Program Information
The Black Leadership Institute (BLI) is a training program created through our existing Black Leadership Institute on Social Action for Change (BLISC). As part of the Canadian Women’s Foundation Investment Readiness Program funded by the Government of Canada’s Social Innovation/Social Finance Strategy, the BLI will provide Black Women and Black-identified groups interested in leadership development, to gain transferable skills required to drive change in the community. The BLI is built on the concepts of educating participants on the intersectionality of gender, race, socioeconomic status, among other factors; and their impacts on Anti-Black Racism at work.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to empower and uplift Black individuals, fostering a community of excellence, resilience, and social impact.
Program Description
The Black Leadership Institute strives to create a supportive network that nurtures talent, fosters collaboration, and inspires lasting impact. Through addressing anti-Black racism and analyzing intersectionality, the program aims to cultivate a new generation of confident and influential Black leaders who will contribute positively to their communities and workplaces.
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COURSE TOPICS
Introduction to Critical Race Theory
History of Settlement of the Black Canadian communities
Critical Race Theory and the workplace
Understanding and locating Anti-Black Racism
Intersectionality and the concept of misogyny
Examining the intersectional social determinants of health of the Black community;
COVID; Mental health; harm reduction; police-Black relations
Understanding tribalism and Anti-Black racism
Applying African concepts in the diaspora
Black community and technology
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What is BLI’s compelling value for participants:
• BLI focuses on anti-Black racism and developing leadership potential.
• BLI has a dedicated in-house CRT professor, PhD.
• BLI will have a network of guest speakers, alumni, and advisors.
• BLI has a validated CRT course.
• BLI will be recognized as a Skills for Change BCAP program.
• BLI helps participants assume greater market readiness for career development.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES
Participants will significantly improve their critical thinking skills and understanding of concepts such as, intersectionality.
Participants will have an improved understanding of the historical context of Anti-Black Racism.
Participants will acquire skills to evaluate the role of laws and institutions that perpetuated racial disparities.
Participants will learn to explore narratives and movements that challenges dominant ideologies.
Readily analyze the implications of AI, media, and technology on the Black community.
Participants will learn how to address barriers to intersectional social determinants of health of the Black community.
Participants will have the opportunity to develop a social action initiative.
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Program Key Features
• Critical Race Theory Leadership course
• Expert Mentorship for a Social Action Leadership Initiative
• Black Leadership Guest Speaker Interviews
• Networking Opportunities
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Key Benefits for your Company
• Participants will gain the skills needed to drive Black-led initiatives within and outside your organization.
• Participants will learn how to critically analyze and confront anti-Black racism in the workplace.
• Participants will be equipped with the tools needed to facilitate discussion around anti-Black racism in the workplace.
• Participants may receive a significant boost to their mental and emotional well-being.
• Participants may experience significant boosts in company morale, burnout prevention, and anti-oppressive managerial skills.
• Participants will learn to forge positive organizational culture.
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How do participating organizations benefit from BLI?
• BLI will equip participants to facilitate social action projects within organizations
and/or within the community.
• BLI may contribute to enhanced employee recruitment and retention.
• BLI will encourage innovative thinking and critical thinking skills.
• BLI may promote employee morale and productivity.
• BLI may enhance leadership representation.
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PILOT COHORT
Length: Fridays; 5 weeks
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm EST
Date: Friday, February 24, 2024 (Tentative)
Location: Remote
Price: $750.00
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BLI is a leadership training for Black Women and Black-identified groups interested in leadership development, to gain transferable skills required to drive change in the community. The BLI is built on the concepts of educating participants on the intersectionality of gender, race, socioeconomic status, among other factors; and their impacts on Anti-Black Racism at work.
Understanding of History and Its Impact on Us
Week One
Introduction, Project review & expectations, Project ideas
Reviewing the History of settlement of the Black Canadian communities
Critical Race Theory and workplace
Professor Wesley Crichlow
Anti Black Racism, Intersectionality and Social Determinants of Health of the Black Community
Week Two
Understanding and Locating Anti-Black Racism and #BlackLivesMatter
Intersectionality, Black Women and the concept of misogynoir
Examining the Intersectional Social Determinants of Health of the Black Community: Covid, Mental Health, Harm Reduction, Police- Black Relations
In the future - Guest speaker: Woman speaker - Alliance for Healthier Communities, Women Health in Women Hands
Working with African-Black and Diasporic Communities: Building Bridges
Week Three
Understanding Tribalism and Anti-Black Racism
Applying African Concepts in the Diaspora
How Does Food and Art Unite People
In conversation with Dr. Wesley Crichlow
Project Check-In and Updates, Black Tech
Week Four
Project Check-In and Updates
Project Transition from BLISC to BLI and Application to the Workplace
Blacks and AI, Social Media and Technology
Conclusions and Presentation of Project Concepts
Wesley Crichlow
Week Five
BIPOC leaders’ discussion of topics such as, anti-oppressive strategic leadership, human-centered management, human-centered system thinking, service design, and insights for innovation.
Guest Speakers
TBD