What to know
- The fifth National Black Canadians Summit takes place in Winnipeg from Sept. 18 to 20, bringing together 1,000 to 1,500 Black Canadians and allies under the theme “Moving Forward Together.”
- Youth aged 18 to 30 can attend for free, with youth-led programming, community projects and opportunities to shape discussions.
- The three-day event will feature keynotes, workshops, performances and panels focused on issues including Black mental health, arts and culture, and Black-Indigenous solidarity.
- General admission is $196 for those 30 and older, with highlights including performances by Jully Black and a Power of Youth Day featuring 25 community projects from across Canada.
The fifth National Black Canadians Summit is bringing Black communities, youth, leaders and allies together this September for three jam-packed days of conversation, culture and collective action.
What started more than a decade ago as a series of talks with Black youth has grown into a national gathering focused on turning those conversations into action.
The Summit takes place in Winnipeg from Sept. 18 to 20, bringing together Black Canadians and allies from across the country to discuss the challenges facing Black communities and explore solutions for a more equitable future.
Organizers expect between 1,000 and 1,500 people to attend the three-day, in-person event, which is being held under the theme “Moving Forward Together.”
The Summit emerged from the Michaëlle Jean Foundation’s early arts-based mobilization work, including its 4th Wall program, Making the Invisible Visible.
Beginning in 2014 and 2015, Black youth were invited into cultural spaces including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Art Gallery of Ontario to share their experiences and discuss racism, invisibility and social exclusion. Those conversations highlighted a need for something bigger: a permanent national platform where Black communities could come together, speak openly, learn from one another and develop collective solutions.
And that idea eventually became the National Black Canadians Summit.
Guided by the calls to action in the Halifax Declaration, the Summit is more than just a conference. Organizers describe it as a national movement where lived experience, research, culture and policy come together — with community voices at the centre.
Youth are the cornerstone
A major focus of this year’s Summit is ensuring young people aren’t simply sitting in the audience.
Youth between the ages of 18 and 30 can attend the Summit for free, and organizers say young people will have opportunities to shape conversations, present projects and help drive community-based solutions.
The focus comes as younger Black Canadians continue to navigate questions around representation, opportunity, racism and belonging, while also playing an increasingly visible role in advocacy, culture and community organizing.
The Summit will feature keynote conversations, workshops, artistic performances and community gatherings, giving attendees opportunities to hear from leaders and advocates while connecting with others working on issues affecting Black communities.
General admission tickets for those 30 and above are $196.
Who is the Summit for?
The gathering comes at a time when conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion are changing across Canada and the rest of the world.
Organizers are also pointing to calls from Black Canadians for greater support for the Black Justice Strategy, as communities look to governments to address systemic barriers and invest in long-term solutions.
Under “Moving Forward Together,” a phrase intended as both the theme of the Summit and a call to action, Black, Indigenous and allied communities are encouraged to work together toward a more fair and inclusive Canada.
Summit highlights include:
- An Opening Ceremony Gala featuring performances by Jully Black, Ayosingz, Dr. Henry Band and poetry by Chimwemwe Undi
- Black and Indigenous Intergenerational Dialogue – A historic conversation detailing how relationship building and solidarity can be foundational to tangible change, featuring the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Lisa Meeches, Dr. Tasha Spillett, and Justin Holness.
- Black Mental Health: From Investment and Action to Systemic Change – This session explores the gaps in culturally responsive care, including access to Black practitioners, stigma, and systemic barriers.
- Power of Youth Day – A full day of youth-led programming showcasing 25 community projects from across Canada which serve communities in need.
- The Arts & Culture Scene in Canada: Shifting from Surviving to Thriving – A panel hosted by CBC, exploring how Black artists can move from survival to leadership, featuring Odario Williams, Alex Sannie, Joy Loewen, and more.
The Summit isn’t just about listening to speakers. It’s an opportunity to connect with people working on these issues across the country, share experiences and take part in conversations about what comes next.
For more information on tickets, visit the National Black Canadians Summit website.
