A recent study measured its participants’ level of happiness. The study revealed that Black mothers and Black fathers report higher levels of happiness than other groups. Even considering the unique realities of our parenting experience, Black parents overall experience higher levels of happiness. Researchers delved deeper into the root sources of this happiness. When they did, it wasn’t surprising that they drew a link between our happiness and our ability to form community.

Black folks have always needed safe spaces and thrived in community. Often, we create them within our families when possible.  Otherwise, we embrace Aunties and Uncles through love if not by blood relation. Even in online Black spaces, I have genuinely found joy in moments of shared lived experience. That may be what community has always done for us, and it may be even truer in recent years’ wake.

I increasingly welcome the chance to connect and be in community with other Black parents. The chance to experience differences within our cultures, and simply relax. Without a doubt, I love those times in community for giving me moments when I have nothing to explain.

Community is at the heart of Black parents happiness

I remember my parent’s stories of how they created community when they arrived in Canada. My father-in-law tells us that when he arrived in Canada, it was common to invite any Black person you met to dinner. Often after these chance meetings  folks remain friends for decades.

In my parents’ case, they met folks at the immigration office, invited them home and became lifelong friends. I grew up calling these folks Auntie and Uncle. It wasn’t until I was almost an adult that I realized we had paperwork, not bloodlines in common.

I feel like remnants of this exist to this day. Black Community exists in the ‘head nod’, or exchange of glances when Black folks enter a room together. It’s the way we have forged friendships, that grew into family and supported each other for decades.

It’s no wonder that this study concluded that community lies at the heart of Black parents’ happiness. In the spirit of centering Black parent joy and the experiences of Black families, these organizations help us build community.

These spaces offer an open and welcoming safe space for Black parents and our children. They offer programs and opportunities to refine parenting skills, advocate for our child, or enhance overall physical health and well-being while fostering community connections.

23 Community Organizations Canadian Black Parents Should Know

Communities for Black Mothers

Black Moms Connection What started as a small Facebook group is now a global village of almost 30,000 Black mothers. The BMC community of Aunties is a safe space to connect and find posts, but now BMC’s work has evolved. The group develops programs and workshops that increase financial literacy and support the social and emotional well-being of Black mothers. Through BMC, Tanya Hayles created an online community as close to a support group as I would wish for.

Black Women in Motion – Black Women in Motion is a Toronto-based, survivor-led, grassroots organization. They work to support the advancement of Black women, girls, non-binary and gender-non-conforming survivors of gender-based violence.

Communities supporting Black fathers

The Black Daddies Club (BDC) has emerged as a powerful support system for Black men and fathers. Founded by Brandon Hay, the BDC offers access to community in the form of events, mentorship opportunities and education resources. Hay has built an ecosystem that supports Black men in having open discussions on parenting challenges. Though they focus on fatherhood, their events and posts also hold space for conversations on broader concerns affecting the Black community.

Ok, and a special mention to organizations that are not based here in Canada. That said, these folks  offer an online community for Black parents that crosses all borders:

Dope Black Dad started as a WhatsApp chat between friends and has evolved into a thriving platform. DBD connects, uplifts and centres Black fathers and parents far and wide. Its goal is to improve the outcomes of Black people globally through education and therapy – they also focus on positive examples of Black fatherhood.

The Black Man can. Admittedly this organization isn’t exactly for parents or fathers … however, if your timeline needs a cleanse, this is the group to follow! As a mom and Auntie to Black boys, I appreciate the heck out of a group that centres them and provides positive inspirations.

Communities supporting Black parents-to-be

The Black maternal health crisis has fueled our legitimate wariness of the traditional health care system. That said, we can still have faith in community. And the best time to build your parent community is as you’re about to become one! Thankfully, several organizations exist to help improve Black maternal health experiences and outcomes and build affirming spaces for Black parents-to-be.

Ancestral Hands Midwives is a Black midwife-led organization serving the Black community by informing and empowering clients. Through prenatal, birth, and postpartum periods, the organization helps clients find resources specifically for the Black community. They support clients to be empowered as the primary decision-makers of their healthcare.

Mino Care which was formerly known as Mommy Monitor offers access to a wide range of services for Black-identifying parents-to-be. Through their site, you can access Doula Support, lactation support, massage therapy and mental health and post-partum services. Mino also addresses health equity. Its founders dedicate themselves to serving as warriors, advocates, and support systems for expectant parents. Their site is home to a Black Perinatal Directory to make your search for Black practitioners easier.

Ontario Black Doula Society Getting appropriate birthing support can make a huge difference in the health and wellness of Black mothers-to-be. Having a Black caregiver can make a fundamental difference in the Black birthing experience and Black doulas, a trained support person who provides non-medical care, play an important role in that. If you are seeking out a Doula, the Ontario Black Doula Society offers a directory of Black doulas across Ontario.

Organizations that support  Black caregivers of children with special needs

Sawubona Africentric Circle of Support is a non-profit organization that supports Black caregivers of individuals with disabilities and their families. Sawubona understands that families caring for someone with special needs often face many challenges. These may include a lack of emotional support, isolation, funding, resources, making new friends and institutional racism. The organization works to provide a safe space for families of African descent to come together. Families share resources and expertise and support one another through the unique and often challenging journey of raising Black children or supporting a sibling of any age with a disability. You can also find them on Facebook.

 

Education and advocacy support for Black parents with school-aged children

Our children will spend at least 14 years in the public school system. Their time in it will impact not only their economic opportunities and future choices but possibly their well-being and self-worth. With so many Black children sharing similar experiences, structural racism experienced in school is increasingly being linked to mental health issues.

Black parents with children in elementary school through to high school and beyond need to understand the ins and outs of our public schools. From racial violence to the absence of Black educators, and equitable access to educational opportunities Black students face barriers to positive outcomes.  Unless you are one of the growing number of Black homeschoolers, it’s invaluable to have help advocating for Black students and navigating a school system that can feel overwhelming.

Parents of Black Children works to help parents understand the systemic racism that impacts our children and can thwart their academic achievement. POBC recognizes that Black students have different experiences. The group acknowledges that anti-black racism can manifest in subtle ways, such as a teacher consistently sending notes home about your child, or it can be direct like your child experiencing bullying or physical harm due to their race. But either way, Black parents’ concerns should not be dismissed. POBC advocates help parents navigate a complicated school system.  In addition to advocating for our children, POBC builds a community of like-minded parents by offering education programs for Black communities and access to Afro-centric education and tutoring support for Black students.

Help navigating a school system that can feel overwhelming is invaluable.

The African Canadian Heritage Association is asprogram featuring African history lessons, arts and crafts, and special events for students, who range in age from 5 to 16 years of age. The programming has run for decades. The group earns recognition for organizing communal lunches (prepared by parents and students) and conducting a parental program that incorporates a series of parent workshops. While based in Toronto, its online programs and website provide a wealth of information and ideas.  Many of its ‘graduates credit ACHA events and educational experience with giving them more information than all Black History Month school lessons in children’s schools combined.

Parents for Diversity advocates for equitable and inclusive learning environments that allow children to fulfill their full potential. The group supports and builds community by providing access to resources and events that equip parents and students to promote and implement equity and inclusive education. Plus their Periodic Table of Black Canadian history is fire.

Organizations that support Black parenting skills and well-being

The Kujenga Wellness Project is a community organization that supports Black community members, families, parents, and youth. Kujenga provides parents and caregivers with the information and resources they need to support their families. Kujenga has supported thousands of Black families, and hosted over 50 webinars and support groups.

Caribbean African Canadian Social Services is a charitable organization focused on building and strengthening the services for African Canadian children, youth and families. They provide culturally safe individual and group counselling, case management services, employment services, youth mentorship, and outreach programs. Families can access programs in parenting, relationships, mental health and Anger Management as well as individual and family Counselling.

Family Education Centre supports Black parents everywhere by providing access to exceptional resources that are delivered both in person and online by parents to parents. These programs aim to provide support and education that keep families healthy, happy and hopeful.

The Together We Are Durham Family and Cultural Centre program recognizes the diversity and strength that exists within Black families. The organization aims to support parents and caregivers of Black children by engaging parents and their children. Their programs explore a variety of parenting topics and share practical cultural strategies in a collaborative and supportive family environment.

Mental Health, medical and counselling services that support Black parents and their children

Much like the structural racism that can be experienced within the education system, research and our lived experiences show the same exists in the health care system. These organizations help Black parents access mental health resources and ensure that no parent struggles with their own mental health or to find support for a child with mental health or addiction concerns.

A Black healthcare provider can have a significantly positive impact on the health outcomes of Black families. TAIBU Community Health Centre provides Black-identifying clients with access to primary medical care, health promotion and disease prevention programs. TAIBU has a 15-year history and is known for its commitment to the Black community. They work to address the unique healthcare needs and challenges we face.

Across Boundaries provides equitable, inclusive and holistic mental health and addiction services for racialized people across the Greater Toronto Area. Across Boundaries acknowledges the impact of anti-Black racism on mental health. Folks can access programs and a range of mental health support and services, community kitchens, counselling, and community partnerships.

Specialty organizations supporting Black parents, caregivers and families

AFRO (afrofamily.ca) was first established in two friends (Fadhwa Yusuf and Mona Loffelmann) living room in January 2015 in Kitchener, Ontario. The group has grown to become a non-profit, grassroots, mutual aid organization supporting Black, African, and newly immigrated families within the Waterloo region. AFRO offers programs for youth, seniors, and families.  Their programs help African descent participate in social, cultural, and civic life while honouring their diverse heritages.

African Community Services of Peel ACS, a registered not-for-profit agency, offers settlement services to the Black/African community in Peel Region and surrounding areas. Their programs enhance family well-being and provide tailored services. ACS offers access to public education on healthy and active living, parenting, cultural sharing and self-empowerment, income security and conflict resolution.

Black Food Toronto In response to the impact COVID-19 had on members of our community, the Afri-Can FoodBasket launched the BlackFoodToronto program as a food sovereignty initiative that would address food insecurities faced by disadvantaged, low-income and undocumented members of Toronto’s ACB community. As a result of this initiative, our team has been coordinating weekly deliveries of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables at no cost to members of the ACB community who need support in accessing healthy culturally sensitive food. If you have suffered hardship due to the coronavirus or are food insecure, reach out to this organization.

Special mentions to some organizations providing access to more support for you or your extended family members

Black Creek CHC is a care team working to provide your family access to healthcare, social assistance, programs, and services. Black Creek Community Health Centre (Black Creek CHC) is a multi-service agency serving Toronto’s North York West and adjacent communities since 1989. BCCHC works with individuals, families and organizations to deliver comprehensive health services and programs so that they can receive the best care, where they live.

BHPN – Black Health Professionals Network The benefits of having a Black healthcare professional are significant unfortunately, so are the waitlists. If you are a parent seeking healthcare for you or your child keep this directory in mind, it lists practicing Black physicians, counsellors and other healthcare professionals.

Black Parents and families thrive in Community

These organizations not only provide essential support they also offer a chance for Black parents and our children to create the community that fuels our joy.

Parenting while Black has no affiliation to any of these programs and services for Black parents. This list was created the old-fashioned way by scouring the internet. With that in mind, I’m no super sleuth – I probably missed some programs. And yes, this list is kind of geographically centred in Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. But I didn’t intend this to be an exhaustive list. Knowing that organizations support Black parents, caregivers and families is a recognition that we need and deserve community. This list just hopes to shine a light on opportunities we have created to build community and centre Black joy.

If you are part of or know of an organization that supports Black parents but does not appear on this list, email me or comment below. I’d love to know more about spaces and organizations that exist to support Black parents.