Artwork by Yaimel Lopez Zaldivar

Addressing and redressing anti-Black racism

Review the Anti-Black Racism and Cultural Redress Framework and 2026-2027 Action Plan (8.2 MB)

In May 2026, we released the Anti-Black Racism and Cultural Redress Framework and Action Plan (ABRCR).

The framework and action plan acknowledges the historical and ongoing harms of anti-Black racism. It outlines 13 actions from 2026 to 2027 to address anti-Black racism and support long-term change and cultural redress across:

City policies
Program development
Public space planning
Community collaboration

For more background, review the Council memo (472 KB) from April 2026.

Black History Month and Emancipation Day proclamations

Black History Month

Each February, since 2011, the mayor has issued a proclamation recognizing and celebrating Black History Month.

Black History Month proclamation (468 KB)

Emancipation Day

Each August, the mayor officially recognizes August 1 as Emancipation Day.

Emancipation Day proclamation (471 KB)

Work to date
We acknowledge that while progress has been made, significant work is still needed to make meaningful change.
- 2017: We held a 3-day workshop with Hogan’s Alley Working Group (5.8 MB).
- 2018: City Manager released an anti-Black Racism statement to City staff (144 KB).
- 2019: We supported research on anti-Black racism in Vancouver resulting in the reports: Towards a Healthy City: Addressing Anti-Black Racism in Vancouver (UBC Healthy City Scholars) and Anti-Black Racism Community Recommendations (343 KB).
- 2020: We hosted an anti-Black racism town hall .
- 2022:
  - We formed an Anti-Black Racism and Cultural Redress Community Advisory Committee and an Internal Staff Working Group.
  - Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Hogan’s Alley Society to deliver housing, public benefits, and amenities on the 898 Main Street block – formerly home to Vancouver's largest Black and African diaspora community
  - Council approved the Addressing Anti-Black Racism and Historic Discrimination: Interim Report (377 KB), outlining 4 priority areas and 23 initial actions identified through engagement with the Community Advisory Committee, Internal Staff Working Group, and members of Vancouver’s Black and African diaspora communities.
- 2023: We launched a 3-year Social Innovation Project Grants pilot (2023 to 2025) to strengthen Black-led and Black-serving organizations in Vancouver. Over this period, $325,369 was awarded to support capacity-building efforts for 25 projects.
- 2024: We commissioned a Black academic research team to develop narratives of the experiences of Black and African diaspora communities in Vancouver.
- 2025:
  - In partnership with Ethos Lab, we constructed a pilot plaza at 3rd and Main Street that continues to serve community with programming, events, greenspace, and opportunities for community gathering.We continued to advance Council motions on anti-Black racism and historic discrimination including consultation with the Advisory Committee and Internal Staff Working Group on the development of a renewed action plan.
- 2026: We released the Anti-Black Racism Framework and 2026-2027 Action Plan. Review the April 2026 Council memo: Anti-Racism Framework & Action Plan (ARAP) RTS 13927 (2026-04-27) (733 KB)
2022 interim report and framework background
The ABRCR was developed in response to Council direction following the 2022 Interim Report (377 KB) to address the historical and ongoing impacts of anti-Black racism in Vancouver.

Anti-Black racism has persisted throughout Vancouver’s history and across Canada. It has contributed to barriers for Black and African diaspora communities, including:
- Education
- Income
- Health
- Intergenerational wealth
- Overall wellbeing
Resources related to the 2022 Addressing Anti-Black Racism and Historic Discrimination: Interim Report presentation
- Watch our video on Addressing anti-Black racism: Priorities for the City of Vancouver
- Review the full ‘Addressing Anti-Black Racism and Historic Discrimination Interim Report’ (377 KB)
- Review the 2022 Interim Report Staff Presentation (2 MB)
- Watch the September 27, 2022 Council meeting where the interim report was passed unanimously by Council

About the City’s anti-Black racism artwork

In 2025, we commissioned graphic artist Yaimel López Zaldívar to produce original artwork as a visual companion to our Anti-Black Racism and Cultural Redress Framework and ongoing priority initiatives.

Yaimel López Zaldívar is a Vancouver-based graphic artist whose bold, vibrant designs explore identity and culture.

Review artwork in more detail (836 KB)

Artist's statement

This design is a tribute to the optimism, pride, and faith in the future of all Afro-descendant people. It is inspired by the excellence of Black people and the rich cultural heritage that Africa has given to Vancouver and the world.

It also aims to represent the cohesion, unity, and pride that all Black people should have, regardless of their countries of origin, as we are all representatives of traditions that, in many cases, are fundamental to many cultures around the world.
Symbols and colours in the artwork
Cultural symbols and their significance

Graphic artist Yaimel López Zaldívar explains that the 3 symbols used are Adinkrahene, Aban, and Akoma Ntoaso. These symbols represent:
- United hearts
- Togetherness
- Leadership
- Charisma
- Strength
- The seat of power
- Authority
- Magnificence
These symbols move and expand dynamically, just as African culture itself does around the world. The 3D forms allude to the long sculptural tradition of the African continent.

The Anna's hummingbird is the official bird of Vancouver.

Colours and their meaning

According to Yaimel López Zaldívar, the colours red, black, and green represent Pan-Africanism and are present in the flag of that movement.

Historical research reports

To deepen our understanding of the historical and current experiences of Black and African diaspora communities in Vancouver, we collaborated with Dr. Handel Kashope Wright. He is the Director of the Centre for Culture, Identity and Education at the University of British Columbia, and led the research and development of a series of thematic reports.

These reports were written by Dr. Handel Wright with support from graduate students Abena Somiah and Chineye Eze.