Dismantling Anti-Black Racism in Newmarket

Central York Fire Services, the department which serves Newmarket and Aurora residents has partnered with the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) for its first Career Day to provide information, expert resources and create connections for those considering exploring a career in fire services.

On Saturday, October 21 the full-day information session offers parents, students or those considering a career shift to fire services an opportunity to meet people in the industry, learn about the various roles in fire services and discover training options and career paths.

Registration is required as space is limited. Click to register today!

The Town of Newmarket is in the process of hiring its first dedicated Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Specialist. This new recruit will be tasked with leading the implementation of the Town’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan and Dismantling Anti-Black Racism (DABR) Implementation Plan to ensure our employee programs and practices, from recruitment and selection to performance reviews and promotions, are equitable and inclusive.

Applications due by October 26. Learn more here.

Town staff finalized a work plan to implement the Action Plan to Dismantle Anti-Black Racism (DABR) spanning the next two years. The plan outlines deliverables for the Town to take to dismantle anti-Black racism and remove barriers Black individuals face in Newmarket.

In January, EMPOWER Strategy Group presented a multi-year action plan to dismantle Anti-Black Racism in the community. The action plan stems from a report by the Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Task Force (Task Force) that was delivered to Council in December 2021.

As part of the implementation plan, a DABR Advisory Committee will be established, which will be an external body composed of members who will provide input and support the Town in delivering items from the Action Plan.

The Town recognizes and thanks the members of the volunteer Task Force for dedicating countless hours to research, critical conversations, and significant community engagement.

Read the Staff Report to learn more about the implementation plan.

There’s still time to get involved! EMpower Strategy Group is hosting a Town Hall for the Black community to provide feedback on the draft plan to dismantle Anti-Black Racism.

Date: Thursday, November 3

Time: 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Location: In person at Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall (200 Doug Duncan Drive) or online by registering in advance at https://bit.ly/3VY3NPH
RSVP: empowerstrategygroup2@gmail.com

The Town of Newmarket contracted EMPOWER Strategy Group to dialogue with community partners, including the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA), in order to support the Town’s efforts to dismantle Anti-Black Racism. EMPOWER Strategy Group has created their draft action plan and invites the community and stakeholders to review and provide feedback by November 7. Participants can enter into a draw to win gift certificates from local Black-owned businesses by sharing feedback in a survey.

“I want Newmarket to be a place where everyone is welcome and where everyone’s contributions are valued,” says Newmarket Mayor John Taylor. “The work that the Town is doing to dismantle Anti-Black Racism is about making Newmarket more equitable and inclusive. We recognize that there is still a lot of work to do to dismantle Anti-Black Racism. We are committed to continuing to work with NACCA, our partner and the community to take real action and achieve tangible results.”

Community and stakeholder engagement will continue to help shape the draft action plan and further define priorities. Following consultation, a staff report will go to Council for consideration. The Town will conduct an annual review to monitor progress.

The action plan stems from the report by the Town’s Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Task Force (Task Force). The Task Force works to amplify voices from the Black community and is responsible for making recommendations to Council that focus on racial equity opportunities, and on issues or activities that impact the Black community. It is with immense gratitude that the Town recognizes members of the Task Force who volunteer their time and helped to launch this significant work.

The Town would also like to thank NACCA for driving the conversation and helping find solutions to dismantle Anti-Black Racism.

Complete this survey to provide comments and feedback.

This summer, the Town of Newmarket is working with EMPOWER Strategy Group to create a multi-year action plan stemming from the report by the Town’s Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Task Force (Task Force). The community-led Task Force was headed by Jerisha Grant-Hall, the Chair of the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA).

The Town recognizes and thanks the members of the volunteer task force for dedicating countless hours to research, critical conversations and significant community engagement that culminated in the over 100 recommendations presented to Council. Through EMPOWER Strategy Group, the Town is re-engaging the Black community to have a voice in the Action Plan that will guide the Town in dismantling Anti-Black Racism.

“As a Town, we must commit to acting against Anti-Black Racism to ensure that all people in our community feel welcome and safe,” says Newmarket Mayor John Taylor. “Newmarket should strive to be one of the most inclusive communities in Canada, but that will not happen without hard work and action – this work is an important step on that journey.”

To assist the Town in taking positive steps towards creating a more equitable, diverse and inclusive community, the consulting team will be working closely with the Black community, Town staff and various stakeholders to ensure all voices are heard.

"I am pleased to collaborate with the Black community and the Town of Newmarket in developing a comprehensive action plan to dismantle Anti-Black Racism in the town,” says Evelyn Myrie, CEO and Founder, EMPOWER Strategy Group. “My team is working with the Town's departments, partner agencies and institutions and Black residents of Newmarket to draft the plan. The multi-year plan will seek to make Newmarket a place where people feel they belong."

On behalf of the Town, EMPOWER Strategy Group will facilitate a virtual Town Hall on August 4 (6:30 – 8:30 p.m.) and an in-person Town Hall meeting on August 8 (6:30 – 8:30 p.m.) at the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) Community Centre (449 Eagle St.). Residents in the Black community are encouraged to join the Town Hall events to provide their input into the proposed Action Plan. For those interested in participating, please go to heynewmarket.ca/dabr for complete details and to RSVP.

The Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Task Force was created in 2020 to support the Town’s existing work in this area, amplify voices from the Black community, make recommendations on racial equity opportunities in Newmarket and address issues and activities that impact the Black community. In December 2021, the Task Force presented a report to Newmarket Council, including over 100 recommendations.

The Action Plan is expected to be presented to Newmarket Council in September and will include suggested approaches to close identified gaps, barriers, and threats to equity, diversity and inclusion so the Town can work towards dismantling Anti-Black Racism.

For further information and ways to get involved, please visit heynewmarket.ca/dabr or contact empowerstrategygroup2@gmail.com.