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 approved by council in December 2020.

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.

Program already attracting interest

“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.

Chris Johnson is shown at the North Preston Community Centre basketball court where his first Anti-Racism Tournament was held. (Gareth Hampshire/CBC)

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.

Through the games in his tournament, along with mentorship and guest speakers, Johnson believes thousands of people have heard his message.

“I think we’ve been able to bring a light to the fight,” he said. “Everyone walks away from it with a great basketball experience, but also a lesson in mindfulness toward having anti-racism.”

Healing sessions raised to support people

Tanya McHarg said she still hears about anti-Black racism all the time from people she helps as a social worker, meditation coach and therapist under supervision.

“I talk to people that work in all areas — health, justice, education — every day, social workers as well, they are still very much impacted by racism,” she said.

McHarg is also thinking about applying to the grant program, which could support things such as workshops and other undertakings.

“I love to see programs like this,” she said, explaining she may put forward an application to run healing sessions.

“Very passionate about supporting people to heal from lots of things, racial trauma being one, by using meditation, mindfulness, healing circles,” she said.

Tanya McHarg is thinking of applying for a grant to run healing sessions that deal with racial trauma but says action is also needed throughout society. (Submitted by Tanya McHarg)

While she described the program as a necessary step, McHarg noted it is only part of the solution, with bigger change still needed throughout society.

The application period runs until the end of October and submissions will be reviewed by a panel.

Those who are selected will find out next February as part of African Heritage Month.

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