 The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association recognizes that 2020-21 has been a year like no other. George Floyd's tragic murder at the hands of a former Minneapolis police officer woke the world to the brutal injustices that Black communities have always known. The ever-present racial trauma has been challenging, especially for Black families, Black men and women, children and teens.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a very real and present rupture in society, amplifying and magnifying inequities and redefining what it means to be vulnerable. The violent and insidious legacies of colonialism, racism and anti-Black racism have been on full display on mainstream television and social media. On June 6, 2021, a man struck five members of the Afzaal family with his car in London, Ontario. Four members of the family were killed while the youngest was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The attacker has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder and terrorism – a first of its kind charge in Canada. Anti-Muslim hate, anti-Asian racism, anti-Semitism, and other forms of prejudice and hate are here in our society. Indigenous children have been stolen and murdered here. We mourn the 215 children found and the countless other Indigenous children buried. The uncovering is a reminder of the murder and genocide of indigenous lives and to never forget the legacies of settler-colonial violence, anti-Indigenous racism, legislated assimilation and the ongoing impact of historical and intergeneration trauma on the lives of this land's aboriginal people. Although many parents are worried about what their kids can handle, we cannot shelter them entirely from what is happening around us. We encourage you to have ongoing dialogue within your families. NACCA believes that the human rights and dignity of every person is valid. Communities that have had their humanity and dignity legislatively denied are at the forefront of consistent and longstanding battles for freedom and justice. We must move individually, and collectively, to disrupt and dismantle the systems that perpetuate racism and oppression. NACCA is committed to this work and continues to actively engage in the listening, learning and collaboration necessary to build a better way forward. The violence and attacks we are seeing may emit strong emotions. For families, and community members with lived experience of anti-Black racism, these events, along with the long history before, and day to day ongoing experiences are creating an increased sense of vulnerability, anger, pain, and sadness. Trauma is always at the door. The NACCA community reflects a caring family and we must remember to reach out and support each other; we must acknowledge that what is happening is not okay; and we must remain committed to speaking out against racism and anti-Black racism in all its forms. For those in the community experiencing ongoing trauma as a result of anti-Black racism we encourage you to reach out to us and let us know how we can best support you. You can contact us here. You can volunteer with NACCA and become active in supporting our community here. Here are some easily accessed support resources for your families to explore:
Many more resources for your own awareness, education and support for well-being are located on our website here. To continue to disrupt anti-Black racism and reflect on your knowledge and understanding of issues related to oppression and anti-Black racism, read books and/or research a particular topic to learn more. Reflect on your personal behaviour and practice and identify opportunities for learning and change - don’t forgot to think about your social media behaviour. Reach out to friends who might be impacted and let them know you care. Contact your trustee, Town Councillor, Member of Provincial Parliament or Member of Parliament to let them know about your concerns. Talk about race, disrupt racism and actively work to dismantle anti-Black racism.  ALL WELCOME
Nominations for positions on the NACCA Board of Directors must be received a minimum of 7 days prior to the AGM. If you have any questions or need more information please contact (905) 781-6222 or email [email protected].  The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) would like to express deep gratitude to our biggest donors – the board of directors.
Today we pause to recognize the team players who power our organization. NACCA’s board of directors are asked to give tirelessly of their time, attention, expertise, and resources and they take their roles seriously. They represent, champion, and serve our organization and community well and today we celebrate them for their dedication and hard work. NACCA continues to work in collaboration with school boards, communities, businesses and both local and provincial governments to create limitless pathways for youth leadership, empowerment and advancement. We thank our executive team for making more possible for Black youth and families in Ontario.  Iris Malcolm Memorial AwardThe Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association is pleased to announce that Natacia Gifford is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Iris Malcolm Memorial Award.
Natacia is an outstanding student who, despite challenging circumstances, inspires us all with her passion for empowering youth and serving her community with incredible devotion. We are excited to support Natacia in achieving her academic and professional goals. Renowned American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou tells us “if you're going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can't be erased.” Iris Malcolm was a woman of Jamaican-Canadian descent who exemplified the quiet resistance and forward thinking of Black women in Canada who took on the challenge of raising a family in an environment where discriminatory mechanisms compounded by social and economic stratification placed limits on their aspirations. Undeterred, she persevered, creating her own blue print, putting her stamp on the future by leaving a legacy where the pursuit of academic excellence and the advancement of her community was instilled in her children and grandchildren through the unwavering strength of her character. She made her mark by not only providing the next generation with roots, she also gave them wings. SUPERIOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, LEADERSHIP AND MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS RECOGNIZED WITH NACCA SCHOLARSHIPThe Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association is honoured to announce the recipients of the 2020 NACCA Scholarships. This scholarship supports outstanding students who are entering their first year of post-secondary studies, with NACCA providing up to $1,500 for tuition costs. The seven outstanding scholars will undertake post-secondary education in fields such as Science, Child and Youth Care, Commerce, Human Rights and Diversity and Engineering.
“When community members came together in 2018 to discuss how we could build a firm foundation for the next generation” recalls NACCA’s Chairperson Jerisha Grant-Hall, “it was abundantly clear that we wanted to build a legacy of high academic achievement and empowerment for Black youth. Our desire was to foster a profound sense of pride in claiming their Black identity. We wanted our young people to be deeply rooted in their birthright which is full knowledge of African industry, art, sciences, math, literature, culture and its profound influence on the world we have come to know.” These scholars are exceptional students and leaders who not only support and inspire their peers but also exemplify academic excellence and service in the broader community. They also demonstrate a strong capacity for leadership into the future. This award not only recognizes what they have already achieved, but opens the door for them to build on, and share more widely, their leadership and pursuit of excellence. “We could not be more proud of these incredible young people who through hard work, perseverance, determination and grit navigated the spaces and places they occupied, becoming leaders, scholars and change makers who created positive outcomes for themselves and others,” says Grant-Hall The scholarship awards demonstrates NACCA’s commitment to supporting young people and creating opportunities for the community to flourish. Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the NACCA Scholarship: · Julius Adu · Tristan Bethune · Natacia Gifford · Ziphion Grant-Bobb · Elijah Gyansa · Adelaide Swanston · Monique Thompson  Dear Anonymous Donor:
The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) would like to thank you for your very generous donation of $10,000. These are extraordinary times and your willingness to support our efforts is appreciated. We are an organization powered by volunteers, and we seek to uplift our Black youth while also providing stakeholder engagement and advocacy to the Black community in Newmarket and surrounding areas, developing meaningful engagement and action on anti-Black racism. Ultimately we want to engage all our communities towards increased inclusion and belonging for all – through an anti-Black racism and equity lens. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and generous gift.  NACCA is teaming up with the Newmarket Food Pantry to help our community during these challenging times. This is an opportunity for you to make a difference while you #stayhome to interrupt the spread of the corona virus. if you would love to support, we will gladly pick up the much needed items for the food pantry from you while practicing social distance. If you prefer, we also have a drop off location for your donations. Here is a list of items the pantry needs ASAP:
The Building Beyond Sculptural Workshop was a giant success as children engaged with Ekow Nimako to build build their legacy by using their creativity to tell their own stories. Check out the stories below!  Ekow Nimako - Building Beyond - A Sculptural Workshop: A Black History Month 2020 Event
The sculptural workshop is featured as one of Newmarket’s Black History Month activities. Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) in partnership with the Town of Newmarket, and sponsored by Wasim Jarrah Real Estate, is pleased to present two workshops by Ekow Nimako, a well known artist and sculptor, on January 11, 2020 at Old Town Hall. This Toronto based artist has successfully carved out a niche for himself building sculptures out of black LEGO®. It began when he was four and later took root in the sculpture studios of York University, evolving over the years into a fascinating contemporary art practice unlike any other. Along with his uniquely fluid building style, keen attention to form, and content deeply rooted in other-worldly Black narratives, Nimako’s artwork beautifully transcends the iconic LEGO® bricks to reach new heights of materiality and substance. Young people will explore the unique and exciting world of Afro-Futurism – a fantastical sci-fi cultural genre that features African and Afrodiasporic peoples at the centre of their own epic stories using an array of Lego® elements. Participants are also encouraged to illustrate the names of their “Legacies” or write their origin stories to accompany their artwork. A bonus for the participants is that whatever they build, they keep. Suitable for ages 7 to 14 years. Visit naccacommunity.ca | newmarket.ca/blackhistory for more info on all activities for Black History Month. |
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