Karibu Nyumbani
(Welcome home)
Our programs and initiatives are designed to instill a strong sense of African identity, community, cultural pride, resilience and social responsibility, empowering children, youth and families to lead socially conscious and fulfilling lives.
(Welcome home)
Our programs and initiatives are designed to instill a strong sense of African identity, community, cultural pride, resilience and social responsibility, empowering children, youth and families to lead socially conscious and fulfilling lives.
How We Started
The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) first began as an idea that Black and oppressed communities must have access to resources and opportunities for advancement.
On May 5, 2018, a group of community members came together to discuss how we could build a more inclusive and connected Newmarket community. One pivotal point in the discussion was around a concern for youth, and how the organization can support a generational legacy of education, empowerment and unity that will foster pride in identity, culture and history for the people of African descent.
We understood that there was also a need for rootedness and belonging, and a firm understanding of the past so that we can step boldly into the future. We concluded that growth and sustainability meant building strength, partnerships and intercultural understanding.
On May 5, 2018, a group of community members came together to discuss how we could build a more inclusive and connected Newmarket community. One pivotal point in the discussion was around a concern for youth, and how the organization can support a generational legacy of education, empowerment and unity that will foster pride in identity, culture and history for the people of African descent.
We understood that there was also a need for rootedness and belonging, and a firm understanding of the past so that we can step boldly into the future. We concluded that growth and sustainability meant building strength, partnerships and intercultural understanding.
Current Events and Opportunities
Seniors Club!
Join Our Weekly Seniors Club!
When: Every Friday, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Where: 449 Eagle Street (virtual or in-person) Contact: (905) 781-6222 Come enjoy an afternoon of fun activities, meaningful conversations and the opportunity to make new friends. Let’s make every Friday a time to connect and create lasting memories! |
Scholarship Program 2025
NACCA is proud to support the next generation of Black leaders through our 2025 Scholarship Program! This year, we will award scholarships to up to 11 students entering their first year of full-time post-secondary studies, including university, college, apprenticeship and trade programs.
To qualify, applicants must self-identify as Black, be York Region residents, demonstrate academic excellence and show a strong commitment to community service. Application Deadline: March 31, 2025 Recipients Announced: early June 2025 For full eligibility details and to apply, visit our program page or email [email protected]. |
Career Opportunities!
NACCA is excited to announce part-time career opportunities designed to support the mental health and wellness of Black communities in York Region.
Application Deadline: April 4, 2025 Learn More and Apply HERE |
What Does NACCA mean to you? Volunteer videographer, Kristal Pagaun, captured key messages from youth during our summer 2019 activities.
Our Guiding Principles
Umoja (oo-MOH-jah)
unity – to understand that success starts with unity of family, community, nation and race.
Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah)
self-determination - to define, name, create and speak for oneself and create one’s own destiny.
Ujima (oo-JEE-mah)
collective work and responsibility – to uplift our community, “build and maintain [it] together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together” - Karenga.
Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH)
cooperative economics– to uplift our community economically which means “to build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together” - Karenga
Nia (NEE-ah)
purpose – to restore Black people to their traditional capacity; to be responsible to Those Who Came Before (our ancestors) and to Those Who Will Follow (our descendants) and "to make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness." – Karenga
Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah)
creativity – using creativity and imagination to make our community better than what we inherited, "to always do as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it." – Karenga
Imani (ee-MAH-nee)
faith – to believe with all our heart in ourselves, our community, our people, our families, our educators, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
unity – to understand that success starts with unity of family, community, nation and race.
Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah)
self-determination - to define, name, create and speak for oneself and create one’s own destiny.
Ujima (oo-JEE-mah)
collective work and responsibility – to uplift our community, “build and maintain [it] together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together” - Karenga.
Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH)
cooperative economics– to uplift our community economically which means “to build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together” - Karenga
Nia (NEE-ah)
purpose – to restore Black people to their traditional capacity; to be responsible to Those Who Came Before (our ancestors) and to Those Who Will Follow (our descendants) and "to make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness." – Karenga
Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah)
creativity – using creativity and imagination to make our community better than what we inherited, "to always do as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it." – Karenga
Imani (ee-MAH-nee)
faith – to believe with all our heart in ourselves, our community, our people, our families, our educators, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Land & Ancestral Acknowledgement
We want to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples. We acknowledge that the NACCA headquarters is situated upon the treaty lands of the First Nations of the Williams Treaty and the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as our closest community.
We also acknowledge that we are all Treaty peoples – including those who came here as settlers – as immigrants either in this generation or in generations past and those who came here involuntarily, particularly as a result of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. We must also recognize the fact that this colonial nation is founded in historic and ongoing dispossession of this land’s Indigenous peoples, and African descendant peoples. We especially pay tribute to the ancestors of those of African and Indigenous origin and descent.
As an organization that centres on social justice, we feel it is critical to be informed on the past and the ongoing consequences of colonialism. We encourage everyone to learn about the history of these lands, and to support resistance here and across Turtle Island.
NACCA gives thanks for the land that nourishes us and enables us to live in communities. May we continue to aspire to nurture and care for this land and for each other.
We also acknowledge that we are all Treaty peoples – including those who came here as settlers – as immigrants either in this generation or in generations past and those who came here involuntarily, particularly as a result of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. We must also recognize the fact that this colonial nation is founded in historic and ongoing dispossession of this land’s Indigenous peoples, and African descendant peoples. We especially pay tribute to the ancestors of those of African and Indigenous origin and descent.
As an organization that centres on social justice, we feel it is critical to be informed on the past and the ongoing consequences of colonialism. We encourage everyone to learn about the history of these lands, and to support resistance here and across Turtle Island.
NACCA gives thanks for the land that nourishes us and enables us to live in communities. May we continue to aspire to nurture and care for this land and for each other.
