Anti-racism funds needed, group says

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This article was published 11/06/2020 (2099 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Promises of federal money for anti-racism programs and Black community organizations need to be fulfilled more than ever, says the leader of a local group seeking grants to expand a mentorship program for Black youth.

“How many lives do we have to lose before we get the money that we need for programs for our kids?” Titi Tijani said.

Tijani is the president of African Communities of Manitoba Inc., which represents more than 30 local cultural groups for Manitobans of African descent. The organization is among those that have applied for funding from the federal government’s $15-million anti-racism action program.

Announced as part of Canada’s $45-million anti-racism strategy last year, it has yet to distribute any money. Funding announcements for the program are expected this summer. Applications were accepted from September 2019 to January 2020, and are still being reviewed.

Danielle Keenan, a spokeswoman for Bardish Chagger, federal minister of diversity, inclusion and youth, said getting the money out to help community programs continue their work is a priority for the minister.

Community groups haven’t yet been able to apply for other federal money meant to support Black Canadians, including $25 million announced in the March 2019 federal budget proposed to be delivered over five years, starting last year.

Last month, the office of Ahmed Hussen, minister of families, children and social development, announced the money would be doled out through intermediary organizations.

In a statement to the Free Press, a spokesperson for Hussen said grassroots groups will be able to apply for $100,000 grants before the end of this month, and the money is expected to flow to them before the end of the year.

Through her volunteer work with ACOMI, Tijani said she’s seen a gap in community programs for Black people who are not refugees or newcomers to Canada. That’s part of the reason she wants to expand Black youth mentorship and focus on supporting their mental wellness.

It’s particularly important, she said, amid international Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and while people are still coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is heavily important now more than ever before. The mental health of our youth is key to having productive citizens, and also, for adults, to also be able to mentor them. So it is now, more than ever before, that we actually need those funds. If they are going to come, they need to come now,” Tijani said.

Support for grassroots programs is key, she said, because of the perception larger organizations are more disconnected from the people they’re meant to serve.

“We want community programs (to be run) by community people, and that’s why you can have long-term solutions for some of these social ills that are happening,” Tijani said. “And the government needs to come along. Enough of supporting large organizations that are so far away from the grassroots.”

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay