The African Canadian Heritage Association (ACHA)also known as The Black Heritage Programme (BHP) has been providing African Heritage, family based programming on an inter-generational basis since 1969. This volunteer driven program has survived various changes in response to the technological, social and community shifts over the years. We feel the 'secret' of ACHA's longevity is the strong parental involvement, the communal breaking of bread, and the concept of Ubuntu – “I am because we are”. The initial important seed planted 50 years ago by our founding parents, was for our children to understand their African history and self in the diaspora and Africa. This pride in self was and continues to be, a great resource providing our children with an inner cultural understanding, elevated self esteem and pride in our African roots. This cultural nourishment is linked to the society and community in which we live, creating the bridge for children, youth and parents to see our cultural and historical place in the diaspora using an Africentric focus and lens. Over the years, ACHA alumni have made contributions to Canadian society and beyond in various areas, including education, science, business, politics and the arts. One of our alumni has been invited to be the Keynote Speaker at the Milestone Gala event"THE ACHA JOURNEY: “Looking Back, Moving Forward”, to be held May 19th, 2019 at Centennial College Event Centre. The Keynote speaker, will connect the Past and Present to the Future providing their perspectives on the concept of the ACHA program and the value it brings to our children.
ACHA is a 50 year self- sustaining, living model of the principle of UJAMAA or Cooperative Economics. We are a 100% volunteer and parent driven program.
All proceeds from our fundraising events are directed back into programming and maintaining the viability of the organization. You can support ACHA’s by attending our events, volunteering to share your gifts and talents to benefit the larger community.
ACHA Alumni
Aisha Wickham
Aisha’s career has been focused on developing and promoting Canada’s music industry. She is currently a Program Consultant for the Ontario Music Office at Ontario Creates (formerly known as the Ontario Media Development Corporation).
Aisha was part of the management team that launched Canada’s first Black-owned radio station, FLOW 93.5. She has also worked in senior management positions with G98.7 FM, Nia Centre for the Arts, and the Urban Music Association of Canada, and ran her own communications consulting practice, ngoma productions, for a number of years.
Awards that Aisha has received include the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment Award for Behind the Scenes Executive of the Year and the Harry Jerome Award for leadership
Dr Chike jeffers
Born in 1982 to Francis and Denise Jeffers, I grew up going to ACHA and stayed involved with the program until the early 2000s. I graduated from York University in 2004 and moved to Chicago to pursue my Ph.D at Northwestern University in Philosophy. I received my Ph.D in 2010, the same year I moved to Halifax, where I am now an associate professor in the Department of Philosophy at Dalhousie University.
Emily Mills
Emily Mills is the founder of How She Hustles, a network that connects diverse women through social media and special events. She is a sought-after public speaker and former senior communications officer at CBC. Emily created HERstory in Black, a digital photo series featuring 150 inspiring black women. The project earned national media coverage, the CBC President’s Award and attention from the Prime Minister. She holds journalism and music degrees, and has studied public relations.
Warren Salmon, BSc.,Ph.D (honoris causa)
President, Black Board International, First Fridays & The Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators. After graduating from Ryerson with a degree in Computer Science, he continued his education at UBC and York University. He founded Black Board International, a culturally inclusive software company and First Fridays, a monthly business and community networking event.
Thando Hyman
Principal, Chief Dan George P.S.(TDSB)
B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed.
Thando Hyman’s dynamic leadership and innovative school practices has been recognized by community, national and international media.
Her professional career includes over 20 years of administrative experience in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) as Principal, instructional leader, and Literacy Convener. She was the first Principal of Toronto’s ground breaking Africentric Alternative School, served as as Lead Principal for 22 TDSB schools and was Course Director and Adjunct Professor at York University's Faculty of Education.
Ms. Hyman’s extensive community work includes host of "AWAF Roundtable" on 89.5 CIUT FM radio, founding board member of the African-Canadian Legal Clinic and past chair of African Heritage Educators Network and Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention.
She is a graduate of the African Canadian Heritage Association (ACHA), and is currently an active parent member.
Louis March
For over 30 years Louis March has volunteered in the African Canadian community. focusing on social justice and youth advocacy in organizations including Young and Potential Fathers, the Underground Freedom Train committee and Black Students Union, George Brown College. Louis has volunteered over 20 years with the African Canadian Heritage Association board. Having previously worked in the Financial Services industry, Louis recently graduated from Ryerson University in the Public Administration and Governance program. Louis founded the Zero Gun Violence Movement (ZGVM), a collaboration of 40 plus GTA organizations, agencies and programs, addressing structural and socio-economic conditions contributing to gun violence.
Lequanne Collins-Bacchus
Lequanne Collins-Bacchus, 2009.
She is an advocate of digital government; Lequanne has advised as a Policy Analyst for the Ontario Digital Service on the first Data Strategy for the Province and is a national Code for Canada fellow. She is concurrently pursuing graduate and professional studies at Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in techno-economics and data. She is the founder of Ryerson-incubated technology consultancy, digital publica, serving--among other international clients--the City of Toronto, Mozilla, Toronto Public Library, Toronto Media Arts Centre, and Sketch at Artscape Youngplace. She splits her time between various cities in North America and Europe.