Signature Programs

We emphasize using evidence based policies, programs and strategies to advocate for Black women to engage in developing their holistic wellbeing.

Health Advocacy

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At Afya Collective, we are dedicated to services that will give black women opportunities to succeed in their communities.

Anti-Black Racism

“Anti-Black racism impacts the health and wellbeing of Torontonians of African descent. Toronto Public Health’s 2013 study examining racialization and health inequities found that experiencing racial discrimination contributes to poor health outcomes by “triggering harmful biological, psychological and behavioural responses.” Compared to nonracialized people, Toronto’s Black residents report higher rates of pain and discomfort, high blood pressure, and overweight and obesity.” 1 – The City Of Toronto

Accessibility

“Limited access to relevant, safe, affordable, and effective health and community services remain a challenge for Black residents and families living in Toronto. Black Torontonians often experience a ‘service desert’ in their neighbourhoods. And when services are available, many Black residents report that though these services are funded to support all Torontonians, they are often inadequate in meeting the needs of Black residents.” 1 – The City of Toronto

Discrimination

13% of Black Canadians reported experiencing discrimination at work or in the context of a hiring process in 2014, compared to 6% of the rest of the Canadian population.5 

  1. City of Toronto (2017). Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism. Retrieved from  https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-109126.pdf
  1. John Stapleton, et al. (2019) The Working Poor in the Toronto Region: A closer look at the increasing numbers. Metcalfe Foundation. The working poor are defined as those between the ages of 18 and 64, outside of school, living independently, with an after-tax income below the Low-Income Measure (LIM), earning at least $3,000 a year.
  1. Nnorom O, Findlay N, Lee-Foon NK, et al. Dying to learn: A scoping review of breast and cervical cancer studies focusing on Black Canadian women. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. Johns Hopkins University Press 2019;30:1331-1359.
  1. Statistics Canada, 2016 Census of Population, Catalogue No. 98-400-X2016210.
  1. Turcotte, Martin. Results from the 2016 Census: Education and labour market integration of Black youth in Canada. Insights on Canadian Society. February 25, 2020. Statistics Canada, Catalogue no. 75-006-X. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2020001/article/00002-eng.htm
  2. Unit, J. C. K. N. M. C. A. R. O. T. O. C. O. A. S. I. (2020a, February 20). Black Women in Canada. Behind the Numbers. https://behindthenumbers.ca/shorthand/black-women-in-canada/ 

We'd like to sincerely thank our partners for their support:

A Community of
Black Women
by Black Women

We emphasize using evidence based policies, programs and strategies to advocate for Black women to engage in developing their holistic wellbeing.

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