DCCBA

First Annual Scholarship Award Ceremony held in August 2021 with tremendous success and feedback from participants, scholarship recipients and sponsors.

We championed several initiatives during the year such as Vaccine Information Session in partnership with WDG Public Health. We exhibited strong and timely advocacy on the behalf of the Black community. Most notably, our intervention with the UGDSB to remove harmful reading materials after a complaint was brought by a student and her family to DCCBA. As a result of our involvement, not only were we able to get the reading material removed but also received assurances from the UGDSB that measures would be immediately put in place to ensure that this occurrence would never happen again.

DCCBA has held several successful Ask the Experts Sessions (one each month from January 2021 to present). Based on the feedback, the sessions have added tremendous value to members of our community.

We continue to be leaders and change in the space of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We are proud to be an organization that is highly sought after to participate in conferences, business engagements and requests for training sessions.

With respect to our commitment to expose Black youths in Dufferin County to meaningful learning opportunities, DCCBA was excited to offer 4 students a spot in the popular Coding program hosted by a local organization.

In addition to the Coding program, DCCBA was also able to register 8 students of diverse backgrounds in Dufferin-County for an online Toastmasters program.

Grant Specific Impacts:

Financial Literacy:

In 2021, DCCBA was successful in delivering under the category of Financial Literacy, four (4) events led by industry experts on topics such as Market Investment Strategies, Credit Scores, and Tax Preparation. Each session drew a healthy audience that were actively engaged.

Cultural Education:

Part of DCCBA’s mandate is to provide inspirational and cultural exposure to the community we serve. With a particular emphasis on local leaders that are influential when it comes their advocacy on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In 2021, DCCBA was proud to secure 15 copies of Shelburne Deputy Mayor’s inspirational book, Driven to Succeed. The book is a powerful example of overcoming adversities and persevering to achieve success.

In addition, DCCBA proudly sponsored 3 Youth from the community allowing them to learn and participate in the sport of Cricket. This popular sport around the world has grown quickly in the Town of Shelburne. While the game is entertaining, it also provides an opportunity for youth mentorship and bonding with the older players. Without the support of DCCBA, these youths would not have the opportunity to play and benefit from being around positive role models.

DCCBA also allocated funding for the Black History Month event in 2021- enabling us to provide culturally relevant information that was streamed live on YouTube. This hugely successful event drew a diverse audience from across Dufferin County and surrounding Areas.

DCCBA was also excited to partner with Streams Community Hub to support art in Dufferin County.

Lastly, with the goal of facilitating cultural learning opportunities and ongoing outreach with the community, DCCBA purchased 4 tablets and 1 laptop for onboarding volunteers and management to use. This has become particularly important in midst of a global pandemic where in-person connections have largely been curtailed at the advice of Public Health.

Marketing:

DCCBA teamed with Welcome to Shelburne to provide marketing materials about the organization for the benefit of new residents. Our marketing items were sourced from an organization in Dufferin County.

As part of our marketing budget a removable & reusable plaque with a QR Code was sourced from a business in Dufferin County and placed in the widely used Shelburne Community Garden.

In 2021, DCCB became a title sponsor for the Shelburne Cricket Club. DCCBA’s logo is now used on all uniforms, print marketing, social media and on trophies. With the sport of cricket growing rapidly in the Town of Shelburne, this was seen as supportive and good marketing for DCCBA.

Testimonials:

Bursary Program
“Recognizing our students in the elementary schools is critical to their future success and I’m so happy that your organization is providing this opportunity for them as they are often excluded”. JB, Teacher

Financial Literacy:

“Super informative”! JS

“Will we be getting a copy- This is amazing”! AO

“Very Helpful”! SC

“Very informative, clearing lots of concepts. Thank you”! KM

“Truly well presented”! SL

“Great event, lot of information…very well presented”! KM

“Great info. Thanks to all”. SL

“It was great information” SL

“Thank you. This was enlightening.” RS

“Thank you, Kamran! Very informative” JS

“Thanks Kamran” SL

“A lot in our community need this info. Hopefully they make the connection with the speaker and get the coverage. AC

“Thank you so much for this session, content and delivery was awesome” PFG

High Level Stats

100% of surveyed participants found value in the programs and events that DCCBA has organized

100% of surveyed participants said they would register for another program

During the period February to November, we have received:

6 requests from families for support

2 Requests from schools seeking support for students

5 requests for additional programs and events.

Closing comments

As the organization continues to grow, we will rely heavily on support from community grants, government grants and sponsors to be able to continue to provide valuable programs and services to the community.

Prepared by: Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson