- Over 90 people registered to attended the event with half joining the session and brought together leaders of African and Caribbean Community Associations, professors, policymakers, non-profit leaders, funders, students, service providers, and members of African and Caribbean communities from across Canada, Africa, and the Caribbean.
WATERLOO, ON – May 25, 2026 – The CanAfro Research Institute hosted its “Africa Day 2026 – Public Launch & Policy Dialogue” on Monday, a virtual national event commemorating Africa Day and officially launching Canada’s first national study on African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) community associations.
Research Reveals Hidden Infrastructure
The newly launched report, titled “African, Caribbean, and Black Community Associations in Canada: Landscape, Civic Engagement, Fragmentation, and Pathway to Strategic Unity,” reveals that over 417 federally registered ACB organizations are quietly functioning as essential public infrastructure while remaining chronically underfunded.
Key findings include:
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Estimated CAD $90–170 million in annual economic activity
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Black-led nonprofits receive only 0.3% of philanthropic funding
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One association serving 2,600 newcomers requested 3million and received only CAD $94,500
The presenter was Dr. Tedla Desta of the CanAfro Research Institute, and the respondents included Professor Marieme S. Lo of the University of Toronto African Studies Centre, and James Oshodi, a representative from African and Caribbean community associations.
“These are essential duties of the state being provided by community associations for free,” Desta told attendees.
James Oshodi delivered a sharp rebuke to government funding models: “Funding these institutions is not an act of charity. It is strictly a physical correction for necessary public services that our organizations are already executing on the ground every single day.”
Technical Challenges
During the event, organizers acknowledged technical challenges related to Zoom access. The CanAfro Research Institute apologized to participants after discovering that an alternative Zoom link had mistakenly circulated, resulting in a number of registered attendees being unable to join the session.
“We sincerely apologize to everyone who experienced difficulties accessing the event,” organizers stated. “Unfortunately, another Zoom link was inadvertently shared, and as a result, we missed a number of participants. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding and remain committed to ensuring broader participation in future engagements.”
Systemic Change
Professor Marieme Lo remarked, “One can only imagine the possibilities if funding was provided,” considering that the study was conducted voluntarily and without funding.
The study seeks to inform future policy discussions, strengthen institutional support, and promote sustainable community-based initiatives.
Registration for the event was free, and the dialogue was held virtually via Zoom as part of broader Africa Day celebrations recognizing the contributions and presence of African and Caribbean communities in Canada.
The FULL report is available HERE.