Sign In
Normal Size Large Size Largest Size Switch Contrast Accessibility
City of Vaughan
Welcome to the City of Vaughan
Official Website.

QUICKMENU

Use the drop down arrow below to navigate through our site

Search
Advanced Search
  • Print Friendly Icon

Home > City Hall > Departments > Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer > Diversity, Equity and Inclusion > Addressing Anti-Black Racism
Addressing Anti-Black Racism
Page Content

 
The City of Vaughan recognizes that anti-Black racism is perpetual, pervasive and systemic in Canada, and that an effective strategy is required to challenge anti-Black racism in all its forms. Addressing anti-Black racism is a key priority in the City’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy and multi-year action plan (PDF).

Addressing Anti-Black Racism Action Plan

Through the development of the Addressing Anti-Black Racism Action Plan, the City is committed to identifying and addressing barriers to the full and meaningful participation of the Black community in services, programs, events and general city life.

There is rich diversity within the Black community – with people from different backgrounds, identities and experiences. These different lived experiences and perspectives must drive the Addressing Anti-Black Racism Action Plan. The City will collaborate with Black individuals, organizations serving the diverse Black communities living in Vaughan and community leaders to develop strategies that address the ongoing challenges of anti-Black racism. The process will engage individuals from the Black community, hear their perspectives, and collaboratively develop recommendations for sustainable change. 

Project Scope

The Addressing Anti-Black Racism project, including community engagement, will be exclusively focused on services offered by the City and within its jurisdiction. Matters outside this scope, while welcome as part of any community discussions and recognized as deeply impactful to the diverse Black communities in Vaughan, will be recorded and, where possible, provided to the relevant organizations for any subsequent action. Learn more about the City of Vaughan’s government structure and services.

Project Updates

Since the project launched in September 2022, the City has:

  • Reviewed existing Anti-Black Racism Action Plans across cities in Canada to better understand existing efforts, plan components, structures and more.
  • Identified organizations led by and/or supporting the Black community in Vaughan and York Region.
  • Organized an Addressing Anti-Black Racism Special Advisory Committee comprised of Black citizens through a ​public recruitment. The mandate of the Special Advisory Committee is to:
    • provide advice on the project.
    • facilitate community connections.
    • advise on and guide the community engagement process.
    • provide feedback on the reports in each phase of the project.
    • provide feedback on the recommendations and action plan.
  • Organized focus group sessions with organizations supporting the Black community in the city.

Next steps

The City will seek community perspectives through a series of consultations and a city-wide survey to gather information on key issues, challenges and opportunities for change. Check back in mid-February for more information.

Project timeline

  • Strategy review and initial outreach – Q4 2022 | Complete
  • Community engagement: identifying key issues and recommended actions – Q1-Q2 2023 | Coming soon
  • Validation of the draft action plan – Q3-Q4 2023
  • Launch the final action plan city-wide – 2024 

 Subscribe

Subscribe to receive periodic email updates about this project.

Subscribe 
  

Understanding Anti-Black Racism

Anti-Black racism is historic, pervasive and systemic in Canada. It refers to attitudes, beliefs, prejudices and/or discriminatory practices that are directed at Black people. It is micro (as seen in day-to-day interactions) and structural (as seen in laws and policies). It is entrenched into societal practices that reflect and reinforce beliefs, attitudes, prejudice, stereotyping and/or discrimination directed at people of African descent and is rooted in their unique history and experience of enslavement and colonization here in Canada. Anti-Black racism can be reflected in many forms, including disparities in health, education, employment and others. These outcomes can vary greatly within the Black community, as Black individuals of different genders, religions, ages, sexual orientations and other identities experience overlapping barriers. This means to address anti-Black racism, the diverse identities and lived experiences within the Black community must be supported.

 

 Contact Information

 
​Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer –Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Tolulope Ojo

Anti-Racism Specialist

Phone:
 905-832-2281

Email: 
tolulope.ojo@vaughan.ca

Location:
Vaughan City Hall, Level 100
2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.
Vaughan, ON  L6A 1T1

 

 Related Links

 
  • Accessibility
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy
  • Diversity and Inclusion Task Force
  • Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
  • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
 

 Additional Resources

 
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy and multi-year action plan (PDF)
Page Content 2

City of Vaughan silhouette
© 2023 City of Vaughan. All Rights Reserved.​​
  • NEWSROOM
  • CONTACT US
  • SITE MAP
  • PRIVACY STATEMENT AND TERMS OF USE
  • SUPPORT
  • ACCESSIBILITY
Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request.