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About the
Black Council
The Black Council of Windsor-Essex is a provincially incorporated non-profit organization founded in 2021 with a focus on challenging systemic anti-Black racism within the Windsor-Essex region. This site serves as a resource hub for all-things Black in the region, with content centered around Black joy, empowerment, and initiatives that advance the interests of the Black community.
OUR MISSION.
The Black Council of Windsor-Essex is a collective of Black organizations and advocates united in working synergistically to dismantle systemic anti-Black racism through activism, advocacy, and education. We aim to create an equitable community as the local authority in historical and ongoing Black empowerment for generations to come.
Uniting local Black communities of African, Caribbean and UGRR (Underground Railroad) descent, through regular community meetings and town halls, we work to enrich the knowledge, culture and history of the African Diaspora and create equitable spaces within which our children, and all of our society's children in Windsor Essex, may thrive.
OUR HISTORY.
Founded in 2021, the organization has rapidly grown to a strong and cohesive advocacy network and influential voice in the media and government on issues affecting the Black community.
Our mandate emerged from the “Pandemic Summer” of 2020, where the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor were witnessed amid the resonant cries of “Black Lives Matter”. At a time of global racial reckoning, many institutions and people finally confronted a truth long known and experienced by the Black community. Racism was not a phenomenon; it was deeply entrenched into our social structures, institutions, and systems. Simply put, a fair and just society for all could not be achieved without protecting Black lives. The equitable world we wish for future generations to inherit required more than passivity or silence. It required that we act.
In August of 2020, over 60 advocates and Black organizations came together to discuss how the community could meet this moment. For decades, Black-led organizations in the region had worked adjacent to each other without often having a collective vision for safeguarding our communities. Hailing back to the historical efforts of the racial advocacy group, The Guardian Club, the delegates resolutely elected to form The Black Council of Windsor-Essex. The organization was formally incorporated on February 1st, 2021, to usher in Black History Month.
The Council's enduring advocacy is owed to countless current and past members and member organizations.
In 2021, our Black community elders nominated and members elected our founding board of directors: Joan Simpson, Leslie McCurdy (Chair), Colin Grimmond, Brian McCurdy, Peter Ogochukwu Ijeh, Jeremiah Bowers (Secretary), Mariam Tolson-Murtty, Kaitlyn Ellsworth (Vice-Chair), Princess Small, Maxine Ebegbuzie, and Lana Talbot (Treasurer).
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES.
Steered by our elders' wisdom and lessons in racial advocacy, we are guided by the following principles:
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To advocate for our community members in the fight against anti-Blackness in our daily lives. Pour défendre les membres de notre communauté dans la lutte contre le racisme anti-noir dans notre quotidien.
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To support our Black community organizations and consult one another to develop partnerships on community initiatives that are in the best interests of our Black community. Pour soutenir les organismes de notre communauté et se consulter afin de développer des partenariats sur des initiatives communautaires qui sont dans le meilleur intérêt de notre communauté.
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To encourage achievement in all fields of education and ensure that educational institutions are promoting growth of all Black students by removing systemic barriers. Pour encourager la réussite des étudiant.e.s noir.e.s dans tous les domaines éducatifs et s'assurer que les institutions académiques favorisent la croissance de tous les étudiant.e.s noir.e.s en supprimant les obstacles systémiques.
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To encourage Black entrepreneurship through the practice of group economics and support of Black owned businesses. Pour encourager l'entrepreneuriat des Noirs en pratiquant l'économie de groupe et en soutenant les entreprises appartenant à des Noirs.
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To encourage the creation and sustainability of generational wealth in our communities. Pour encourager la création et la pérennisation de la richesse transmissible d'une génération à l'autre dans nos communautés.
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To create a safe village for the rearing of our children grounded in wellness, education and empowerment through the creation of culturally relevant programming. Pour créer un village sûr pour élever nos enfants, fondé sur le bien-être, l'éducation et l'autonomisation par la création de programmes culturellement pertinents.
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To leverage the voting strength of our Black community and to encourage political involvement and activism. Pour mettre à profit la puissance électorale de notre communauté et encourager l'engagement politique et l'activisme.
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To safeguard, educate and advocate for fairness and equity for the Black community in the legal and/or justice system. Pour sauvegarder, éduquer et plaider pour la justice et l'équité pour la communauté noire dans le système juridique et/ou judiciaire.
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To recognize, celebrate and nurture Black excellence of all forms. Pour reconnaître, célébrer et encourager l'excellence noire sous toutes ses formes.
PARTNERS.
The Black Council of Windsor-Essex collaborates with various community organizations, businesses, and individuals dedicated to challenging systemic anti-Black racism. Together with our partners, we work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable Windsor-Essex region.
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