Canadian Black Directorate launched to provide solutions to address economic, racial and social inequities

BY PAUL JUNOR

The launch of the Canadian Black Directorate (CABD) on Sunday, April 11^th, 2021 signalled a positive development within the African-Canadian community.

On the flyer advertising the Elite launch it indicates that it was endorsed by: Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Federal NDP leader, Jagmeet Singh, MP Peter Fonseca, MP Ziad Aboultaif, Chief Reggie Neeposh, Dr. Leslyn Lewis and CEO Donna Walyn.

CABD has been the brainchild of Dr. Pat Francis who is described as the visionary. She is a well-known pastor in the black community where she serves as senior minister of Kingdom Covenant Centre (KCC), which was previously called Deeper Life  Christian Ministry.

Dr. Francis states, “You are the change agent others are waiting for, the creative power you are looking for and the servant God is seeking for.” This is her passion. The aim of CABD is, “To restore, equip and transform lives, propelling youth to achieve their full potential regardless of their circumstances, and to repair harm in order to move forward in positive ways and for safer communities across Canada”

These empowering words show that CABD hopes to affect and impact many lives. In fact, the mission of the CABD summarizes what is important to the organization. It states, “To advance the cause of the black, indigenous and visible minority groups in Canada, to achieve personal success, economic development and social advancement, to create solutions for children and youth, and to empower people to succeed in spite of their circumstances.”

The CABD is a membership organization that is geared toward business and professional leaders that have five main foci;

• Business and Economics
• Justice and Intervention
• Health and Wellness
• Children and Youth,
• Community Outreach

There will be nine committees that will use a holistic and integrated approach to advance the achievement of these objectives. The website listed twenty-two individuals as founding members who have a “Dream of equal opportunity, justice, prosperity and security for all Canadians.”

The directors of CABD include:

• Pat Francis (Executive Chair and Visionary)
• Gary Bennett (President, lawyer),
• Zamal Whyte (Vice-President, Banker)
• Shawn Knights (Director, Lawyer)
• Veronique Henry (Board Secretary, Lawyer, Professor)
• Jerrold Johnson (Treasurer)

There are nine advisors for the CABD. The CABD uses the acronym ELITE to describe its objectives, which means: Education, Leadership, Integrity, Togetherness and Empowerment. This is intended to “Resonate; to make the experience of being a member of CABD rewarding.”

At the launch of CABD, Dr Pat Francis spoke about the vision of the organization which will seek to address anti-black racism and deal with societal inequities.

Dr. Leslyn Lewis who ran for the leadership of the federal Progressive Conservatives spoke about the support she receives, and the fact that she raised over $2 million.

Alonzo Abbey, spoke about how as a youth he was involved in the drug trade. He was able to rise above these early challenges to become a lawyer. CABD has a partnership with Acorn2Oak, which helps youth who get in trouble with the law.

On May 13^th, 2021, CABD will host its first workshop titled “Unlocking Your Hidden Potential. Information about the CABD can be found at the website canadianblackdirectorate.ca