Community in Action: A Northern Caucus

Community in Action: A Northern Caucus was the fourth annual, educational, and visionary celebration of Blackness, held from February 27 to 29, 2024, in honour of Black History/Futures Month.

The 2024 theme, Community in Action, highlighted the power of collaborative and organized efforts to address systemic racism and dismantle oppressive structures through direct action and radical kinship.

Throughout the programming, Black, queer, and diverse perspectives were centered as participants explored the realities of mobilization and community-building in N’Swakamok (Sudbury) and Northern Ontario. The event featured a series of hybrid panel discussions, as well as an in-person keynote discussion with Dr. Tasha Beeds.

The Northern Caucus artist for 2024 was Kayode Jonathan Akande.

CAUCUS OVERVIEW

February 27, 2024

Activating Change: Black Activism in N’Swakamok (Sudbury)
7:00 - 8:30 PM EST, Virtual Panel
This panel highlighted the diverse ways N’Swakamok’s Black community actively shaped and enriched the social justice landscape. Panelists shared experiences and strategies from grassroots organizing to cultural advocacy, celebrating local changemakers and their contributions to fostering change in Northern Ontario and beyond.

Moderator: Isak Vaillancourt
anelists: Adebola Adefioye, Adonia Dunwell, Josephine (Josie) Suorineni

The session included moderated Q&A via Zoom Webinar and French subtitles.

February 28, 2024

Community Empowerment: Direct Action & Safety
Location: Virtual via Zoom (due to weather)

Participants explored direct action across so-called Canada, learning about protest planning, legal rights, security culture, and the role of marshals in ensuring safety. The workshop focused on supporting Black, Indigenous, and racialized participants and provided practical tools for fostering a stronger, safer, and more inclusive activist community. A toolkit summarizing key learnings was provided.

Instructors: Shala Gagnon & Ra’anaa Yaminah Ekundayo

The event was supported by BLM Nogojiwanong, BLM Vancouver, Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury, Future North, Policing Free Schools, Uplift Black, SWANS, SWEAC, and Pride Laurentian.Tuesday, February 28

February 29, 2024

We Keep Us Safe: Imagining Decolonial Futures
6:00 – 8:30 PM EST, In-Person
Location: Vale Cavern, Science North, 100 Ramsey Lake Rd, Greater Sudbury
Mix & Mingle: 6:00 – 7:00 PM

The keynote conversation with Afro-Indigenous scholar and Water Walker Dr. Tasha Beeds centered community care, accountability, and transformative approaches to public safety. Participants explored systemic racism, policing, inclusive community-building, and shared decolonial futures.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Tasha Beeds
Moderator: Ra’anaa Yaminah Ekundayo

The event featured free snacks from Boy Gorgeous Catering Co and a photobooth operated by Group Value Media.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Collaborator:

  • Reseau Access Network

Partner:

  • Centre de Sante pour Femmes

  • Health Sciences North

  • YWCA Sudbury

  • Public Health Sudbury & Districts

Supporter:

  • Black Bird Studio

  • Compass

  • Laurentian University McEwen School of Architecture