The Calgary African Community Collective and the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities are proud to announce their collaboration with the launch of the African Canadian Collaborative for Systems Transformation in #calgary . This transformative initiative has been introduced through a two-day summit that took place at the Courtyard by Marriott, on November 9 and 10, 2023. This partnership reflects a commitment to strengthening the adaptive capacity of Black-led, Black-serving, and Black- focused (B3) organizations to drive positive outcomes for African Canadian communities.

Earlier this year, the Calgary Foundation initiated a 3-year pilot program dedicated to supporting transformational and lasting change by empowering impacted communities to shape their own futures. As part of this initiative, the Calgary Foundation awarded CACC with $1,100,000 in funding over three years to implement the African Canadian Systems Transformation initiative.
“Calgary Foundation is proud to support this initiative. The collective has a deep understanding of the communities, their strengths, and what is needed to thrive. Our hope is this significant and flexible funding will provide critical time and space for relationship building, autonomy, shared solutions, and an opportunity for Calgary Foundation to learn as we walk alongside,” explained Jason Bates, VP Grants and Community Initiatives at Calgary Foundation.
Guided by the Nguzo Saba Principles, this initiative aspires to shift the dynamics of power and effect change by empowering African Canadian grassroots and associations through knowledge mobilization, research, adaptive capacity building and systems thinking.
CACC is a Black-led not-for-profit organization focused on advocating for the inclusion of Black and African Canadians in Calgary, with a strong emphasis on advocacy, collaboration, and empowerment.                            “We are excited about our collaboration with NABC, it will allow us to mobilize resources, interest and partnerships to create the conditions to tackle generational poverty and inequity that have marginalized our communities, “said Farah Ali, Executive Director of CACC.
NABC will play the role of strategic collaborative advisor to CACC, providing guidance in driving system-wide
transformation, knowledge mobilization, sustainability, and evaluation support. “We are embarking on a bold journey of transformation and what we learn in Calgary will help us strengthen the #black Ecosystem across Canada,” commented amanuel melles, Executive Director of Network for the Advancement of Black Communities.