Social Locations – Black Communities
Equity Framework > Social Locations > Black Communities
Black communities in Toronto include diverse people who self-identify as African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) [1]. Black communities make up 9.6% of Toronto’s population [2]. Anti-Black racism and discrimination affect the lives of the more than 200,000 Black people who call Toronto home.
Anti-Black racism includes policies and practices embedded in Canadian institutions that reflect and reinforce:
- beliefs
- attitudes
- prejudice
- stereotyping and/or discrimination directed at people of African descent.
Anti-Black racism exists due to the unique history and experience of slavery and colonization in Canada [3]. Anti-Black racism contributes to long standing inequities in Black communities. For example, limiting access to employment, healthcare, education and other social services and supports that are vital to the wellbeing of Black populations [4].
Black communities continue to navigate structural barriers and advocate for change and equity [5]. Universal equity initiatives often fail to effectively serve Black Torontonians. Targeted equity measures can help ensure that Black Torontonians have access to the full benefits of living in Toronto [2].
To learn more about to child and family well-being disaggregated by race, including Black students, please visit the Equity Analysis Toolkit page on Raising the Village.
References
- Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2022). Language Matters: Black Like Whom? Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/catalyst/black-like-whom/#:~:text=In%20early%202021%2C%20the%20Mental,with%20dark%20skin%2C%20regardless%20of
- City of Toronto. (2022). 2021 Census: Citizenship, Immigration, Ethnic Origin, Visible Minority Groups (Race), Mobility, Migration, Religion. Available from: https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/8ff2-2021-Census-Backgrounder-Immigration-Ethnoracial-Mobility-Migration-Religion-FINAL1.1-corrected.pdf
- City of Toronto. Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism. Available from https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-109127.pdf
- City of Toronto.(n.d.) CABR Anti-Black Racism Analysis Tool (Updated). Available from: https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9513-CABR-Anti-Black-Racism-Analysis-Tool-UPDATED-002.pdf
- Black Health Alliance. (n.d.) Perspectives on Health & Well-Being in Black Communities in Toronto: Our Health, Our Way. Available from: https://blackhealthalliance.ca/resources/knowledge-hub/