Hope Blooms

Hope Blooms was founded in 2008 by Jessie Jollymore, Community Dietician in the inner city of the North End of Halifax. Working on food security issues and helping people with chronic illness, Jessie saw that simply telling people about the importance of a healthy diet wasn’t enough, and that if people cannot afford to buy healthy food, they were left feeling helpless. Jessie was warned that the garden would be vandalized, or she was shrugged off as being too idealistic, but six years later with a lot of perseverance and community support, the garden is thriving with over 40 youth and their families changing their community for the better, and demonstrating that “when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Source: http://hopeblooms.ca/

Afrikan Canadian Heritage & Friendship Centre

The Centre holds numerous valuable resources recording the history and heritage of African Nova Scotians in the Guysborough and Strait regions, it was established in 2001 and runs under the auspices of the Strait District School Board. Source: http://guysboroughcountyheritage.ca/afrikan-canadian-heritage-friendship-centre/

Black Youth Ice Hockey and Sports Hall of Fame Society

OUR MISSION The Black Ice Hockey and Sports Hall of Fame Society's (BIS) mission is: To research and acknowledge the achievements of black athletes To promote and preserve the lost history of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes 1895-1930 To hold educational and informational conferences that brings together persons interested in the history and struggles of people of color in sports To host inductions of athletes, researchers, and writers of black history To lay the foundation for a permanent Black Ice Hockey and Sports Hall of Fame, in Nova Scotia. OUR HISTORY As early as 2006-2008, local members of the Society of North American Hockey Historians and Researchers (SONAHHR), together with authors, George and Darril Fosty, Black Ice: The Lost History of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes, 1895-1925, were instrumental in hosting three (3) major Black Ice Hockey & Sports Conferences and Hall of Fame Inductions, in Dartmouth, NS. In addition, two commemorative Colored Hockey League (CHL) games have been played, show casing the talents of today’s senior black hockey players. The significance of our findings is not just about hockey, but rather about the significant loss of an important piece of African Canadian History that includes the American Underground Railroad and the leadership of the African United Baptist Churches. After the August 2008 conference, the original organizing group disbanded and a new not for profit group was formed. On May 27, 2009, the Black Ice Hockey & Sports Hall of Fame Society (BIS) was incorporated by the Province of Nova Scotia. KEY STAKEHOLDERS Our key stakeholders are the founding Board of Directors, who to this point, perform or find other volunteer assistance to carry out various tasks. Presently, we hold monthly meetings at our BOD workplaces. Our current funding has been secured through grant submissions. The roster for the commemorative Colored Hockey League games are skilled African Canadian players, who give of their time and talent, freely. All of the Instructors of the children’s Black Youth Hockey Initiative Program are required to complete the standards of Hockey Nova Scotia, including Speak out, Child Abuse Registry, and Criminal Records Checks. In addition, special guest coaches and community role models are invited to assist and participate. The focus is on having fun, learning to skate, and basic hockey skills. The BIS role is to identify black youths, and other visible minorities and their families to participate in this program. Our African Nova Scotian Board members will assist all parents with hockey issues related to costs, equipment, transportation, comfort, acceptance, etc.

East Preston Senior Citizens Club

The entrance to the Club is located in the back of the East Preston Recreation Centre.

Africentric Learning Institute

To promote Africentric Philosophy as a catalyst for positive change, progress and achievement in education in the African Nova Scotian Community. Also to be an online focal point and meeting place for intelligent discussion, debate, and advancement of African Nova Scotian life. Source: facebook.com/AfricentricTV/

Black Business Initiative

The BBI is committed to growing a Black presence in a diverse range of business sectors including high-tech, manufacturing, tourism , and the cultural sector. Source: http://www.bbi.ca

Ernie Simmonds III Ministry Centre

Africa Festival of Arts and Culture Society

The mission of AFACS is to encourage and foster successful exposure and community awareness of African arts and culture in Nova Scotia. AFACS is a cultural society that strives to provide enabling environment that will encourage the promotion of African arts and culture for all people of African descent residing in Nova Scotia. Source: afacs.org