February is Black History Month and we marked the occasion with an episode that focuses on Black Community in Hamilton. Building community takes deliberate focus of time, energy and resources, especially in communities that have been historically marginalized and underfunded. 

In this episode, Rudi Wallace hosts Ashleigh Montague (Executive Director, BLK OWNED) and Evelyn Myrie (Board President, Afro Canadian Caribbean Association Hamilton) to talk about building and strengthening black communities in Hamilton; the spaces, the voices, the struggles, the milestones, the knowledge and more. 

Key quotes 

“At the time, George Floyd had been murdered…it started a dialogue and we took to social media to find a tangible way to give supports who want to support he community to put their money where their mouth is. We generated a list of over 150 business at that time and that’s where the platform of BLK OWNED started.” Ashleigh Montague on the origins of BLK OWNED 

“ACCA is one the longest serving Black organizations in Hamilton, founded by Caribbean immigrants and supported by longstanding Canadians who had been here for a long time, such as Black Loyalists and through the Underground Railroad, with spaces like Stuart Memorial Church. The members wanted to create a space where they feel a sense of belonging and connectedness.” Evelyn Myrie on origins of ACCA 

“Relationships with banks have not necessarily been good [in Black communities] which has been a roadblock for Black entrepreneurs in Hamilton. Some of the organizations that support the Black business communities are underfunded. Access to knowledge and resources beyond monetary.” Ashleigh Montague on challenges faced by Black business communities 

“When you feel a sense of belonging and interconnectedness, your participation is greater and you feel more invested. We belong here, we have a rich and diverse history, we have contributed to this country.” Evelyn Myrie on belonging 

“Community building starts with community. How are we working together to solve problems. When I step back and look at what I’ve done in the past, we were creating knowledge about issues in community and how to solve those. Building on each other’s assets and strengths Its about creating those safe spaces for folks.” Ashleigh Montague on building Black community 

“We’re not separating [the issue of Black community]. We’re recognizing the inequities, and asking how we rectify that, and then move together forward to build a better Hamilton.” Evelyn Myrie on building community as a whole 

“It’s not that we are segregating an issue [Black community building], it’s about us building one segment of our community so that the community as a whole is stronger.” Ashleigh Montague on cross-community support