Cont’ …..youth mentorship, and cultural exchange.

We are centered at Anti-racism, accessibility,  and decolonization, using the Arts to advocate for equity and amplify the voices of Seniors,  refugees, Newcommers,  at-risk youth, young people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities, and those struggling with Mental health and Addiction . 

Our initiatives align with the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent and support global goals such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

 Our Core Values:

 1. Creativity- Encouraging innovation and originality in artistic and educational pursuits

 2. Inclusivity- Strengthen an environment where everyone, regardless of backgrounds, participates, is valued and feel a sense of belonging

 3. Integrity – Uphold honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior in all activities

 4. Excellence- Strive for the highest standards in artistic expression, education, and organizational practices

 5. Community engagement – Involve racialized and underserved communities with accessibility, inclusivity, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate approaches

 6. Diversity – Respected while celebrating diverse cultures, perspectives, and talents

 7. Education – Committed to provide lifelong learning opportunities for skills development and knowledge sharing

 8. Sustainability-Promote environmental responsibility and ensuring long-term organizational viability.

These values guide our Goals and mission, shaping programs and services, building a strong, resilient community around arts, culture, sports, education, etc.

OBJECTIVES

1.   Advance Arts and Cultural Engagement
   Deliver inclusive, community-led arts, music, and cultural programs that reflect and celebrate the heritage, creativity, and lived experiences of Black and diverse communities.

2. Promote Social Justice Through Creative Expression
   Use storytelling, performance, and visual arts to raise awareness, challenge inequities, and support anti-racism, decolonization, and human rights.

3. Strengthen Legal Education and Empowerment
   Equip underserved communities with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to navigate legal systems, through accessible, multilingual workshops, campaigns, and advocacy initiatives.

4. Foster Community Leadership and Inclusion
   Empower youth, seniors, and emerging leaders through mentorship, skills training, and cultural exchange rooted in the arts and community development.

5. Support Education and Intergenerational Learning
   Provide creative, culturally grounded learning opportunities that preserve cultural memory, foster mutual understanding, and build bridges across generations.

6. Build Resilient and Equitable Communities
   Address systemic barriers through programs that integrate arts with wellness, outreach, trauma-informed supports, and civic engagement—ensuring inclusive, community-led solutions.

7. Advance Racial and Social Equity Through Advocacy
   Advocate for equitable policies and amplify Black voices in decision-making spaces by combining grassroots mobilization with innovative and artistic approaches.

8. Promote Cross-Cultural Understanding and Belonging
   Enhance social cohesion through exhibitions, performances, and collaborative community events that celebrate diverse identities, traditions, and beliefs.

9. Combat Racism and Discrimination
   Deliver trauma-informed supports for individuals facing discrimination and collaborate with local stakeholders to build safer, more inclusive communities.

10.  Strengthen Community Resilience Through Capacity-Building
    Launch training and leadership programs informed by national research and local needs, bridging gaps between marginalized communities, institutions, and systems.

All our objectives align with our mission to use Arts and culture as vehicles for equity, inclusion, education, and community empowerment, especially for Black, Indigenous, underserved populations and interfaith minority communities in Metro Vancouver, provincial, National and beyond.

The Great Lakes’ Tree of Impact – A powerful visual that tells our story.

At Great Lakes Networking Society of BC, we imagine our work as a living tree grounded, growing, and giving life to change.  Each part of the this tree reflects a different part of who we are and what we stand for:

Roots are Our Core Values

These values anchor our work and nourish everything we do:

Equity is where we believe that everyone deserves fair access to resources, representation, and opportunity.

Inclusion – We intentionally create safe spaces/platforms where every voice is welcomed, and heard especially of those often unheard, where everyone belongs and valued.

Anti-Racism – We actively challenge and dismantle systems of oppression.

Decolonization – We respect and uplift Indigenous knowledge, presence, and leadership.

Justice – We work for structural and social change, not just temporary solutions.

Creativity – We believe in expression through the arts to imagine and build better futures. 

Accessibility – We make sure our programs are accessed by all, regardless of ability or background.

Collaboration – We grow together, through partnerships rooted in trust and respect.

Legacy – We honour cultural memory, intergenerational learning, and long-term impact.

Integrity – We do our work with honesty and care.

Excellence – We aim for high quality and meaningful impact.

Community Engagement  Where we listen, learn, and work with the people we serve.  We build power the the Community through collective care, action, and participation.

Diversity – We honour all identities, backgrounds, and voices.

Education – We share and grow knowledge across generations.

Sustainability – We think about long-term impact and care for the planet.

Trunk – Our Mission

TRUNK: Mission

The strong center that connects the values (roots) to the impact (branches).

Mission: Empowering communities through arts, culture, and education to drive justice, inclusion, and social change.

This mission is the heartwood that connects our values to our work:

“We use arts and culture as catalysts for justice, equity, and empowerment, nurturing creativity, celebrating heritage, and advancing education through inclusive, intergenerational, and community-driven initiatives.”

Branches – Are our 10 Pillars of Impact  –  

Each branch reflects a major objective we purse to help communities to thrive: 

🌿 The 10 Pillars of Impact

Great Lakes Networking Society of BC

1. Arts and Cultural Engagement – We deliver inclusive, community-led Arts, music, and cultural programs that celebrate Black and diverse heritages, reflecting our lived experiences.

2. Creative Justice and Anti-Racism – The use of Storytelling, performance, and visual arts to challenge systemic inequities, promote human rights, and advocate for anti-racism and decolonization.

3. Community Leadership and  Inclusion – Empower youth, seniors, and emerging leaders through mentorship, skills training, and leadership development rooted in cultural identity and lived experience.

4. Intergenerational Learning and Education – Bridge generations with accessible, culturally rooted education and shared knowledge experiences that preserve memory and build futures.

5. Legal Empowerment and Advocacy – To Equip underserved communities with tools, education, creating safe spaces and platforms to navigate legal systems and advocate for justice and policy change.

6. Cultural Understanding and Exchange – Promote appreciation of diverse cultures and traditions through exhibitions, festivals, workshops, and respectful cross-cultural dialogue.

7. Social Cohesion and Belonging -Promote inclusive spaces, programs and Festivals  where all community members regardless of background, their origin, feel safe, valued, welcome and connected.

8. Resilience, Wellness and Outreach–  We Integrate culturally relevant approaches to wellness, mental health, harm reduction, and outreach to support healing and resilience.

9. Skill Development and Capacity Building  – Provide training and creative tools in arts, and culture, empower individuals, marginalized groups and youth sports to thrive and lead.

10. Innovation, Partnership and Systems Change – Strengthen grassroots innovation, creativity and cross-sector partnerships, creating scalable, community-led solutions that drive systemic change.

• Arts Engagement – Creative programs rooted in Black and diverse cultures.

• Youth Leadership Skills and mentorship initiatives.

• Elders and Learning – Bridge generations through cultural sharing.

• Creative Justice – Use arts to push for equity and human rights and Legal Empowerment – Know-your-rights and advocacy education.

• Community Advocacy – Mobilize voices to influence change.

• Cultural Understanding – Celebrate History, culture, belifs and traditions through exhibits, events and Festivals.

• Social Connection – Events that  enagement,  build belonging and trust.

• Skill Development Hands-on training in Arts Culture and youth  sports.

• Resilience and Change – We help community members to  heal and challenge the systems.

Why the Tree?

Tree of Impact   

• Roots at the bottom → These are our Core Values.

• A trunk in the middle → our Mission.

• Branches at the top our 10 Pillars of Impact (Our big objectives

• Each branch holds one of our objectives, and each root represents a value that supports our work

The tree is a symbol of growth, resilience, and rooted strength.
Just like a tree, our society draws power from the ground up, starting in community, reaching out in many directions, and standing firm through every season.