Calgary Foundation
1180 - 105 12 Avenue SE T2G 1A1 Calgary, AB, Canada

Local Black leader feature: Diyana Woldegebrael, Senior Facilitator at Calgary Bridge Foundation For Youth; The Mentorship Program. Where are you from? My ethnic background is Eritrean and I was born and raised in Sudan. I live in Calgary, Alberta in Treaty 7 territory; the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Nations, including Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai, the Tsuut’ina Nation, and Stoney Nakoda First Nations.... What is your hope for Black communities in 2021? My hope for black communities in 2021, is the understanding that revolutionary change is not only done on the front lines, but begins in our own mind, how we talk about our sun coated skin or those who look like our kin. My hope for Black communities in 2021 is the realization that we do not have to do it all, that sometimes changing the world might be overwhelming and that is okay; the world is big. I hope black individuals realize that sometimes working on oneself can create a sustainable and irreversible change, the commitment to one's own improvement allows for generational success. This is not a message meant to dissuade the work that is being done but to encourage black people to not lose their individuality.

Mapping Calgary Stampede history through a First Nations lens. Join artist Adrian Stimson on March 26th @ 7pm as he presents his map, which highlights stories from the Calgary Stampede that are not often heard. Stimson de-colonizes the map by using Blackfoot ways of knowing, specifically the Bison robe winter count and pictographic style.

Local Black leader feature: Yinka Oladele Vice President/Co-founder - African Cancer Support Group & Vice President/Founder Women of Vision Society of Alberta Where are you from? Nigeria.... What is your hope for Black communities in 2021? An anti-racism committee or group consisting of African and black community members should be set up to coordinate anti-racism activities within the city of Calgary. This group/committee should be chaired and facilitated by the City of Calgary. The group must be transparent in all its activities, dialogues and discussions. The impact of racism in the workplace and the city's social life, including in the communities and sporting activities, should be investigated to proffer a way to overcome the problem. We need to create a school curriculum geared towards black history in Canada. Cooperation and openness within the black community is vital. We should share our pains, especially our health challenges and those of struggling single parents. We need to create awareness of the systemic racism and reflect on how we can continue to contribute our quota to the development of the city, province and country. We need to have a diversity and inclusion committee and have black representation on the table where governance and decision-making is being done on matters that affect us. I would like to see more black people participate in politics and be part of the government. As some of us are small business owners, I would like to see more black people start their own businesses, buy a franchise, network and collaborate.

Recognizing the power of education to change lives, Calgary Foundation provides financial support to help students achieve their goals through numerous scholarships, awards and bursaries established by generous donors. Support is provided through over 200 Student Award Funds that provide over 500 awards annually at post-secondaries locally, provincially and across the country. Visit https://bit.ly/3ry67xa to see all of the awards that Calgary Foundation offers. Many of the deadlines are approaching at the end of May.

Local Black leader feature: Esdras Ngenzi, Centre d'accueil pour nouveaux arrivants francophones (CANAF). Where are you from? I’m originally from Rwanda and now call Calgary home.... What is your hope for Black communities in 2021? Speaking of black communities, my hope for 2021 is the same as for any other year. It is to see Canadian society that has a long lead over others in promoting multiculturalism and combating discrimination, taking it one step further and addressing the root causes of systemic racism, one that no one wants to talk about but which destroys individuals, families and communities in silence. For example, across the country, in major cities, Statistics show Black students have historically performed below average. They're more likely to be labelled with special education needs, suspended and expelled, and streamed into programs that don't lead to university or college. This has a huge impact on the future of the entire community. If our three levels of government could make 2021 a benchmark year by taking seriously and supporting the programs they themselves have put in place, it would be a better way to create a win-win situation for all Canadians. I would also like to see community initiatives, grass root, address this problem. This would have a good impact on the education of black children and young people, promote the equitable integration of blacks into the labour market, their access to the management of public affairs, and integration into decision-making environments. We should understand that when a part of our society is excluded, we all lose; we lose talent, innovation, wasted lives, we slow down social and economic development at all levels.

Applications are now open for the THRIVE cohort program. The program is presented by non-profit leaders for non-profit leaders to help organizations build a diversified financial model and revenue streams. Join 50+ previous participating organizations in the movement to shift the community sector culture from scarcity to abundance, and from short-term projects to long-term outcomes. https://bit.ly/2SCIxPW

Movember is excited to host a panel discussion on November 25th with mental health advocates, experts and leaders in the space. This online event will unpack ways to stay mentally well and resilient within our communities and workplaces: https://bit.ly/2IZQFZ2

Let's increase equal access and promote participation in community based amateur sport across Canada. How? If you are you a registered Canadian amateur athletic associations and you like to help young people learn about, enjoy and play amateur sport, then apply for a Doc Amateur Sport Grant by November 12. https://bit.ly/2EgHhhf

Métis Week celebrates the culture, history and contributions of Métis people to Alberta and Canada with events held across the province. This annual celebration takes place from November 15 to the 21.

The Ally Toolkit Conference seeks to empower businesses and communities with information and knowledge that will help them to build better and more inclusive workplaces. Sessions focus on providing tools and language that can empower participants to act as allies and identify ways they can reduce barriers, assumptions and stereotypes in their own workplaces and communities.

Not even a pandemic could stop the Calgary Foundation Halloween costume competition tradition. #ThrowbackThursday to last week's virtual Halloween costume competition! We had a fun variety of costumes including (in order)..... Roaring 2020's Flapper Girl, the infamous fly and Mike Pence, Queen Bee-a-trice, a Bento Box, a Viking, TWO cactuses, and a beach babe!

Blue Jeans Theatre is incredibly excited to bring their inaugural production of Christmas Carol: A Drag Story to the world this holiday season. This fun and snappy 45-minute virtual re-telling of Dickens' tale features 8 talented performers and multiple drag numbers. Witness a whole new interpretation of Scrooge's transformation while reveling in the time-honoured elements of magic and joy.

Congratulations to our President and CEO, Eva Friesen on her honourary doctor of law degree from Mount Royal University! Full live stream from today's ceremony here: https://www.mtroyal.ca//Convoc/convocation-live-stream.htm