We are proud to present Community in Action: A Northern Caucus, our fourth annual, educational and visionary celebration of Blackness taking place from February 27th to 29th, 2024 in honour of Black History/Futures Month!

This year’s theme, Community in Action, was selected to highlight the power of collaborative and organized efforts to address systemic racism and dismantle oppressive structures through direct action and radical kinship. 

Throughout this programming, and always, we will centre Black, queer, and diverse perspectives, as we explore the realities of mobilisation and community-building in N’Swakamok (Sudbury) and Northern Ontario. We will be hosting a series of insightful hybrid panel discussions, as well as an in-person keynote discussion featuring Dr. Tasha Beeds. 

This year, our Northern Caucus artist is Kayode Jonathan Akande.

Please see the full #CommunityInAction schedule and registration links below:

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  Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Activating Change: Black Activism in N’Swakamok (Sudbury)

7:00 – 8:30PM EST, Virtual Panel

From grassroots organizing to cultural advocacy, this panel explores the diverse ways in which N’Swakamok’s Black community is actively shaping and enriching the social justice landscape. Dive into an inspiring conversation that celebrates the contributions and experiences of local changemakers and uncover the multifaceted approaches to fostering change in Northern Ontario and beyond.

Panelists:  Adebola Adefioye, Adonia Dunwell, Josephine (Josie) Suorineni.

Moderator: Isak Vaillancourt 

Register (free)

Participants who register via Zoom Webinar will have the opportunity to use the moderated Q&A feature. There will be translated subtitles available in French.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Community Empowerment: Direct Action & Safety

7:00 – 8:30 PM EST, Hybrid Workshop (In-person and virtual)

Round Room, Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre,  Laurentian University,

935 Ramsey Lake Rd, Greater Sudbury

Embark on an empowering journey in engaging in direct action across so-called Canada. Facilitators will delve into the intricacies of protest planning, and provide essential insights into legal rights, security culture, and the pivotal role of marshals in upholding demonstration safety. With a dedicated section focusing on the safety of Black, Indigenous, and racialized individuals, this session will provide participants with the tools to foster a stronger, safer, and more inclusive community for activists. 

Instructors: Shala Gagnon & Ra’anaa Yaminah Ekundayo

Register (free)

This event is supported by the following community organizations: BLM Nogojiwanong. BLM Vancouver, Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury, Future North, Policing Free Schools, Uplift Black, SWANS, SWEAC, and Pride Laurentian.

If you plan on attending in person, please still register with the Zoom link above, as it will be used to track total event participation.

Participants will be provided with a toolkit summarizing key learnings for effective and safer direct action.

Thursday, February 29, 2024

We Keep Us Safe: Imagining Decolonial Futures

6:00 – 8:30 PM EST. Mix and Mingle from 6:00 – 7:00 PM (In-person)

Vale Cavern, Science North, 100 Ramsey Lake Rd, Greater Sudbury

“We Keep Us Safe” is a chant used by activists to centre the importance of community, care, accountability, and transformative change concerning public safety. In this keynote conversation, Afro-Indigenous scholar and community-engaged Water Walker, Dr. Tasha Beeds delves into the complexities of systemic racism and policing in what we now call Canada. This conversation will share insights into building inclusive communities, the power of resistance, and shared decolonial futures of liberation.

There will be free food/snacks from Boy Gorgeous Catering Co and a dynamic photobooth operated by the team at Group Value Media!

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Tasha Beeds

Moderator: Ra’anaa Yaminah Ekundayo

Register (free)

Thank you to our community sponsors

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