Invisible City...

The National Film Board of Canada is producing some serious material... check this out:

Invisible City is a feature-length documentary by Academy Award nominated Director, Hubert Davis, about transformation of community and identity. The film is set in the inner-city housing project of Toronto's Regent Park; Kendell and Mikey, like their surroundings are in the process of transformation; the environment and social pressures tempting them to make poor choices, their mothers and mentors rooting for them to succeed. Turning his camera on the often ignored inner city, Academy-award nominated director Hubert Davis sensitively depicts the disconnection of urban poverty and race from the mainstream.

http://films.nfb.ca/invisible-city/

WahGwan...

Here are a few events over the next little while that should definitely be of interest to the militia* (lol... that's your new nickname... see explanation below.)

First - kind of short notice but figured it should be mentioned nonetheless...

WORK FOR ALL: Mobile-izing Anti-Racism

A film on racial discrimination in the workplace being presented by the National Film Board of Canada - at the NFB Cinema 150 John St) - on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 7pm. Admission is FREE and the evening will also include a panel discussion on the use of mobile communication to address racism.

Space is limited so please RSVP to nfbmediathequeonf@nfb.ca

http://workforall.nfb.ca/

Next...

The Ultimate African Market

Sandra Young of the Ashanti Room is inviting you to a fundraising event for

the Africentric Alternative School and the Ontario Black History Society.

There will be African art, fabric, dolls, and other merchandise available for sale and 25% of the proceeds will go to the school to support their ongoing initiatives.

The event will take place at the Africentric Alternative School (1430 Sheppard Ave W) on Friday, March 26, 2010 at 5:30pm - 8:30pm.

http://www.blackhistorysociety.ca/events_view.php?id=10

Click on the link for complete details

and contact Tiki Mercury-Clarke (Program Coordinator for the OBHS)

for further information at 905-731-5957.

More to come...

Until then, enjoy!

... and PEACE

*Definition of "Militia" (courtesy of dictionary.reference.com): "A body of citizen soldiers as distinguished from professional soldiers."

Appropriate... Don't you think??

So Much Talent... So Much Drive...

RealTalks... Our city is FULL of so many intelligent, talented, and driven young people...

Thus, we must

Embrace and Showcase!

Over to your right ...

and towards the bottom....

... you'll notice a lil box plugging supporters of the movement. This is where we'll be posting any links to websites and blogs we feel will be of interest to our audience. Take a minute every now and again to check out the sites.

Always important to keep an ear to the streets and an eye to the interweb...

PEACE

Flashbacks...

On November 7, 2009, the TBYC (then known as YAC - the Youth Advisory Committee) held the very first "Real Talks, Real Movements" Forum which was an opportunity for youth focused organizations to come together, network, and discuss really significant issues like: Black youth identity today, and concerns around youth engagement throughout the GTA.

We prepared 4 major discussion questions, but due to time constraints and overwhelming enthusiasm from the participants we only got through one of them:

• What inspires African Canadian youth to become active? In what ways can African Canadian youth take more initiative in affecting positive change in their communities?

What became evident very quickly through discussion were the wide range in issues/activities/youth engagement strategies that inspire our youth to become active. We had young women expressing that it was their "girls group" that inspired them to become active. That bonding on the basis of their gender provided them with the platform they needed to to evolve. Alternatively, we also had young men and young women discussing the importance of mentorship in their upbringing. The idea that many of us felt validated and valued when those we looked up to took an interest in our lives.

Ultimately, the Forum highlighted the necessity for our elders, adults, and young adults to lead by example. If our community members continue to demonstrate the importance of listening to the needs of the upcoming generation, while respecting the knowledge of the those that have been here before us, we can't fail.

Lift as you climb.

"Real Talks" is returning for 2010 but just under a new guise. We're starting smaller but also getting more detailed. We'll be bouncing from youth group to youth group, from East to West, tackling issues from family life to education but focusing specifically on how those topics relate to our community.

If your youth group is interested in housing a workshop, you can contact the collective for more information at blackyouthcollective@gmail.com .

PEACE (and real talks... lol)

The Revolution will Not be Televised...

Young Brothers doing similar things in Montreal, Quebec.

Spot any familiar faces?? lol...

Peace.

PEACE TORONTO!!

If you haven't heard of us before we're hoping this blog will help you get familiar... If you don't already know, we are the Toronto Black Youth Collective, the youth "leg" of the African Canadian Legal Clinic. After the establishment of the African Canadian Youth Justice Program, the ACLC recognized the importance of having a youth voice and, thus, we were created.

Annually, we establish and action plan where we decide on key projects to work on throughout the following year. Last year we held the first "Real Talks, Real Movements" Forum on the Black youth identity and youth engagement within the City of Toronto. We definitely considered this forum a great success due to the important topics that were discussed and the passion that was evident amongst those who attended.

This year, we have so much more on the roster. Not only do we plan to bring back the "Real Talks" Forum but we plan to pack it up and bring it directly to you. Expect to see a range of workshop discussion topics as we travel across the city to various youth centres. If you would like us to come visit your youth group, you can contact us at blackyouthcollective@gmail.com .

This year we will also begin working on our first major youth justice initiative - more info to come - and a leadership project for high school students across the GTA who have already established, or wish to begin, a Black Students Association at their school.

So there you have it. Big tings a gwan.

We are ALWAYS seeking new membership and if your eager to be a part of the movement, get at us.

Stay tuned to the blog to learn more about the Collective and to keep in the know about what we're up to.

Until the next time, love one another.

PEACE