Introduction
Community engagement isn’t just about connecting people—it’s about cultivating empowerment, trust, and sustainability. For Black communities in Ontario, the importance of culturally relevant engagement cannot be overstated. These efforts go beyond generic approaches, recognizing the unique histories, needs, and strengths of the community.
Building more inclusive, impactful community engagement practices can not only uplift Black Ontarians but also address systemic barriers and foster equity. This blog dives into the current landscape, highlights successful initiatives, and lays out strategies for engaging Black communities in meaningful ways.
The Current Landscape of Community Engagement for Black Ontarians
Black Canadians have made invaluable contributions to Ontario’s cultural, economic, and social fabric. However, systemic barriers—from racial inequities to social exclusion—continue to impact opportunities and well-being within Black communities.
Community engagement efforts often fail to account for the lived experiences and cultural identities of Black Ontarians. Traditional public policies and programs may inadvertently marginalize these communities by overlooking their specific needs. However, through culturally relevant engagement strategies, organizations and leaders can begin to address historical inequities and create spaces where Black Canadians thrive.
Impactful Community Engagement Initiatives
Several community-led and culturally tailored initiatives have already made a positive impact on Black communities in Ontario. These examples showcase innovative practices and highlight what’s possible when the focus is on cultural context and community strength:
- Imani Breakthrough Project
A faith-based intervention hosted by Black and Latinx churches, this project has demonstrated successful outcomes in opioid recovery. Participants showed improved wellness and stronger participation in community life (Bellamy et al., 2021; Jordan et al., 2023).
- Black PRAISE
This faith-driven initiative addresses HIV stigma and promotes awareness within Black communities through culturally-informed workshops in congregations (Husbands et al., 2020).
- Arts-Based Youth Interventions
Creative programs focused on substance-use prevention and education have successfully engaged Black youth, leveraging art and storytelling to shift attitudes (Maina et al., 2022).
- Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)
CBPR models, driven by collaboration with community members, have been instrumental in creating culturally tailored health services (Windsor & Murugan, 2012). This has built trust and ensured alignment with community values.
These initiatives reflect the potential of community-driven, culturally relevant approaches to strengthen resilience, tackle systemic racism, and support Black empowerment (James & Jordan, 2018).
Strategies for Culturally Relevant Engagement
Effective community engagement requires intentionality, cultural awareness, and innovative thinking. Below are proven strategies specifically designed to meet the needs of Black Ontarians.
1. Co-Develop Anti-Racist Frameworks
Co-create anti-racist public policies and health frameworks to foster equitable access to resources. Engaging Black communities in the development process ensures their voices are heard, and their specific experiences are addressed.
2. Prioritize Representation
Diversify leadership within community organizations. Representation matters—more Black professionals in roles such as harm reduction workers, community planners, and outreach specialists build trust within communities.
3. Peer-Based Programs
Adopt peer-led initiatives like naloxone distribution programs. Black-led peer programs create ownership and accountability within the community in addressing challenges like overdose prevention.
4. Address Social Determinants of Health
Harm reduction strategies must go beyond addressing symptoms of systemic issues. By championing equity in housing, education, and employment, policymakers can address root causes that disproportionately affect Black Ontarians.
5. Leverage Faith-Based Interventions
Faith organizations play a significant role in Black communities. Programs like Imani Breakthrough have demonstrated how faith-centered spaces can support recovery efforts and reduce stigma around mental health and substance use.
6. Engage At-Risk Youth
Programs that actively involve Black youth in decision-making give them ownership of interventions. Empowering young people to plan culturally informed solutions contributes to long-lasting change.
7. Celebrate and Acknowledge Black History
Design programs to honour the legacy and resilience of Black communities in Ontario. Recognizing history and celebrating cultural identity fosters self-determination and a sense of belonging.
8. Create Safe Spaces
Develop BIPOC-specific drop-in centres and wellness hubs where Black communities can access culturally competent services. Safe spaces provide a foundation for community trust and connection.
A Shared Vision for the Future
Culturally relevant community engagement thrives on active participation.
To Black Ontarians: Your voices are essential. Share your experiences, join programs, and encourage others to get involved.
To leaders and activists: Advocate for trust-building initiatives, challenge systemic inequities, and celebrate Black strengths. Collaborate with grassroots organizations and embrace inclusion.
Organizations and policymakers: Support Black-led initiatives and partnerships to dismantle barriers and empower communities.
Through collaboration, innovation, and shared values, we can create lasting opportunities and build a stronger, more inclusive Ontario. Together, progress is possible.
References:
- Owczarzak, J., Weicker, N.P., Urquhart, G.J., Morris, M., Park, J.N., & Sherman, S.G. (2020). “We know the streets:” race, place, and the politics of harm reduction. Health & place, 64, 102376 .
- Jordan, A. (2023). Meeting People Where They’re At: Safety Optimization in Addiction Treatment Research. Biological Psychiatry, 93.
- Canie, J., Tobah, S., Sanchez, A. M., & Wathen, C. N. (2024). Research with Black Communities to Inform Co-Development of a Framework for Anti-Racist Health and Community Programming. The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieres, 8445621241254883. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/08445621241254883
- Godkhindi, P., Nussey, L. & O’Shea, T. “They’re causing more harm than good”: a qualitative study exploring racism in harm reduction through the experiences of racialized people who use drugs. Harm Reduct J 19, 96 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00672-y
- Husbands, W., Kerr, J., Calzavara, L., Tharao, W., Greenspan, N., Muchenje-Marisa, M., Luyombya, H., Nakamwa, J., Arnold, K., Nakiweewa, S., & Browne, O. (2021). Black PRAISE: engaging Black congregations to strengthen critical awareness of HIV affecting Black Canadian communities. Health promotion international, 36(2), 303–312. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaa057
- Bellamy, C.D., Costa, M., Wyatt, J.P., Mathis, M., Sloan, A., Budge, M., Blackman, K., Ocasio, L., Reis, G., Guy, K., Anderson, R.R., Stewart Copes, M., & Jordan, A. (2021). A collaborative culturally-centered and community-driven faith-based opioid recovery initiative: the Imani Breakthrough project. Social Work in Mental Health, 19, 558 – 567.
- Jordan, A., Costa, M., Nich, C., Swarbrick, M., Babuscio, T., Wyatt, J.P., O’Connell, M.J., Guy, K., Blackman, K., Anderson, R.R., Reis, G., Ocasio, L., Crespo, M., & Bellamy, C.D. (2023). Breaking through social determinants of health: Results from a feasibility study of Imani Breakthrough, a community developed substance use intervention for Black and Latinx people. Journal of substance use and addiction treatment, 209057 .
- Maina, G., Li, Y., Fang, Y. et al. Exploring arts-based interventions for youth substance use prevention: a scoping review of literature. BMC Public Health 22, 2281 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14714-4
- Windsor, L.C., & Murugan, V. (2012). From the Individual to the Community: Perspectives About Substance Abuse Services. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 12, 412 – 433.
- James, K., & Jordan, A. (2018). The Opioid Crisis in Black Communities. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 46, 404 – 421.
