regions of Canada.

BOF is committed to the fulsome inclusion of the Black Canadian experience through diverse representation; it is strongly encouraged that individuals from all backgrounds and identities consider applying.

What to Expect:

Adjudicators will be required to participate in a mandatory virtual orientation. Individuals should expect to volunteer up to 30 hours of their time before April 30th, 2023.

To apply, visit [Link]

The Grant Program will be open for applications in early March.

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our virtual townhall last Wednesday! We were so pleased with the turnout and the feedback from our community members and thrilled to have shared some updates on our Sickle Cell Disease partnership with SickKids and Walmart Canada, some of our recipients of our Education and Health Grant program with TD and the work we do with BMO, National Bank and the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce to support Black Entrepreneurs.

If you missed our townhall, you can watch the recording in full here: https://youtu.be/MCRP8_DDPIw

As always, our commitment is to serve and empower Canada’s diverse Black communities and we look forward to our progress ahead.