Citizenship comes with rights and responsibilities. The right to vote and be voted for in our democratic dispensation is just one example. The majority of Black individuals feel very alienated from the system and are often not engaged. This is a direct result of systemic racism and discrimination. These two evils destroy human souls and make us less engaged.ACAO is working to change that. Using events, festivals and other programs ACAO encourages community participation in civic and democratic discourses.

We have seen an increase in the number of Black candidates for municipal, provincial and federal elections. Previous elections also saw an increase in voter turnout from the Black community. This is an initiative we will continue to invest resources in.

CULTURAL AND LEARNING

We educate people about African cultures. Sadly, most Canadians do not know anything about Black people though Blacks have been here since the 16th Century, long before the present-day Canada. The problem is most school curriculums are silent…
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Mental Health ACAO

MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES

In the Black community there is a negative stigma surrounding mental health. Instead of seeking professional help for conditions such as depression and anxiety some people in the community resort to self-medication (drugs, opioids, alcohol,…
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CIVIC EDUCATION

Citizenship comes with rights and responsibilities. The right to vote and be voted for in our democratic dispensation is just one example. The majority of Black individuals feel very alienated from the system and are often not engaged. This…
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DIVERSITY INITIATIVES

Many organizations across our city have awaken to the fact that diversity makes us stronger and has measurable benefits besides the fact that it is the right thing to do. A diversity initiative is an organization's strategic response to diversity.…
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Economic Empowerment ACAO

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

Black Canadians represent a little over one million of the Canadian population. This number is projected to double by 2036. Today, Black communities across Canada face unique challenges that negatively impact their integration into the greater…
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SETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION

The Settlement and Integration Program assists immigrants and their families to learn about Canada’s systems and services. We offer opportunities for immigrants to develop language skills, learn about Canada’s labour market, network and…
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