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.
Upcoming Workshops and Events
Accounting Services
The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) is inviting qualified accounting professionals or firms to submit proposals to provide comprehensive accounting, tax, payroll and consulting services. We are seeking candidates who share our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and who align with our mission to uplift the Black/African Canadian community in Newmarket.
Please email your quote/proposal to Donovan Watson by November 21, 2024. |
T.E.A.C.H Mental Health Workshop Series
Join us for a transformative opportunity aimed at supporting Black youth in York Region. This 8-week workshop series, T.E.A.C.H Mental Health, is designed to empower Black youth by providing essential mental health education and support. Running virtually from October 7, 2024, to June 17, 2025, the program offers four different cohorts to choose from, ensuring flexibility and accessibility.
This Youth School Success initiative (YSSI) is part of a broader collaboration of seven agencies committed to the educational and holistic success of Black youth in York and Toronto. By participating, youth will gain valuable skills, knowledge, and resources to navigate the challenges of mental health, all within a supportive community. Funded by United Way Greater Toronto, this workshop series is an excellent opportunity for personal growth and community connection. Workshop Dates: Cohort 1: Oct 7, 2024 – Nov 25, 2024 Cohort 2: Dec 2, 2024 – Feb 17, 2025 Cohort 3: Feb 25, 2025 – Apr 22, 2025 Cohort 4: Apr 29, 2025 – Jun 17, 2025 Registration is now open! For more information, contact Josie Rose at [email protected] or 289-763-3663 |
Fundraising Gala & Volunteer Appreciation Night!
NACCA exists because of our dedicated group of volunteers. Join us on November 27, 2024 for our Fundraising Gala and Volunteer Appreciation Night and celebrate our volunteers and their commitment to making our community a better place to live and do business.
This event is being held to support our social programs and services. Every dollar raised will go towards empowering individuals and families in need, creating a positive change that ripples throughout our community. You will Enjoy:
5:30 to 6:00 p.m. Reception 6:15 to 6:30 p.m. Welcome Remarks 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Dinner, Recognition Awards and Entertainment 9:00 p.m. Event Closes Event Sponsorship: There are limited sponsorship opportunities for this event. If you are interested in sponsoring, email Andra Thurton at [email protected] or call 289-926-6227 for details. Tickets are extremely limited so register today and join the celebration! |
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.
