Information and Resources to Combat Anti-Black Racism in Nova Scotia
As an organization whose mission is to bring together nonprofit and voluntary organizations to ensure they can effectively meet the needs of all of Nova Scotia’s communities and citizens and whose core values include "inclusion, equity, & diversity", we cannot ignore the impact that Anti-Black Racism has had - and still has to this day - on communities and individuals in our province. On June 1st we shared a statement in solidarity of our Black colleagues, partners, and collaborators and announcing our commitment to speaking out against racism.
Now what?
As allies, we are striving to educate ourselves as individuals and as an organization on the history of Anti-Black Racism in Nova Scotia and how we can help combat that racism here at home. Below, we have provided a list of resources and information which we are consulting to help us do this work. These resources include:
- Information on Anti-Black Racism in Nova Scotia - both historical and present-day;
- Organizations and Programs that are doing anti-racist work in our Province which you can support today; and
- Training, Education, and Recommended actions for Organizations to take to make their workplaces anti-racist.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, if you are aware of additional information that should be on this list please let us know by emailing us at info@csc-ns.ca.

History
- The Story of Africville - Canadian Museum for Human Rights
- Policing Black Lives by Robyn Maynard - Delving behind Canada’s veneer of multiculturalism and tolerance, Policing Black Lives traces the violent realities of anti-blackness from the slave ships to prisons, classrooms and beyond.
- There's Something in the Water by Ingrid R. G. Waldron - This book examines the legacy of environmental racism and its health impacts in Indigenous and Black communities in Canada, using Nova Scotia as a case study, and the grassroots resistance activities by Indigenous and Black communities against the pollution and poisoning of their communities.
- Bronwen & Yaffa (Moving Towards Tolerance) - This documentary from 1996 presents two young women from Halifax who are organizing rock concerts to raise money for the group Eastcoast Against Racism.
- Black Loyalist Heritage Society: Digital Collections - This site explores an untold story of our nation's history: how Canada became the home of the first settlements of free blacks outside Africa.
Present Day
- Nova Scotia still faces a disturbing problem with racism, a problem that can be traced back centuries in the province - Greg Mercer/The Globe & Mail (January 24, 2020)
- How anti-black racism affects the health of Nova Scotians of African descent - Nebal Snan/Saltwire (June 6, 2020)
- Watch CBC's Public Forum on Policing in Nova Scotia - CBC News (May 2, 2019)

Organizations to support
The African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent Coalition exists to support people of African ancestry to navigate many issues facing them. Please check out this website www.ansdpad.ca and reach out to find out how we can collectively stop anti-Black racism. Every nonprofit in Nova Scotia can reach out and change the culture of our workspaces so we can have a better understanding and education about the struggles that people of African ancestry go through and have gone through for over 400 years. We can also as individuals look deep inside ourselves and think about how we can become an ally and feel a little uncomfortable in supporting great causes to assert the rights of people of African ancestry.
Delmore "Buddy" Daye Learning Institute - As an Africentric Institute, the DBDLI creates educational change and genuine opportunities for learners and communities of African ancestry to reach their full potential.
Black Business Initiative - The BBI is committed to growing a stronger Black presence in Nova Scotia’s business community; acting as a catalyst for job creation, equitable participation and advancing the economic prosperity of Nova Scotia.
Solidarity Halifax - Their Anti-Racism Committee works in solidarity with people in Halifax communities who experience racism and colonialism, in particular, African Nova Scotian and Indigenous peoples. Some examples include Working While Black, a collaborative project on anti-Black racism in the workplace, and their campaign against police street checks.
The Nova Scotia Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW) - ABSW offers educational and community based programs ranging from clinical counselling to professional development. ABSW conducts awareness sessions on social issues such as: Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Gambling, Parenting Bi-racial/Black Children, Palliative Care etc
The Africville Heritage Trust - The Africville Heritage Trust was established specifically to manage the Africville Memorial Project, including the Museum and the Africville Interpretive Centre.
Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia - Established in 1983, to Protect, Preserve and Promote the history and culture of African Nova Scotians. The Centre is a museum and cultural gathering place, where the rich history of Nova Scotians of African Descent can be discovered and explored.
Black Loyalist Heritage Society - One of Canada’s best kept secrets, the largest free Black settlement in the 1780’s where people voted with their feet for freedom. This unique historical site is nestled in beautiful Birchtown Bay on the western shores of Shelburne Harbour, the third largest natural harbour in the world.
VANSDA - Their mission is to improve the quality of life for African Nova Scotians and other citizens in the Annapolis Valley by creating Partnerships in Employment, Training and Economic Development. VANSDA's focus is on increasing employment opportunities for marginalized and other community members.
Black Educators Association - The Black Educators Association (BEA) was founded in 1969 to assist African Nova Scotian communities develop strategies toward an equitable education system.
African Nova Scotian Affairs - African Nova Scotian Affairs (ANSA) works with government and the African Nova Scotian community to enhance cultural understanding and assist in the delivery of services that meet the unique needs of African Nova Scotians. It is the connecting point to the community, promoting African Nova Scotian priorities and bringing people together to share in cultural experiences.
Actions you can take & where you can donate
- Support Local Nova Scotian Black-Owned Businesses - See the 2020-21 Business Directory from BBI here
- CANADIAN anti-racist work and Black-led community initiatives - Google doc compilation of funds to donate to and actions to take
- What Nova Scotians can do to stand up to racism, injustice - Q&A with Finley Tolliver/CBC News (June 1, 2020)
- Take Action - Soul Fire Farm
- ‘Discomfort is part of change’: How to be an ally in fighting anti-black racism - Adina Bresge/Canadian Press (June 3, 2020)
- How To Be An Anti-Racist - Book by Ibram X. Kendi
- What Can White People Do? - June Holley/Networkweaver (June 10, 2020)
- A Review of Recommendations Addressing Systemic Discrimination in Nova Scotia and Canada - Human Rights Commission (May 2015)
- Donations 'may allow for real systemic change,' says organizer of Black Lives Matter Solidarity Fund N.S. - Nicole Munro/Chronicle Herald (June 4, 2020)
- Funds noted within this article:
- Black Lives Matter Solidarity Fund N.S.
- The Nova Scotia Association of Black Social Workers
- The Africville Heritage Trust
- Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia
- Delmore (Buddy) Daye Learning Institute
- African Nova Scotians and COVID-19 research
- The Black Loyalist Heritage Society
- O.N.E. North End
- Hope Blooms
- Funds noted within this article:

Recommended actions for your organization
- Black Life Matters: Anti-Racist Resources for Social Workers & Therapists - Social Work Career
- Anti-Racism Resources - Brené Brown
- How to build an actively anti-racist workplace - Jenni Avins/Quartz at work (June 4, 2020)
- Assessing Organizational Racism (PDF) - Western States Center Views (Winter 2001)
- Racial Equity Tools: Resource Library - Racial Equity Tools is designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity. This site offers tools, research, tips, curricula and ideas for people who want to increase their own understanding and to help those working toward justice at every level – in systems, organizations, communities and the culture at large.
- Is your company actually fighting racism, or just talking about it? - Kira Hudson Banks & Richard Harvey/Harvard Business Review (June 11, 2020)
- Resources on Whiteness & Anti-Racist Practice in Progress - Bravespace
Anti-Racist Organizational Training
- Education & Training - Canadian Race Relations Foundation
- Training & Resources: Anti-Racist Organizational Development - National Juvenile Justice Network
- Anti-Racist Organizational Change: Resources & Tools for Nonprofits (PDF) - Community Wise Resource Centre/Calgary, Alberta (2017)
- White Ally Toolkit - Resources, Training & Information to Support Conversations and Allyship