The Elevate Her Conference returns for its 4th annual gathering—bringing together Black women leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives together!

The Elevate Her Conference returns for its 4th annual gathering—bringing together Black women leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, and change-makers from across British Columbia and beyond. This year, we are re-imagining the conference experience as an elegant evening event designed to spark connection, inspiration, and collective power.

With our 2026 theme, Connected Power: The Strength of Us, we explore what becomes possible when Black women come together not only to lead, but to build, collaborate, and influence systems that shape our future.

This intimate, highly curated experience will feature:

• A dynamic keynote from Marci Ien

• A powerful panel discussion highlighting innovation, leadership, and impact

• Dedicated networking + relationship-building opportunities

• A beautifully catered reception

• Access to women-led vendors, partners, and community organizations

• A space intentionally designed for rest, reflection, and growth

Who Should Attend

• Black women in business, tech, policy, arts, and social impact

• Emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and students

• Anyone invested in supporting the leadership, wellness, and economic mobility of Black women

Why Attend

✔ Build meaningful connections with Black women leaders and innovators
✔ Gain tools, insights, and lived wisdom for personal and professional growth
✔ Engage in conversations that drive systemic change
✔ Experience a conference designed with intentionality, joy, and cultural care
✔ Be part of a movement that uplifts Black women’s voices, power, and legacy

Celebrate African diaspora excellence with 10% of event proceeds going to Hogan’s Alley Society. Explore 10 sacred Adinkra symbols through fashion, music, & community. Feb. 28th at Beaumont Studios.

You were born in darkness. Now it's time to be crowned in gold.

Black Gold Stepper is a celebration of African diaspora excellence, creative power, and cultural heritage. This is a movement. A moment. A homecoming. Welcome back.

Step into Vancouver’s most electrifying creative experience where art, fashion, and music collide to ignite positive community change.
Join the movement on February 28th, where a powerful celebration of African diaspora excellence, urban formal style, and the sacred energy and knowledge of ten legendary symbols await. Black Gold Stepper unites performers, artists, and visionaries for a night of live music, runway moments, and immersive storytelling.

What to Expect:

• PRIZE GIVEAWAYS

• Live performances, fashion runway, and DJ sets

• Urban formal dress code—bring your boldest, most creative fit

• Food & drink for sale (in partnership with Riddim and Spice, pending)

• Exclusive Black Gold Stepper merch drop

Why We Gather:
To reignite the creative flame, inspire positive community action, and celebrate the power of showing up. Every ticket, every dance, every laugh is an act of support for art as activism. 10% of proceeds will be donated to a local charity (to be announced).

The Symbols:
Experience the meaning and energy of humility, strength, love, protection, creativity, and more, woven into every moment.

Ready to step up?

Secure your spot, bring your crew, and let’s make history together.
Live your dream. Don’t back down.

THE 10 SACRED ADINKRA SYMBOLS

Each symbol carries centuries of wisdom, strength, and cultural heritage:

• Adinkra Dwennimmen (Ram's Horns) – Humility and Strength

• Adinkra Gye Nyame (The Spiral) – Supremacy of God

• Adinkra Nkyinkyim (Winding Path) – Life's Journey and Twists

• Adinkra Sankofa (Bird Looking Back) – Return and Get It

• Adinkrahene – King of the Adinkra, Authority and Leadership

• Esono Anantam (The Elephant) – Leadership, Protection, Power, Security

• Nsibidi Chioma – Luck

• Odo Nnyew Fie Kwan – Love Does Not Lose Its Way

• Zulu Shield Diamonds – Warrior Spirit and Protection

• Universal Seed of Life – Creation and Sacred Geometry

WHO THIS IS FOR

Creatives. Musicians. Dancers. Models. Actors. Photographers. Influencers. Community builders. Culture-makers. Anyone ready to reconnect with their heritage, reclaim their story, and move forward with wisdom. This is for you if you believe art is a weapon to spread love and make the world better.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Time: 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM PST
Location: Beaumont Studios, 316 West 5th Ave, Vancouver, BC
*Enter at 326 W. 5th Ave - B2 Studios

Dress Code: Urban, comfy, mixed with business casual.
Black and gold/yellow encouraged.

CBMA Expands West to Vancouver for Black History Month Showcase!

Join us on this Canada Black Music Archives’ (CBMA) journey to Western Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia to amplify the music of Black Canadian artists during Black History Month. Come and celebrate the culture and five incredible musicians in performance at the Museum of Vancouver on February 27th.

This special event will feature the legendary Dee Daniels, Henri Brown, Ndidi Cascade, Khari McClelland and Bukola Balogun. Internationally known DJ and CBMA’s Production Coordinator Carl Allen will be spinning in between performances by the artists.

Dive into music that highlights the power of Black Canadian music history with a focus on Vancouver’s finest soul/R&B musicians.

Programming kicks off with a few speakers from the CBMA, Hogan’s Alley Society, and the Unity Centre Association for Black Cultures (UCABC).

Bring your friends and grab some good vibes! The event starts at 5pm and runs to 10pm.

The Ethos Lab Black-A-Thon is a design jam and  immersive experience that blends historical enlightenment with contemporary innovation. Over the course of the event participants will learn about a Black Inventor and hack their invention.

Each year 150 youth, from across the region participate in this immersive event to reimagine or “hack” inventions inspired by and from Black history. This year the Blackathon will Reimagine Hogan’s Alley to design the future development following the removal of the Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts. 

Artificial Intelligence for Impact 

In the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) equity matters now more than ever. This year’s Blackathon will focus on Applied Artificial Intelligence. Participants use Generative AI tools and culturally grounded design methods to critically and creatively to create community impact. 

Who can participate? CURIOUS and IMAGINATIVE YOUTH ONLY.

Build a team or come alone. In order to participate in the 2026 Blackathon you must attend a Blackathon Workshop- Make sure to register below. This session will prepare you and your team with the skills to succeed in the Ethos Lab Blackathon. Students will practice critical thinking, design and hands on AI skills.

Join Reel Causes for A Night of Obsidian in honour of Black History Month.

A Night of Obsidian is an evening to come together as a community to watch a powerfully relevant film and then engage in rich conversation with freedom fighters who document social movements through film, writing, and lived experience. This is not just a screening. It is a shared space to breathe, reflect, and be nourished by stories that remind us who we are and what we are capable of together.

The Film

Shoot The People is a documentary that follows photographer and activist Misan Harriman as he documents global protest movements during a year that leads to his Oscar nomination. Through Harriman’s lens, we witness the resilience of grassroots activists fighting for equality, civil rights, and social justice across the world.

The film weaves historical context, interviews with activists, and reflections on digital activism to reveal the intersectionality and collective power of modern movements. Shoot The People is a reminder that documentation is not passive—it is an act of resistance. The film invites us to recognize our own power in shaping a more just society and to understand storytelling as a living, breathing force for change.

Panel Discussion

Our Curator, Natasha Tony, is hosting. As a cultural producer, community builder, and host of the Narrative Shift podcast, her work centers identity, belonging, and healing—and this night lives at that intersection.

We are joined by an extraordinary panel of guests whose lives embody the impact of documenting truth.

Lillian E. Benson, ACE, is a legendary film and television editor whose work includes Eyes On the Prize II, Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, and Get In The Way – The Journey of John Lewis. Her storytelling has shaped how generations understand civil rights, legacy, and resistance.

Elmer Dixon is a lifelong activist whose journey spans from marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to co-founding the Seattle Chapter of the Black Panther Party. His work organizing Police Alert Patrols, Free Breakfast Programs, medical clinics, and food programs reflects a living legacy of community care and liberation in action.

Welcome to Black Arts Vancouver! We are a registered Non-Profit Society established to bring together members of Vancouver’s Black community through workshops, teaching opportunities, and exhibitions for the benefit of the Black community of Vancouver at no cost to youth and young families. Established in 2018, we aim to provide intentional long-term education, arts, and expression opportunities for Pan-African youth and artists in BC.

We’re excited to invite you to our Mardi Gras Fundraiser at The Birdhouse, in partnership with Canadian Blood Services. Together we’ll enjoy a night of artist exhibitions, food, drinks, dancing, and community building!

Hosted by Mx. Bukuru and our founder Berlynn Beam, our event will feature presentations from artists Maya Milton and Qolour, who will be sharing their experiences with chronic illness and Black identity. We’re also excited to host speakers from Canadian Blood Services who will be sharing their motivations and journal of diversifying their donor base and making blood donation safer and more accessible for BIPOC. Attendees can also enjoy a catered buffet by Elbo Patties, shop Indigenous-focused art and trinkets by Renovatio Creative Co., purchase organic herbal juices from Bush Empress Juices, and vibe to sets by local DJs Eme_LikeTheAward and DJ TRANCERIGHTS.

All funds raised will go towards our operational and admin funds - ensuring our employees can continue to be paid a living wage, our amazing volunteers are supported, and we can begin to kickstart our free youth workshops, paid facilitation opportunities for artists, and PWYC/low barrier events.

Join us for a high-energy Mardi Gras fun-raiser supporting ethnic whole blood and plasma donations through Canadian Blood Services’ Partners for Life program. Dive into an unforgettable night of music, masks, and meaning — featuring inspiring speakers who’ve personally lived through blood disorders or depended on lifesaving transfusions. Join us for celebration and impact!. We’re kicking off with a groovy music hour featuring Eme_liketheaward to set the vibe before our speakers take the mic.

Two speakers from Canadian Blood Services will help unpack why donations from racialized communities matter — and why we all need to show up. They’ll share the real need for diverse donors, the impact of blood disorders on individuals and communities, and how supply hasn’t bounced back since the pandemic, especially for those with uncommon blood types.

It’s a powerful night of insight, lived experience, and motivation — because many people in our communities live with conditions like sickle cell disease, where matched blood saves lives.

Plus: a look at the history of blood donation in Canada — from its roots to today’s Partners for Life movement and the ongoing push to build a donor base that reflects Canada’s diversity.

History: Canada’s organized blood system began after World War II, originally operated by the Canadian Red Cross before being overhauled into today’s national system managed by Canadian Blood Services (outside Québec) and Héma-Québec in 1998 following major reforms to improve safety and accessibility.

In recent decades, the focus has expanded beyond basic collection to ensuring the blood supply reflects Canada’s population. Canadian Blood Services now tracks donor ethnicity and actively works to build a diverse donor base because certain rare blood types and antigen profiles are inherited and vary by ancestral background — making diversity essential for patients with conditions like sickle cell disease and thalassemia, who disproportionately affect racialized communities.

Despite this need, racialized communities — especially Black Canadians — have historically been underrepresented in the donor pool. Ongoing efforts are underway to address barriers and increase inclusion, including changes to screening practices and targeted community engagement, to improve access for all Canadians and ensure more equitable health outcomes.

Ticket Information:

General Admission: $15.00CAD

• Entry, no buffet access

Tier 1: $25.00CAD

• Entry, buffet access, 1 raffle ticket.

Tier 2: $45.00CAD

• Entry, buffet access, 1 drink ticket, 1 raffle ticket.

Tier 3: $75.00CAD

• Entry, buffet access, 2 drink tickets, Black Arts Vancouver t-shirt, 5 raffle tickets.

Recommended arrival time for all ticket holders is 6:00PM-6:45PM. Arrivals after 6:45pm are accepted but may be disruptive to our speakers/performers.

All ages - attendees under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

We cannot ensure accommodations for allergies / dietary restrictions. Questions or concerns can be addressed by emailing admin@blackartsvancouver.com

Buffet dinner will be closing at 8:30PM.

Free and open to all 
Entertainment by Bukola and Lordnation 

A joint initiative between the Black Student Centre and the Gibson Art Museum, this event aims to explore the historical significance and cultural impact of Hogan's Alley, Vancouver's once-thriving Black community. It will bring together leaders from the Black community to discuss how systemic displacement of Hogan's Alley affected Black life and culture, while also showcasing efforts to reclaim space and memory. The panel aims to foster dialogue connecting past injustices to current movements for cultural preservation and community-led development. Through storytelling and critical reflection, the event will honour the rich history of Hogan's Alley and center Black voices in envisioning a brighter future for the community. 

The panelists include June Francis, Director of the Institute for Black and African Diaspora Research and Engagement at SFU and Chair of Hogan’s Alley Society; and Michelle Fenton, an architect and founding partner of Khôra Architecture + Interiors, who designed SFU's Black Student Centre. The moderator is Ilhan Abdullahi, SFU Radius instructor and graduate student, community organizer, public health professional, sessional instructor, and co-founder of the Black Public Health Collective. 

How did Harry and Valerie Jerome push past anti-Black racism to become Olympians?

In the 1960s, Harry Jerome set 7 world records, including the 100-yard dash, earning him the title of the world’s fastest man. His grandfather, John “Army” Howard, was Canada’s first Black Olympian, running in Stockholm in 1912 against nearly impossible odds. Harry’s sister, Valerie, competed for Canada at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

In her memoir Races, Valerie Jerome reveals the racism they fought along the way—from their community, the press, their country, and even inside their family home.

Join us for a conversation between Valerie Jerome and award-winning author Harrison Mooney.

Valerie Jerome is an Olympian who represented Canada at the 1960 Rome Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, and the Pan American Games. She is the granddaughter of Canada’s first Black Olympian, John “Army” Howard, and her brother Harry was one of the most recognizable Black Canadian athletes in the 1960s. Away from the track, Jerome has represented the Green Party of British Columbia and is a recipient of the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal and a City of Vancouver Heritage Award for her work in conservation. She has also served as a board member for numerous organizations, including Achilles Track & Field, the Black Educators of BC, the Junior Black Achievement Awards, and Vancouver Youth Theatre.

Harrison Mooney is an associate editor at The Tyee. He is an award-winning author and journalist from Abbotsford, B.C., who won the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize for his debut memoir, Invisible Boy. The book was also nominated for two B.C. and Yukon Book Prizes and the prestigious Hurston Wright Legacy Award. His writing has appeared in the Vancouver Sun, National Post, the Guardian, Yahoo and Maclean’s. Harrison was the 2022 Writer in Residence at VPL.

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Accessibility: VPL is committed to making our programs accessible for all. If you have an access need that we have not addressed here, please email us at programs@vpl.ca.

• Elevator access to the Alice MacKay Room in the lower level is available via the atrium (next to the bank machine) or via the underground parkade.

• There will be reserved areas for patrons on wheelchairs or mobility devices.

For more information on physical access, view the Accessibility information on the Central Library page.

Afrocentric Values in Practice is an online community learning session hosted by Hogan’s Alley Society on February 10, 2026, as part of the Building Belonging Series. The event aims to explore how Afrocentric values shape physical spaces, culture, and community life. Grounded in HAS’s Afrocentric design principles and the Main & Union project, the session will feature presentations, a panel with practitioners and community leaders, and facilitated group discussions. Participants will reflect on how Afrocentric values promote a sense of belonging, support cultural continuity, and resist displacement, while providing feedback to help inform Hogan’s Alley Community Land Trust (HASCLT) growth and future housing work. 

OUR PANELISTS

• Lys Divine Ndemeye is an award-winning landscape designer, artist, and educator. She is the Principal and Creative Director of Remesha Design Lab, a multi-faceted research and design studio specializing in landscape architecture, public realm planning, and public art. Since 2021, she has served as an Adjunct Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of British Columbia. Her work has been recognized with several honors, including the 2020 Olmsted Scholar Award and the 2022 BC Society of Landscape Architects President’s Award. Divine is also the founder of the Black+Indigenous Design Collective and host of the Design Unmuted podcast. 

• Kendra Coupland (she/her) is a meditation teacher, yoga grandmaster and multi-disciplinary artist of mixed Caribbean and Romani heritage. As a survivor of violence, Kendra brings a compassionate, trauma-informed, and intersectional framework to her practice. Her work strives to create safer spaces for people who experience marginalization to practice self-liberation, and she is wholeheartedly dedicated to building communities of loving kindness and care.   

• Kizito Musabimana is the Founder & Executive Director of the Rwandan Canadian Healing Centre, established in 2018 following his personal journey of healing from PTSD resulting from trauma caused by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. After walking from Toronto to Montreal in 2016 to raise awareness about PTSD and trauma, he has led national systems-change initiatives advancing African-led refugee housing, healing, and community development. He is among the founding leaders of the African-Canadian Collective in 2025b and Co-Founder of Ubuntu Land Trust & Developments. 

• Tura Cousins Wilson OAA, BNA, MRAIC Co-founder and Principal Architect of Studio of Contemporary Architecture (SOCA)

  Tura Cousins Wilson’s approach and practice are inspired by creating uplifting spaces of beauty. He contends that architecture’s power lies in its ability to transform collective imaginations and narratives into reality. His design methodology leverages historical and cultural research and is drawn towards the redemptive qualities of reconstituting existing buildings & overlooked communities.

  Tura’s experience and creative interest are civic in scale; including social housing, cultural spaces, urban design, exhibition design, and public art. Tura is equally compelled by the craft and intimacy of private residential design.

• This panel will be moderated by Michelle Fenton.
  Michelle Fenton is an architect, community engagement facilitator, and founder of Khôra Architecture + Interiors. Her work is guided by a simple truth: architecture shapes how we gather, connect, and care for one another. With over 25 years in practice, Michelle designs spaces that integrate culture, wellbeing, and belonging—drawing on her Caribbean heritage, her relationship to land, and a belief in co-creation as a design ethic. Through her architectural practice - Khôra and The Happitecture Podcast, she advances what she calls “architecture for happiness”—designing places that support personal fulfillment, social cohesion, and collective resilience. 

“Architecture is never just about buildings. It is more about people, stories, and the futures we choose to build together.” 

This year to celebrate Black History month, Emperor Zachary David Foxx, Emprex Karmella Barr and Health Initiative for Men are collaborating to put together a drag brunch fundraiser for Hogan’s Alley Society.  

With a star studded cast of fabulous Black performers they are guaranteeing to set this month of amplification OFF.

With performances by:

✊🏾Asstrix Banks✊🏾

✊🏾Cleopatra✊🏾

✊🏾Le$bean✊🏾

✊🏾Mx.Black Ice✊🏾

✊🏾Rainbow Glitz✊🏾

✊🏾Rich Elle✊🏾

This is a show that you will not want to miss!

Details:

19+

Saturday February 7,2026

📍Score on Davie📍

⏰ 12-2pm ⏰

🎭 Act 1-12:30🎭

🎭Act 2- 1:30🎭

This show is taking place on the unceded territories of the Musqueam,Squamish,Sto:lō and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Even though this is a month of amplification of Black people, the show is dedicated to continuing to uplift Indigenous communities by amplifying their causes or donating to specific causes with the Indigenous communities as a focus. With the help of Health Initiative for Men, this event will donate funds to Urban Native Youth Association.

The Harambee Alliance for Health, Wellness & Aging (HAHWAS), in collaboration with community leaders, researchers, clinicians, academic partners, and policymakers, is hosting a landmark event:

This one-day event brings together healthcare leaders, policymakers, researchers, community advocates, and elders for dialogue, learning, collaboration, and action. The expo features health exhibitors, free health screenings, interactive wellness activities, and culturally grounded engagement.

Explore innovative solutions, bold strategies, and lived stories that spark action and advance Black health across generations. From dynamic educational sessions to vibrant community gatherings, The Black Health and Aging Symposium 2026 is your opportunity to find your people, amplify your voice and make an impact.

• Keynote speakers

• Panels

• Workshops

• Community Conversations

• Network

• Health Expo

Enhanced Networking Opportunities

This is where collaboration begins. Build relationships, exchange knowledge, and connect with peers, leaders, and future partners, whether you are an emerging professional or an established expert.

Expanded Business Expo

Experience the iconic Black Health Expo, showcasing cutting-edge services, innovations, and opportunities to grow your career, business, or organisation. Celebrate excellence in Black healthcare and honour learning and connection to leaders who are shaping the future of our communities as we share a day of recognition and cultural pride.

Boots to Broadway is a Black History Month concert fundraiser presented by Hogan’s Alley Society and the Jr Black Achievement Awards Society, starring acclaimed actress, recording artist, and two-time Juno Award winner Lovena B. Fox.

Prepare to be blown away by a genre-spanning musical journey—from country and soul to rock ’n’ roll — the show pays tribute to legends such as Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Beyoncé, and Patsy Cline, alongside iconic selections from Porgy and Bess, Evita, Jersey Boys, Broadway favourites and much more!

In Boots to Broadway, Lovena’s powerful homecoming performance celebrates legacy, reclamation, and the return of Black brilliance to the very neighbourhood that shaped it. Lovena’s family history is deeply rooted in Hogan’s Alley—her father, musician and club owner Ernie King, and her mother, dancer and entertainer Choo Choo Williams, were central figures in the vibrant nightlife and cultural life of the area. Their Harlem Nocturne nightclub once stood as a gathering place for music, joy, and community.

Proceeds from the evening support Black-led youth empowerment, housing justice, and community programs through Hogan’s Alley Society and JrBAA.

Join us for this return to place, memory, and legacy — TICKETS ARE NOW LIVE!

Event Details
📅 Friday, February 6, 2026
🕡 DOORS OPEN 6:15PM, SHOW STARTS 7PM!
📍 The Cultch Historic Theatre, 1895 Venables Street

Thank you, CN and United Steelworkers, for supporting this event!

Join us at the Expo ‘86 at 40 Symposium to explore shared goals for this last undeveloped piece of Vancouver’s downtown.

Expo ‘86 at 40 is a half-day symposium that will convene landowners, community leaders, Hogan’s Alley Society, City representatives, academics, and Vancouver residents.

We’ll hear updates from the City of Vancouver about the Northeast False Creek Plan, and identify opportunities for working together to advance the Plan.

Left empty since Expo ‘86 ended, the Northeast False Creek Plan presents a generational opportunity to reconnect the Downtown core and fulfill reconciliation and redress goals. Hear from landowners, Planning Department staff, Hogan’s Alley Society, representatives from Chinatown, and more, about the opportunities to unlock the potential for this last undeveloped piece of Vancouver’s downtown.

Join us to:

• Hear from Josh White (General Manager of Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability at the City of Vancouver), Djaka Blais (Executive Director, Hogan’s Alley Society), Geoff Meggs (former City Councillor)

• Explore shared goals for Northeast False Creek that benefit all stakeholders

• Align visions from landowners and community groups with City objectives

• Identify practical steps and partnership opportunities to accelerate progress

Event Details

Date: Friday, January 23, 2026

Time: 9:30am-1:00pm

Location: SFU Harbour Centre

Community Land Trusts 101 is a virtual introduction to the history, principles, and values behind Community Land Trusts (CLTs)—community-owned land models designed to create long-term affordability, prevent displacement, and strengthen collective stewardship.

📅 Date: December 2
⏰ Time: 6 PM – 8 PM PST
📍 Location: Zoom (Virtual)

Rooted in movements led by Black and marginalized communities across North America, CLTs represent a proven, community-driven approach to securing affordable housing, protecting culture, and building belonging for generations to come.

In this session, Hogan’s Alley Society will introduce the purpose and vision of the HAS Community Land Trust (HASCLT) and how it supports Black self-determination, housing justice across Metro Vancouver, and the revitalization of Hogan’s Alley.

What to Expect:

• The origins of CLTs in Black liberation movements

• How CLTs create long-term affordability + community control

• Why CLTs matter for cultural preservation & anti-displacement

• Introduction to the HASCLT and how you can get involved

Join us as we learn, connect, and shape community-led solutions for a more secure future.

On October 14, 2025 (6–8PM, online), Hogan’s Alley Society invites community members to an introductory session on the future of the Hogan’s Alley Block.

This session will:

• Share the history and significance of Hogan’s Alley and the North False Creek Plan.

• Provide updates on the Memorandum of Understanding between Hogan’s Alley Society and the City of Vancouver.

• Reflect on outcomes from past engagement processes.

• Open space for discussion on what meaningful participation looks like, the supports needed, and how HAS can make engagement more accessible moving forward.
  
  Together, we’ll lay the groundwork for deeper conversations in the months ahead.

This special evening will showcase the work of celebrated artist Norm Shearing, with limited-edition prints and exclusive original pieces available for guests.

Framed by the energy of dance, the event will bring together art, movement, and community in a vibrant atmosphere of connection and celebration.

Your Ticket Includes:

• Admission for two guests

• One limited-edition print of your choice to take home

• Exclusive opportunity to purchase additional limited-edition prints and original works by Norm Shearing

Artist Statement – Norm Shearing

I’ve been painting on and off for about twenty years, driven by a fascination with the human condition—how we move through the world, how we relate to one another, and what we choose to reveal or hide. Recently, I’ve been exploring dance as a way to examine these themes: connection, performance, and the desire to be seen.

This new series focuses on five types of dance, with figures shown both solo and sharing space. This contrast creates a kind of tension—sometimes playful, sometimes intense—between the dancers. I use a bright color palette to capture the energy and emotion of the moment.

Some of the pieces are small collages that break motion down, almost like watching someone move under a strobe light—fragmented, fast, a bit chaotic. Others use big, flowing lines to echo the rhythm and grace of the dancers.

For me, it’s about capturing the feeling of motion and the stories that can come from just a gesture or a shared moment on the canvas.

Main & Union is a Black-led, community-rooted housing and cultural redevelopment project located at 796 Main Street — the former site of Vie’s Chicken and Steaks and a key landmark in Vancouver’s historic Hogan’s Alley.

This development represents a powerful step in reclaiming Black space, stewarding cultural memory, and investing in long-term futures where Black communities are resourced, visible, and at home. Through a mix of affordable housing, cultural programming, and intentional design, Main & Union is being shaped by decades of community advocacy and the lived experiences of Hogan’s Alley descendants and Black residents across the Lower Mainland.

This initiative is led by Hogan’s Alley Society, and developed in collaboration with CPA Development, Studio One Architecture, and Kirk & Co. Together, we are committed to building a legacy of care, resilience, and community sovereignty through this transformative project.

Main & Union is a Black-led, community-rooted housing and cultural redevelopment project located at 796 Main Street — the former site of Vie’s Chicken and Steaks and a key landmark in Vancouver’s historic Hogan’s Alley.

This development represents a powerful step in reclaiming Black space, stewarding cultural memory, and investing in long-term futures where Black communities are resourced, visible, and at home. Through a mix of affordable housing, cultural programming, and intentional design, Main & Union is being shaped by decades of community advocacy and the lived experiences of Hogan’s Alley descendants and Black residents across the Lower Mainland.

This initiative is led by Hogan’s Alley Society, and developed in collaboration with CPA Development, Studio One Architecture, and Kirk & Co. Together, we are committed to building a legacy of care, resilience, and community sovereignty through this transformative project.

Light refreshments will be served.

Please note: Paid parking is available at the museum; limited free residential parking is available in the surrounding area.

Main & Union is a Black-led, community-rooted housing and cultural redevelopment project located at 796 Main Street — the former site of Vie’s Chicken and Steaks and a key landmark in Vancouver’s historic Hogan’s Alley.

This development represents a powerful step in reclaiming Black space, stewarding cultural memory, and investing in long-term futures where Black communities are resourced, visible, and at home. Through a mix of affordable housing, cultural programming, and intentional design, Main & Union is being shaped by decades of community advocacy and the lived experiences of Hogan’s Alley descendants and Black residents across the Lower Mainland.

This initiative is led by Hogan’s Alley Society, and developed in collaboration with CPA Development, Studio One Architecture, and Kirk & Co. Together, we are committed to building a legacy of care, resilience, and community sovereignty through this transformative project.

Light refreshments will be served.

Please note: Paid parking is available at the museum; limited free residential parking is available in the surrounding area.

Main & Union is a Black-led, community-rooted housing and cultural redevelopment project located at 796 Main Street — the former site of Vie’s Chicken and Steaks and a key landmark in Vancouver’s historic Hogan’s Alley.

This development represents a powerful step in reclaiming Black space, stewarding cultural memory, and investing in long-term futures where Black communities are resourced, visible, and at home. Through a mix of affordable housing, cultural programming, and intentional design, Main & Union is being shaped by decades of community advocacy and the lived experiences of Hogan’s Alley descendants and Black residents across the Lower Mainland.

This initiative is led by Hogan’s Alley Society, and developed in collaboration with CPA Development, Studio One Architecture, and Kirk & Co. Together, we are committed to building a legacy of care, resilience, and community sovereignty through this transformative project.

Light refreshments will be served.

Please note: Limited paid street parking is available near the Black Arts Centre. Additional parking can be found at the Safeway back lot or the City Hall underground parkade.

The launch of this Housing Solutions Lab is part of a broader movement for housing justice—one that honours the past and builds toward a future daylighting a historical context: it seeks to confront structural inequities in housing systems and contribute to solutions rooted in racial justice, community leadership, and systemic change. On Juneteenth, a day of reflection and commitment, we affirm that equitable housing is not just a policy goal—it is a necessary part of Black liberation in Canada.

The HSL research project was designed to address a critical question:
What does a just and equitable housing future look like for Black communities in Metro Vancouver?

Meet the Researchers:
→ Quantitative Research: Dr. Nemoy Lewis & Dimitri Panou
→ Qualitative Research: Dr. Marie Cecile Kotyk & Modupe Bankole-Longe

Our final reports explore that future in detail, combining data-driven analysis and lived experience to show how we get there.

Black Canadian Healthcare Professionals Association presents: Healthcare Excellence Gala

✨ A Black-Tie Affair✨

Dress in your finest formal attire and make a statement on the red carpet.

🍽 Elegant Dining – Enjoy a three-course meal paired with a refreshment.

🎶 Live Music & Entertainment – A night of music, energy, and celebration.

🏆 Awards Presentation – Applaud the outstanding achievements of healthcare leaders making a difference.

🤝 Networking – Connect with influential healthcare professionals, advocates, and industry leaders.

Celebrate, Connect, and Inspire: Be part of this unforgettable evening as we honor those leading the charge for a more diverse and equitable healthcare system. Raise a glass to their impact and join us in shaping a healthier future for all.

Discounted ticket sales of CAD$ 81 until March 29th. Tickets will be $135 from March 30th, 2025.

The Black Experiences with Planning in Canada (BEPIC) is a three year (2022-2025) research partnership dedicated to learning from the lived experiences of Black communities and planners.

We are reaching out to individuals over the age of 18 who identify as any of the following:

• a Black planning professional

• a Black individual engaged in planning work

• a volunteer or staff (Black or non-Black) of a Black-led organization engaged in planning work

• or a non-Black planner working with, for, and/or in historically or predominantly Black communities or in communities with a strong Black presence

to join us for a presentation and a social mixer on Tuesday, 15th of April, 7-9 pm at 312 Main Street, Reach Room (Ground Floor), Vancouver. RSVP by Monday April 14 at 5:00 p.m. to secure your spot and be part of this exciting evening! Click here to register.

🌴✨ Get ready for a vibrant celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture! Join us for an unforgettable evening of spectacular dance performances, soul-stirring music, and cultural enlightenment featuring Dr. June Francis. Bring the whole family for an evening filled with rhythm, joy, and community spirit! 🎵💃

📅 Saturday, April 12, 2025

⏰ 5:00PM - 9:00PM

📍 7502 2nd Street, Burnaby, BC

Family-friendly event with delicious food, amazing performances, and enriching cultural experiences! Secure your spot now!

Welcome to Holistic Healing Through Art Therapy for Seniors of African Descent.

Come join us for a day of relaxation and self-discovery through art therapy. This event offers a unique opportunity to explore your inner self and promote healing through artistic expression. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, this workshop is designed to help you tap into your creativity and find peace through art. Don't miss out on this chance to connect with others and embark on a journey of holistic healing. We can't wait to see you there!

This event will feature powerful performances from poets and musicians, interactive learning circles, and an engaging panel discussion highlighting Black disability justice and activism. Come connect, learn, and celebrate with us—plus, enjoy free food!

Can’t make it in person? Sign up for our online session and join us via Zoom!

Don’t miss this opportunity to honor Black disability histories and build community!