This is an appeal to all our members, supporters, and community advocates who acknowledge the importance of passing on our history, culture, and heritage to future generations of Africans in the diaspora.

ACHA's AGM will be held on Saturday, 22 February. Your presence is necessary to ensure we continue to work on behalf of the children and families in our community. Members must be in good standing to vote.

PRACTICING THE PRINCIPLE OF UJAMAA

SANKOFA~  A journey in applying and implementing the principle of UJAMAA to ourselves.

Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove in 1867, was an African American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and social activist. She became known as the first female self-made millionaire in America through her successful line of beauty and haircare products tailored for Black women. After experiencing personal struggles and witnessing the challenges faced by her community, she developed a range of formulas that transformed the haircare industry. Walker established a vast network of sales agents, empowering women and promoting economic independence. Beyond her business achievements, she was dedicated to philanthropy, advocating for civil rights and educational opportunities for African Americans. Walker's legacy endures as a symbol of resilience and empowerment in the face of adversity.

"Words are sweet but they cannot take the place of food" African Proverb

ACHA continues its focus on the principle of UJAMAA by connecting it to our health and wellness and with some much-needed levity. Join us in the spirit of KUUMBA (creativity), and bring along your favorite pumpkin dish for a show and share. We’ll be digging (pun intended) into the many health benefits of this affordable nutritional staple.

‘The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.’ – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy is often remembered primarily for his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech and his advocacy for nonviolent protest during the Civil Rights Movement. However, his vision extended well beyond these elements. His opposition to the Vietnam War exemplified his broader commitment to global justice and peace, challenging the injustices of militarism that disproportionately affected people of color both in the U.S. and abroad. King's activism in his later years, particularly through the Poor People's Campaign, highlighted his profound understanding of the interconnectedness of racial and economic justice. This initiative was revolutionary in its effort to unify a diverse coalition of impoverished Americans to collectively fight for equitable economic opportunities and living conditions. Moreover, King's exploration of economic models and his critiques of capitalism and materialism reflect his deep-rooted belief in a more equitable economic system. His engagement with these ideas shows a nuanced understanding of the structural barriers to equality, advocating for a society where wealth and resources are shared more justly. One fascinating aspect of his journey was his evolving relationship with Malcolm X. Despite their differing views, the planned meeting between King and Malcolm X suggested a potential for a powerful alliance that could have further united various factions within the civil rights movement. Understanding these dimensions of Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophy enriches our appreciation of his comprehensive approach to social justice. It's crucial to recognize the depth of his commitment not only to racial equality but to addressing the root causes of inequality and envisioning a world of true peace and justice.

The [Kwanzaa] holiday, then will of necessity, be engaged as an ancient and living cultural tradition which reflects the best of African thought and practice in its reaffirmation of the dignity of the human person in community and culture, the well-being of family and community, the integrity of the environment and our kinship with it, and the rich resource and meaning of a people's culture.

We're getting ready for our KWANZAA celebration on December 7, 2024. This preparation includes finalizing the event details, practicing for presentations, and planning creative activities. It's not too late to join in. This is a great opportunity to engage in a community event that promotes shared awareness

UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLE OF “UJAMAA”

In this session we look at our past entrepreneurial accomplishments as a means of empowering ourselves to create better outcomes for future generations.

2024 -2025 Theme: SANKOFA JOURNEY TO “UJAMAA” (Coorperative Economics)

The gift to our children that lasts a lifetime!

Join us as we embark on this exciting cultural heritage journey together! Each Africentric session consists of its own bi-weekly theme, so that your child has something new to anticipate with each coming week.

If you have children that fall into the age groups of 5-12 and 12 -18, it’s well worth taking a look at our hands-on activities, which are designed to keep your child engaged, while creating a safe space for parents and elders in the community to connect and share our history and common issues affecting African Canadian families.

ACHA in the Park

Saturday September 14, 1.00 - 5.30pm

Thompson Memorial Park, Area D.

1005 Brimley Rd, Scarborough, ON M1P 4C6

All are welcome to this family friendly event.

Music, Drumming, Games, Performances, Children activities, Refreshments and so much more.

"Education is useless if you cannot relate it to your immediate environment." Dr. Amos Wilson

End of year celebration with games and  awards. Bring your favourite dish to share with everyone 

Bring your business to share with us as we introduce the upcoming ACHA year focus of UJAMAA using our Sankofa lens and our "Conversations with our ACHA Elders" video series.

We return to John Buchan School in September 2024

Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children. ~ Kenyan Proverb

We Close out Earth Month with a presentation by Aisha Buchner. She will focus on how our everyday activities impact the environment and practical changes we can make to ensure a livable planet for future generations.

The Presentation:

Giving a background on greenhouse gasses, their effects and the everyday activities that contribute to them being emitted into the atmosphere. also identifying green alternatives for ex. Riding a bike or taking public transportation more often. 

Explaining that in North America and in Toronto specifically we do not feel the effects of global warming that much due to the fact that we are near the Great Lakes. However, this does not mean that other countries especially in the South are not affected. 

Everyday activities we participate in the North or the more “Developed” Countries have severe impacts and lead to extreme weather conditions, ex drought, floods, storms etc. The countries most affected are often times the least able to protect themselves and recover. And lastly, speaking to some of the consequences faced by ecosystems for example, coral reef bleaching and loss of habitat. 

Understanding The Impact of Human Activities On Nature.

We close out Earth Month on this collaboration with BE Initiative, knowing that the work of sustaining our planet requires us all to play our part now and into the future.

Building on our previous discussion about how nature thrives under the right conditions, this session will delve into the potential consequences of disrupting the four factors crucial for life.

We'll explore the history of human activities that have had a significant negative impact on the environment, leading up to the present day. In addition to incorporating Harambee, as we did in our last workshop, we will introduce Ohanife, an African concept highlighting the critical relationship between humans and the natural world, emphasizing social cohesion.

Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children. ~ Kenyan Proverb

INDABA MOMENT ACTIVITIES

Examining some of the lessons  that inform,inspire ,influence and motivate us about 'Sustainable Living"  from:

•  Ancient Kemet

• Africa Today

• Noted Black Environmentalist

Using our tools,(The Nguzo Saba, Maat) to creatively design an Action Plan (intergenerational)

As Earth Month approaches, we are excited to present this workshop in collaboration with BE Initiative.

This fun interactive workshop will focus on the building blocks of life on our planet. Using their extensive knowledge in this field the BEI presenters will make the connection as to why our community should be leading the effort of sustaining our environment for the benefit of future generations.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM OUR ANCESTORS ABOUT HEALTH AND WELLNESS?

Attending to Mind ,Body, and Soul in all we do.

We will be looking at the impact of our recent history on the mental, physical and spiritual conditions facing the global Afrikan community today, the lessons we can learn from our ancestors and the importance of focusing on our health and well being as a means of sustaining our movements going forward.

Indaba activities

• OVERVIEW OF HEALTH AND NUTRITION

• EXPLORING THE AFRICAN FOOD GUIDE

• TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE POWER

• INTERACTIVE  fOOD EXPERIENCE

Our intro to Black History Month will be attended by MP Gary Anandasangaree, to profile ACHA’s contribution to the community.

“When I started, I had to write programs for computers—I had never seen a computer before in my life except in science fiction movies. I made a decision that I was going to learn everything I could about computers, inside and out”

Valerie Thomas, NASA Scientist, Inventor

A Journey examining the achievements of our Scientist and Inventors to understand the principle of IMANI.

“When we say that the ancestors of the Blacks, who today live mainly in Black Africa, were the first to invent mathematics, astronomy, the calendar, sciences in general arts, religion, agriculture, social organization, medicine, writing, technique, architecture; [...] when we say all that we are merely expressing the plain unvarnished truth that no one today can refute by arguments worthy of the name.”

Cheikh Anta Diop

“As a man, I undertake to risk annihilation so that two or three truths can cast their essential light on the world.”
― Frantz Fanon,

As we enter black history month, we explore who we are and we honour those who inspire us.

INDABA MOMENT ACTIVITY

CREATIVE SHOW AND SHARE

I AM....CHOOSE AN ANCESTOR, CREATE A COLLAGE TO REPRESENT THE LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM THE , THEN  SHARE THE LESSONS 

THEME: SANKOFA~OUR JOURNEY TO IMANI

A Journey examining Lessons learned from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to help us understand the principle of IMANI.

“The difference between a dreamer and a visionary is that a dreamer has his eyes closed and a visionary has his eyes open.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

INDABA MOMENT ACTIVITY

Choosing some key moments in Dr. Martin Luther King's life as well as his words to extract the lessons and messages that they taught us

John Buchan Senior Public School

2450 Birchmount Rd, Scarborough, ON 

IMANI

The seventh principle is Imani (Faith) which is essentially a profound and enduring belief in and commitment to all that is of value to us as a family, community, people and culture. Faith is put forth as the last principle as unity is put forth as the first principle for a definite reason. It is to indicate that without unity, we cannot begin our most important work, but without faith we cannot sustain it. Unity brings us together and harnesses our strength, but faith in each other and the Good, the Right, the Beautiful inspires and sustains the coming together and the commitment to take the work to its end.

“Afrikans must become the primary definers of their own ethnicity and determiners of their own self-perception, character and behavior. This means that Afrikans must develop a robust and wholesome ethnocentrism.”  Amos Wilson

We will continue the build up to our KWANZAA celebration on December 9 2023. This preparation will include finalizing the event format, drumming practise , movement and creative activity. It’s never too late to step in. This is a great way to get involved in a community event that’s focused on building a common consciousness.

When contemporary black families abandon the positive ancestral legacy wherein the cultivation of spiritual practice was a necessary component of self development, they were and are deprived of a primary foundation for the construction of heathy self-esteem”. Bell Hooks

This session will be the first in the build up to our Kwanzaa celebration on December 9 2023 This preparation will include drumming, movement, art and so much more. Join Us!! It’s not too late to step in, you can be a part of this meaningful community event

Let’s USE OUR CREATIVITY to remember our ANCESTORS

“We honour our ancestors, enrich our lives, and give promise to our descendants. Moreover, through this historic work and struggle we strive to always know and introduce ourselves to history and humanity as a people who are spiritually and ethically grounded”. Maulana Karenga

(A day to remember the Maafa and to freely and openly give voice to and grievethe trauma of the Maafa and its continued after-effects. )

The MAAFAAdapted from:  http://www.remembertheancestors.com

Meaning of the word Maafa:   The Maafa is a Kiswahili term for “terrible occurrence” or “great disaster”. It refers to the African Holocaust when millions of African people died making the journey of captivity from the interior of Africa to the shores of America, known as the Middle Passage.

Why it is important to REMEMBER:  When we commemorate our ancestors, we understand our conditions better, realize our strengths, and determine solutions for our collective future. These activities help us commemorate and honor the struggle of our ancestors, the continuing struggle of our people worldwide, and encourage and support the hope that is ours. Our ancestors already paid for us, and they provide clues, keys, and instructions for our survival as well as our restoration in the many ways they speak in words and signs and symbols. They suffered for us, lived and died for us, because they loved us so. Let us now love ourselves enough to restore and repair ourselves, to continue to build a brighter future for those who will come after us.

Activity: Nakumbuka Libation, Design symbol with Egyptian Lotus, write a poem or song to an ancestor, creative art work around writing,, Black war veterans video

Supplies: Paper, crayons, lotus template, videos

“A group or culture that shares a common consciousness empowers both itself and its individual members”. Amos N. Wilson

 IMANI: “To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teacher, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle”. Today’s activities will focus attention on the role IMANI plays in our everyday lives, and how we can use this principle to create the future we envision for ourselves.

WE ARE EXCITED TO INTRODUCE OUR DRUM WORKSHOP FOR ALL AGES THIS WEEK, THESE SESSIONS WILL BE LED BY ONE OF ACHA’s ALUMNI.

Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They’re what make the instrument stretch — what make you go beyond the norm.

– Cicely Tyson, actress and fashion model

ACHA Programming for 10/28/2023
Today at ACHA, we have an exciting lineup of programming, games, and interactive activities aimed at bringing us together for this shared experience.

We must self-consciously become and be fathers, mothers, midwives and mentors who constantly give birth to good in the world and who sustain and increase it in the interest of the people and the well-being of the world.

— Maulana Karenga

Attention parents and guardians!

We are thrilled to invite you to register your child for ACHA's highly anticipated in-person programming at the John Buchan Senior Public School. Our engaging and interactive curriculum is carefully designed to foster hands-on learning, encouraging your child's growth, development, and curiosity. Don't let this extraordinary opportunity slip away! Enroll your child today and witness firsthand how ACHA empowers young minds to thrive and flourish. Join us as we embark on an exciting educational journey together!

If you have children that fall into the age groups of 5-12 and 12 -18, it’s well worth taking a look at our hands-on activities, which are designed to keep your child engaged, while creating a safe space for parents and elders in the community to connect and share our history and common issues affecting African Canadian families.

The ACHA journey

THIS IS US

Kicking off this year of IMANI (faith), by connecting with each other in harmony with the changes of the season.

Gathering @ 10.00, Hike starts @ 10.30. Farm visit after hike (optional)

Commune with us at ACHA,s Annual Thanksgiving Weekend Hike. This year we return to Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area. Reservations are recommended, Come dressed for the weather, with walking shoes, water and snacks.

LETS RE-CONNECT

COME CELEBRATE COMMUNITY WITH US

A free in person interactive event celebrating community, alumni, members and supporters

Fun activities for all ages with a focus on Afrofuturism, culminating in our ACHA community feast and unity dance. Be sure to register on the Eventbrite link below