Halifax launches new program to combat anti-Black racism

Halifax is putting out a call for ideas it hopes will lead to community projects to tackle anti-Black racism.

The municipality is launching a new grant program, after consultations with African Nova Scotian communities, that's part of its anti-Black racism action plan.

The initiative is described as a crucial step in recognizing and attempting to address systemic racism.

"I think it can make a tremendous difference," said Russel Brooks, the anti-Black racism lead with Halifax's African Nova Scotian Affairs Integration Office. "I see a lot of awareness and education coming from this initiative."

Grants will be awarded for projects that home in on at least one of the following areas:

Funding for projects will range from $500 up to $10,000, with the hope that the program will empower communities most impacted by anti-Black racism.

"They can tell some of the stories that have been omitted historically from the communities. And this is a way for them to truly lead it," Brooks said.

Brooks, from East Preston, N.S., considers the issue of racism an urgent one and said providing a way for African Nova Scotian people to take control of their own narrative is a key part of the program.  

"There's so much history here of oppression and there's so many examples of anti-Black racism," he said. "We're doing substantive things to really impact change on a community level."

Former professional basketball player Chris Johnson, who read about the parameters of the program online, said he is thinking of submitting an application.

For the past four years, he has been running an anti-racism basketball tournament for school-aged boys and girls in the Halifax area, thanks in part to sponsors who have helped out. But securing funding is always a difficult task.

Johnson, who is from North Preston, is the founder of the non-profit Tunnel Vision Association, which has a number of programs for youth and a focus on anti-racism and equity.

The 35-year-old played NCAA basketball in the U.S., and several pro seasons in Europe and North America, including with the Halifax Hurricanes of the National Basketball League of Canada. He was motivated to start the tournament after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn., in 2020.  

"I wanted to use my platform, which I thought was basketball, to bring awareness to a situation," Johnson said.