We are committed to amplifying BIWOC voices + Canadian BIPOC organizations that you can support

Dear WOI Community, 

Where do we begin? 

It is important for us to say that we condemn racism, that we stand in solidarity with the Black and Indigenous Communities in the fight for change, but that is not enough. 

It is important that we invite Black Women, Indigenous Women, and Women of Color to share their different lived experiences on our platform, so we can amplify their stories in their words. But this is not enough. 

What we commit to, and what we are asking those members of our community in a place of privilege to join us in, is to do the work it takes to better understand these stories, to read and listen and learn, to recognize this struggle hasn’t lasted weeks but hundreds of years, and to always ensure our allyship comes with action — donating funds, lending privilege, and showing up how we are asked and needed, not how it suits us best. 

Sometimes, we will get it wrong. But we are learning from our community — and we will continue to learn from our community to make us a stronger voice for all. 

As a first step, we’ve donated to Developing Young Leaders of Tomorrow (DYLOTT), a Black focused leadership incubator program based in Toronto, and founded by Candies Kotchapaw, one of our 2020 Top 25 recipients. We encourage those who can, to join us. We have also compiled a list of other Canadian BIPOC organizations that you can support:

Black Youth Help-line 

A not-for-profit offering Helpline services Canada-wide, and serving as the point of contact for calls to their professional services from youth, families, school districts, and a variety of youth-serving stakeholders. Service in French and other languages available upon request.

Black Lives Matter Toronto

A movement founded by Black Torontonians to resist anti-Black racism, state-sanctioned, institutional violence, and fight for Black Lives.

Black-led Mental Health Support

A fund set up by 3 Black Registered Social Workers (RSWs), Susan Bascillo, Yemi Otukoya, and Melissa Taylor to support low/no-cost virtual mental health care for Black clients in East York, Toronto and across Ontario.

Harriet Tubman Community Organization

A non-profit agency dedicated to building meaningful and developmental relationships with young people between the ages of 8 – 25 years old experiencing socialization, particularly youth of African descent.

Black Women in Motion

A youth-led organization working to empower and support black womxn, and survivors of sexual violence. The organization works within an anti-racist, intersectional feminist, trauma-informed, and survivor centred format with the knowledge to create relevant content, economic opportunities, safe spaces, and educational tools for black womxn. 

Black Health Alliance

A community-led registered charity working to improve the health and wellbeing of Black communities in Canada. By incorporating research, strong partnerships, and people; the organization can build innovative solutions and create lasting changes in the Black community.

Justice For Regis

A fund created by the late Regis Korchinski-Paquet’s family to pay for organizing her funeral service and to raise awareness about the incident.

Toronto Protester Bail Fund

A fund created by Strapped TO, a Black queer party collective in Toronto, to raise funds to assist in paying for private legal counsel and have the potential to create asset collateral for bail hearings. 

Indian Residential School Survivor Society

A provincial organization in BC with a twenty-year history of providing essential, culturally-based services to Residential School Survivors, their families, and those dealing with Intergenerational traumas.

Legacy of Hope Foundation

A Canadian, Indigenous-led charitable organization that works to educate and raise awareness about the history and intergenerational impacts of the Residential School System, Sixties Scoop, and other means cultural oppression against Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) Survivors, their descendants, and their communities.

Sisters in Spirit

A charitable service that provides programs and a safe and welcoming environment for all Aboriginal women (cisgender, transgender, and two-spirited people) and their children in the Greater Toronto Area.