About Us
Who We Are
The Great Lakes Networking Society of BC is a Black-led, Black-serving, and Black-mandated non-profit organization dedicated to uplifting communities through arts, culture, education, and civic engagement. For over 17 years, we have been amplifying Black voices, celebrating heritage, and creating inclusive and safe spaces/platforms where creativity, innovations, dialogue, and intergenerational connection thrive.
Rooted in Metro Vancouver yet reaching globally, we work in solidarity with allied and underserved communities to challenge systemic barriers, promote equity, equality, and empower individuals to lead, create, and belong. Our programs, festivals, and initiatives reflect our commitment to justice, cultural recognition, and community well-being, making lasting impacts across the city and beyond.
Vision:
We envision a just, inclusive, and resilient society where people of African descent and allied communities, including immigrants, refugees, seniors, at-risk youth, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, and those affected by mental health challenges, addiction, or homelessness, are fully recognized, respected, and empowered to progress. Through arts, culture, education, and advocacy, we celebrate cultural identity, promote equity, challenge systemic barriers, Promote and strengthen healing, leadership, belonging, and peaceful coexistence
Mission & Values:
We are a Black-led, Black-mandated, and Black-serving organization dedicated to advancing justice, equity, equality and inclusion. Through arts, culture, education, sports, and advocacy, we design culturally grounded programs and festivals that uplift Black, African voices, strengthen intergenerational knowledge, challenge systemic barriers, and promote healing, belonging, and community connection for underserved and allied communities in Metro Vancouver and beyond.
Our Values
Community Care and Healing: We believe that through Art, culture, and education all these are essential pathways, tools and vehicles to resilience, well-being, and collective healing.
Justice and Equity: We work to dismantle systemic barriers and advance fair access to opportunities, resources, and representation.
Equality and Inclusion: We promote full participation and belonging for all, prioritizing communities historically excluded or marginalized.
Diversity: We celebrate the richness of identities, cultures, Language and lived experiences of People of African Descent across the African diaspora.
Decolonization: We center Indigenous and Black/African diaspora knowledge systems, challenge colonial structures, and support self-determination.
Accessibility: We remove physical, cultural, economic, and social barriers so everyone participates with dignity.
Established on the 24th June 2010, a Non-profit under the BC Society Act. The Great Lakes Networking Society of BC is a Black-led, Black-mandated arts and cultural non-profit organization serving people of African descent and allied underserved communities.
Great Lakes Networking Society of BC is a Black-led, Black-mandated, and Black-serving non-profit organization that as well works in solidarity with allied and underserved communities.
We work across the Greater Vancouver, including Richmond, extedning our impact beyond, engaging Civil Society, promoting connections, cultural exchange, and Social justice globally.