'This year, everything shifted': Black Cultural Society of P.E.I. takes big step

In a year where things have happened both agonizingly slowly and shockingly quickly, a combination of those brought the Black Cultural Society of P.E.I. to a major announcement Wednesday morning.

The organization is becoming a non-profit organization, with a full-time executive director and permanent office space, after years of being a co-operative run by volunteers.

"All of us, with our other projects and our other jobs and families, it was getting just too much for us to be volunteering as much time as we needed to really be a supportive organization for the community," said society president Tamara Steele.

"We just really acknowledged that we needed … to be able to give our full-time attention to this work, it's becoming more and more important to us every day."

As part of the transition, Steele has resigned as president and will start in January as executive director, a paid position.

"This will be my job now, " she said. 

Steele said the change is part of a strategic planning process that was supposed to start this past March. That was delayed by the pandemic, and then delayed again by Black Lives Matter events in June. Those events brought national recognition for Steele.

Province offers funding, space

When the strategic planning process started up again, momentum developed quickly. The P.E.I. government stepped up with some operational funding and office space in the Atlantic Technology Centre in downtown Charlottetown.

The organization is thrilled with the space and Steele said the support is a good sign.

"It says they're ready and they're willing to start making the changes that need to be made to engage the community and support the community and ensure that the Black community has what they need to thrive here," she said.

The office includes a presentation space that can be used for community events such as movie nights, community gatherings and community meetings.

There is also a recording studio that the society will use for a podcast. It could also rent out that studio to other podcasters or small musical groups.

Steele said strategic planning for the society will continue into the new year. The society hopes to eventually get charitable status, which will open new avenues for funding and partnerships, she said.

They've also launched a new website.

Steel said the move will allow the society to better communicate with and support P.E.I.'s Black community.

"This organization is going to be one of the key pieces that helps the Black community to thrive here."

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.

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