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We’re so pumped for this! On March 29, 2023, U

We’re so pumped for this!

On March 29, 2023, UPlift Black and Future Black Female presents…

“Black Futures - Creating Career Pathways for the Black GEN Z Workforce”

With Keynote Speaker, Keziah Osei (Keyz to your Home Renovations) who will speak on her own pathway to success to become the first Black woman contractor to be hired for HGTV Network.

Debora Opoku-Mulder from Georgian College Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging department at Georgian College will introduce and moderate the panel of student speakers for a panel discussion on
“What is the Vision for OUR Black Futures?”

A call to action discussion on how the community can show UP for Black Youth shared BY local Black YOUth
from Simcoe County District School Board.

Students at Simcoe County District School board who want to attend this event will need to connect with their local high school to join in.

We’re better when we all work together.

Thank you to our supporters

@fblackfemale @scdsb @enchantenetwork @georgiancollege @keyzreno

Today! Repost from @captainunclezaddy • "We Kee

Today!

Repost from @captainunclezaddy
•
"We Keep Us Safe: safety and self-protection workshop for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community"
Wednesday March 15
7-9pm
12 Dunlop st E
Uplift Black Center for Social Justice and Inclusion
All-ages//PWYC

#wekeepussafe #safteyfirst #knowyourrights #2slgbtqia #gay #lesbian #bisexual #nonbinary #transgender #genderqueer #gendernonconforming #workshop #Toronto #Barrie #Newmarket #Hamilton #Orillia #fyp #transliberationfront #armtranswomen

DM us for more information or contact @captainunclezaddy 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

It’s time Simcoe County…are you ready for our

It’s time Simcoe County…are you ready for our very first Kiki Kids workshop featuring the Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance and Freedom School Toronto?

At UPlift Black we are Queering Black History with a look back to the Kiki Ballroom community, who were instrumental in shaping both the Pride liberation movement and Queer culture across the globe!

What’s the history of Kiki Ballroom?

Ballroom culture, which originated during the Harlem Renaissance as far back as the 1920s, allows Queer people to express their authentic selves through pageantry and performance that’s glamorous, fun, engaging, and affirming. Ballroom was born out of a need to create space for Black and Brown LGBT+ people to feel safe and in community with each other, free from the racist, homophobic, and transphobic constraints that society had placed upon them. It was within these spaces that Black and Brown LGBTQ+ people could be whoever they wanted to be. Kiki is born from this ballroom culture.

To honour its roots, Kiki is as diverse as our community is: Black and White, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, Brown and Latinx, citizens and newcomers, cisgender and transgender, Queer and questioning, binary and non-binary, young and old m, all make up the fabric of our community. We are a community in solidarity composed of many unique individuals, perspectives, and experiences, and this is what makes us strong.

Our community deserves to Kiki!

Today, the Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance and Toronto Freedom School takes the magic and impact of Kiki ballroom and brings it to our community.

Thank you to the City of Barrie and the Enchante Network for supporting this event!

The deets:
When: March 18, 2023
Time: 1pm to 5pm
Location: UPlift Black Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion,
12 Dunlop St E, Barrie, ON L4M 1A3
Everyone is welcome (allies come thru!)

Register here or by visiting the link in bio!
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/559242558547

At UPlift Black we are Loud and Proud!
✊🏾🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

On #InternationalWomensDay, hundreds of community

On #InternationalWomensDay, hundreds of community organizations from across Canada have signed a statement declaring there is no gender equality without trans women.

#TransWomenAreWomen

To keep trans communities safe and protected, concrete action is needed, now more than ever to address anti-trans hate.

We have endorsed the following calls to action to address anti-trans hate:

We call upon the Government of Canada to ensure that trans communities are included in the forthcoming National Action Plan to Combat Hate, and supported with dedicated resources allocated to fighting anti-trans hate
We call upon civil society organizations across Canada to accelerate efforts to affirm, engage, employ, and uplift trans and gender diverse people
We call upon all feminists to proclaim that feminism must be trans-inclusive, and that there’s no gender equality without trans women

Sign the statement here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e 1FAIpQLSdeLyDkFh4YCnkBebRI1Dk0WBomPSPHBy2ZXFKLIo4-YjK2ig/alreadyresponded

@ccgsd.ccdgs
@blacktranslivesmatters
@blmcanada

🙌🏾 We’re excited to announce that our UPli

🙌🏾 We’re excited to announce that our UPlifter, Honey Johnson is delivering their first panel talk during Coffee Talks, an International Women's Day event brought to you by YMCA Simcoe Muskoka and United Way Simcoe Muskoka.

This years theme is
#Embrace Equity 🙌🏾

Guest Speakers:

Honey Johnson
UPlift Black 🤘🏾

Chantal McNeily
BACS Investment Advisor - RBC Dominion Securities Inc.

Michele MacDonald
President Barrie & District Labour Council

Location:
YMCA Immigrant Services -
320 Bayfield St. Barrie, ON L4M 3C1

Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Time: 5:00pm - 6:30pm

Coffee and snacks provided

For more information, contact
Laura Kelly at laura.kelly@sm.ymca.ca or
Susan Kulkarni at
skulkarni@uwsimcoemuskoka

To start off the week, we’re sharing some great

To start off the week, we’re sharing some great tips from Allyson, a Social Work Student who is doing her placement as an UPlifter through her program at Lakehead University @mylakehead 🙌🏾

Times have changed and respectful disability language is becoming the norm. Thanks to the Disability Rights Movement, advocacy for positive societal change has improved how people with disabilities are talked about in places like the media or in everyday conversations.

It’s important that people are aware of the meaning behind the words they use when talking to, referring to, or working with the Disability Community. Disrespectful language can make people feel excluded and can be a barrier to full participation. In connection to this, the use of language and words describing people with disabilities has changed over time.

Use the guide above to learn the most respectful terms and UP your accessibility language! 🙂

- Allyson Massiah

Come thru! Live Jam, Poetry Slam and Open Mic nig

Come thru!

Live Jam, Poetry Slam and Open Mic night tonight @upbeatboxstudio!

It’s the UPlift for us… Repost from @keyzreno

It’s the UPlift for us…

Repost from @keyzreno
•
I had the opportunity of speaking at The only Honda Operation plant in Canada you folks were amazing thank you for having me and making this such a successful event

@hondacanadamfg
@upliftblackorg
@hondacanada

I want to thank everyone that had a hand in making this happen . It was such a successful event making a change and inspiring the world especially women to explore the trades.
Special thank you to @upliftblackorg and @hondacanada @hondacanadamfg
For such a great vibe and energy. We have a service to do as individuals here on earth and that is to be of service to others inspire and make a great impact in peoples lives.

Another highlight reel from artist @art_tekniks fr

Another highlight reel from artist @art_tekniks from @upliftblackorg Black Futures event at @hondacanada 🤘🏾🖤🔥

Repost from @art_tekniks
•
@upliftblackorg @becomingshellyann .

Thank you @hondacanada for inviting the UPlift Bla

Thank you @hondacanada for inviting the UPlift Black Artist Collective to help curate a Black History Month celebration event at the Head Office.

We’re here making history, today! 🙌🏾🙏🏾✊🏾🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Repost from @hondacanada
•
We had the pleasure of hosting an art showcase at Honda Canada with members of UPlift Black [@upliftblackorg] as part of our Black History Month activities. We were honoured to welcome these talented artists and learn about their work.
@sheisart.xo @klxtn_ @art_tekniks @chemicalmessenger @theeccentric1_ @sweethoneycatering23

...
Nous avons eu le plaisir de présenter une exposition d’art chez Honda Canada en collaboration avec les membres de UPlift Black [@upliftblackorg] dans le cadre de nos activités du Mois de l’histoire des Noirs. Nous avons été honorés d’accueillir ces artistes talentueux et de découvrir leur travail.
@sheisart.xo @klxtn_ @art_tekniks @chemicalmessenger @theeccentric1_ @sweethoneycatering23
@upbeatboxstudio @becomingshellyann @liliggxz @upliftblackorg

Meet Allyson! Allyson (she/her) is a social servi

Meet Allyson!

Allyson (she/her) is a social service worker who has personal experience with neurodiverse barriers.
Allyson’s experiences with racial and disability-based discrimination has fueled her passion to support others experiencing minority-related barriers.
In her efforts to fight discrimination, Allyson has worked as a Family Autism Worker and Disability Coordinator to support individuals through places of disadvantage.
Always going the extra mile to ensure support, Allyson carries her fighting spirit into her daily life and her work.
To further her pursuit to address injustice, Allyson is advancing her education in the social work profession.
Allyson is excited to bring her knowledge as an advocate, a person with a disability, and advanced social work studies to support UPlift black with reducing barriers and increasing accessibility.
Allyson is dedicated to taking steps towards addressing systemic structures to make an equitable distribution of our society’s resources.

Wellness by UPlift Black is a program designed to support the overall health and wellness of Black individuals and families seeking guidance, resources and assistance with the everyday life challenges, that is only amplified when you are trying to navigate the health and wellness community while living as a Black person in Canada.

With the help of Lakehead University Social Work student Allyson Messiah, UPlift Black will be working to increase community access to whole family wellness care they need.

We’re excited to have Allyson join our team for her placement.

Make sure to check back to see what we’re cooking UP! 🤘🏾✊🏾🙌🏾

📣Online Black History Month Panel event startin

📣Online Black History Month Panel event starting at 1pm! 📣

Repost from @enchantenetwork
•
This Black History Month, please join us for two virtual events. One will be an intergenerational conversation reserved for Black 2SLGBTQI+ folks, the other a panel series. ✊🏾🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

➡️ Queering Black Leadership: An Intergenerational Conversation for Aspiring Black leaders

This virtual intergenerational conversation will connect aspiring Black leaders with Queer Black executives to discuss why Queer Black leadership is necessary for the progress of Queer movements in Canada.

The conversation will be led by: 
Tyler Boyce (he/him), Executive Director of The Enchanté Network Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah (she/her), Executive Director of Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity
Shelly-Ann Skinner (she/her), Executive Director of Uplift Black Pride

➡️ Going Beyond Tokenism: Black 2SLGBTQI+ Realities in the Non-Profit Sector
This panel discussion will explore the intersectional realities of Black 2SLGBTQI+ individuals working within the non-profit sector. Attendees will learn practical tools to help employees and organizations go beyond tokenism.

The panelists include: Kymani Montgomary (any pronouns), Programs Manager at the Ten Oaks Project Yamikani Msosa (they/them), Creative Consultant

🔗Follow the link in our bio to register!

———
#blackhistorymonth #blackhistoryisqueerhistory

At UPlift Black we are fueling families with a del

At UPlift Black we are fueling families with a delivery of free, fresh and nourishing fruits and vegetables every month through our Pay it Forward - Good Food Box program with the support of Urban Pantry Barrie and community donations.

Visit upliftblack.org/support to donate!

Thank you 🙏🏾

@urbanpantrybarrie
@upliftblackorg

Check out Tru, our Arts, Media and Culture Directo

Check out Tru, our Arts, Media and Culture Director at @upliftblackorg @upbeatboxstudio article in Simcoe.com!

STORY BEHIND THE STORY:
Simcoe.com heard about Stewart's story at the opening of the UPlift Black centre, and circled back to show his journey as part of our Black History Month coverage - @simcoe.com_news

To view article on simcoe.com visit link in bio!

We’re so proud of all our UPlifters. We’re celebrating Black Futures over at @upliftblackorg 🙌🏾🤘🏾

Repost from @sheisart.xo • Thank you to @upliftb

Repost from @sheisart.xo
•
Thank you to @upliftblackorg for including me in this showcase. What an amazing experience.
** DON’T FORGET PIECES ARE UP FOR AUCTION **

My art is speaking and it’s being heard. All I want is to inspire others to stay creative.
Thank you to @hondacanada for inviting us and allowing us to show our creations , to share our story and to open opportunities for other artists !

And to the CEO and president of Honda Canada Jean - Marc thank you for taking the time to listen to all the artists it truly meant a lot !

#torontoart #toronto #canada #hondacanada #support #artist #artistsoninstagram #explore #fyp #viral #artoftheday #supportartists #femaleartist #artoftheday

Love Jam, Poetry Slam and Open Mic @upbeatboxstudi

Love Jam, Poetry Slam and Open Mic @upbeatboxstudio @upliftblackorg

#livemusic #livejam #poetryslam #openmic #blackhistorymonth #cityofbarrie #simcoecounty

Join US at the UP Beatbox Creative Studio this Fri

Join US at the UP Beatbox Creative Studio this Friday, Feb 3rd 2023 for our 1st event!

Live Jam, Poetry Slam, Open Mic Night - Members + Friends

Are you ready? Cause it’s almost here…  Jam, Slam, Open Mic Night - Members + Friends

Celebrate with UPlift Black as we kick off Black History Month 2023!

- Network with other artists and creatives
- Hit the stage to show us your talent and jam with other artists
_ Enjoy local and live entertainment while supporting emerging artists in your community
- You'll get a sneak peek at our recording studio and who knows what we will create together!

Allies are welcome to join us!

Date:  Friday Feb 3, 2023
When:  7pm to 10pm
Where:  UP BeatBox Creative Studio (inside UPlift Black Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion)
12 Dunlop St E, Downtown Barrie

This is a free event but we're almost at capacity, so register now to join us before you miss out!

For more information contact Tru at stewart@upliftblack.org

At UPlift Black and the UP Beatbox Creative Studio, we are loud and we are PROUD!

http://upbeatbox-open-mic-night.eventbrite.ca

LINK IN BIO TO REGISTER

Our President and Founder Shelly-Ann Skinner was i

Our President and Founder
Shelly-Ann Skinner was interviewed for @simcoe.com_news to discuss her thoughts on Tyre Nichols murder. Link in bio and story on the post.

Something to consider this Black History Month…

What history are we currently creating for our Black YOUth?

What stories will they share 20-30 years from now?

This Black History month,
UPlift Black will be celebrating Black Futures ✊🏾

Repost from @becomingshellyann
•
Difficult conversation but necessary.

Black Lives Matter ✊🏿

Tyre Nichols called out for his Mama

He pleaded again and again asking what did I do? what did I do?

5 grown ass Black men did this.

These “men” so indoctrinated into a system that taught them to hate themselves, that they would do this to another Black man.

That’s the power of white supremacy.

Black People are not immune to acts of racism.

White supremacy has made it even harder for us Black folk to build strong communities.

The reality is, that it’s a dog eat dog world out there and a Black persons proximity to whiteness can afford them privileges that systemically would have been difficult to obtain otherwise.

#justicefortyrenichols
#blacklivesmatter

After 5 years of working in the trade, Keziah Osei

After 5 years of working in the trade, Keziah Osei realized she needed to expand her passion into something that would create opportunities for other women and inspire them to obtain skills in the male-dominated trades industry. Since this realization, it has become her mission to change the lives of women by helping create career stability in the trades industry for women of today and future generations to come. As a result, she established Keyz To Your Home Renovations in 2016.

Make sure to follow @keyzreno as she continues to make waves in the trades industry!

Supporting Black business owners is essential to UPlift Black and our mandate to build community relationships and strengthen cultural awareness. Through our partnership with The Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre and the County of Simcoe, through the Accelerate Your Black Business program, we are supporting local Black owned businesses.

We would like to thank Corex Creative for helping us create these business promotion videos and our funding partners, The Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre and the County of Simcoe.

For more information about our Accelerate Your Black Business Program visit https://upliftblack.org/business

@gchbec
@countyofsimcoe
@corexcreative
@invest.barrie
@xcelerateher
@sandboxcentre
@orilliaareacdc
@nottawasagafutures

Thank you @shorecentrewr and Diva Cares @thedivacu

Thank you @shorecentrewr and Diva Cares @thedivacup for sending UPlift Black some Diva Cups for our community members in need.

It’s partnerships like this…for us 🤘🏾🙌🏾

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