Diversity and inclusion have long been key to Canada's success and prosperity, and Black Canadians have contributed to making Canada the country it is today. The Government of Canada is investing in Black-led and Black-serving organizations across the country to address longstanding and systemic barriers to social and economic inclusion.
Today, Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, together with Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, congratulated the Foundation for Black Communities on announcing the results of its first call for proposals supported by the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund. A total of $9.1 million, including $5.88 million from the Fund, will support 84 projects that are working to fight anti-Black racism and improve social and economic outcomes for Black communities in Canada. Another 23 projects are being finalized, which may bring the total up to 107.
The Government of Canada established the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment fund to create a sustainable source of funding for Black-led, Black-focused and Black-serving not-for-profit organizations and registered charities in Canada to empower Black communities across Canada.
This work builds on the Government of Canada's commitment to help Black communities in Canada reach their full potential through the endorsement of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, which runs from 2015 to 2024. Canada recently announced an extension domestically-until 2028-of the federal government's efforts, within these frameworks, to promote equity and empower Black communities. Since endorsing the UN Decade in 2018, the Government of Canada has committed up to $860 million to Black-focused initiatives-from racial justice to entrepreneurship to economic dignity. In April, Minister Khera also endorsed a proposal by the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent to renew the International Decade for another 10-year term.
