Black Spaces Symposium (Online)

Reimagining Black Spaces

“Black Spaces Symposium was an inspiring and deeply connective experience with fellow Black leaders and allies in the lower mainland” – Anonymous Participant

The Black Spaces Symposium unites artists, activists, professionals, and educators within the African Descent community to honour our heritage, inspire the future, and build strong community connections. The symposium invites all participants to explore new approaches and modalities that will inspire all of us to activate, mobilize, and create the change we want to see.

The Black Space symposium consists of a series of speakers, panels, interviews, live performances, workshops, exhibitions, and community honours. We established the symposium to create opportunities for youth of African Descent to access equipment, education, training, networks and opportunities. Empowering our community to creatively and economically flourish, building on our unique gifts and perspective from our heritage and cultural experiences.

What is a Black Space?

A Black Space is an intentionally curated and designed space for people of African Descent and their allies to collaborate, commune and create practical solutions to end racism and systemic inequalities.

Why are Black Spaces important?

Black Spaces give people of African Descent the space and agency to reimagine who they are, who they want to be and what impact they want to have within their local communities and the world.

Why the Black Spaces Symposium?

The Black Spaces Symposium is about being and belonging. Within British Columbia, there are no cultural hubs, community infrastructure or neighbourhoods that directly serve the specific needs of people of African descent. The intention of the Black Space Symposium is to create awareness around the necessity of Black Spaces and to highlight various resources currently available within our community in order to develop practical solutions to alleviate our inequities.

The Black Space Symposium will consist of various panel discussions, art exhibitions and music performances, all centered and designed to showcase the Black Experience.

Schedule:

Day 1 Thursday, July 22

9:00am – 9:30am | AVC Welcome

9:30am – 10:00am | Opening Ceremony

10:00am – 11:30am | Sarah Crowell – Decolonizing Dance Workshop

12:30pm – 2:45pm | Practicing Self-Compassion: Mental Health Awareness within the Black Community

2:45pm – 4:30pm | Creative Wealth 

7:00pm – 8:00pm | The Remix Cafe

Day 2: Friday, July 23

9:00am – 11:30am | Virtual Black Spaces – Online representation

12:30pm – 2:00pm | James Johnson-Piett – Urbane Development

2:00pm – 3:45pm | Leonie Smith – Unpacking Dominant Culture for Our Liberation through Nonviolent Communication

7:00pm – 8:30pm | Black Space Jam

Day 3: Saturday, July 24

9:00am – 11:30am | Honouring Your Roots: Reciprocal Land Practices – Afro-Indigenous Farming

12:30pm – 2:30pm | JEDI: The Journey to Allyship

2:30pm – 4:30pm | Workshop

4:30pm – 5:15pm | Closing Ceremony

Virtual Gathering

This event will take place on Zoom, a video conferencing tool. You may download the application for free. You will also need a device with speakers, microphone, video, and internet connection. You may test your Zoom connection in advance. A short tutorial for Zoom etiquette will be provided at the beginning of the event.