Black Spaces Summit & Symposium 2026 — Day 1 Recap: Leadership, Access, Black Power & Community Futures

October 2, 2026 | The Annex, Vancouver, BC

Building community power, reimagining leadership, and creating pathways toward a more equitable future.

On Friday, October 2, 2026, Afro Van Connect Society (AVC) and Black Space Media Inc. brought together community leaders, changemakers, advocates, and engaged residents for the opening day of the Black Spaces Summit & Symposium 2026, hosted at The Annex in downtown Vancouver.

Under the theme “Leadership, Access, Black Power & Community Futures,” the evening created space for meaningful dialogue about the systems shaping our communities, the importance of authentic leadership, and the collective responsibility we share in building more inclusive and equitable futures.

More than a gathering, the summit was an opportunity to reflect on how Black communities can move beyond representation toward lasting influence, institutional accountability, and community-led transformation.

Reimagining Leadership: Centring Humanity in How We Build Communities

The evening opened with a thought-provoking conversation titled “Authentic Leadership & Centring Humanity in How We Build Communities,” featuring representatives from RADIUS SFU.

Our featured speakers included:

• Ilhan Abdullahi — Health Equity Lab Manager, RADIUS SFU
• Raphael Ochil — Portfolio Manager, Education, Training & Consulting Services, RADIUS SFU, and BEKH Western Hub Lead

Together, they explored the meaning of authentic leadership and the importance of grounding leadership practices in humanity, dignity, care, and accountability.

The discussion challenged conventional approaches to leadership that often prioritize institutional power, hierarchy, and performance over relationships and community well-being.

Instead, the conversation emphasized leadership as a practice rooted in trust, collaboration, empathy, and a commitment to removing systemic barriers.

A central theme was the importance of creating environments where individuals feel seen, heard, valued, and empowered to contribute.

For organizations working with historically marginalized communities, this means moving beyond symbolic commitments to equity and embedding care, accessibility, and accountability into everyday decision-making.

Leadership is not simply about occupying positions of authority. It is about creating the conditions for others to thrive.

Beyond Representation: Building Black Power, Policy & Community Futures

The second panel, “Beyond Representation: Building Black Power, Policy & Community Futures,” shifted the conversation toward political participation, civic leadership, institutional change, and the future of Black communities in Vancouver and beyond.

The panel brought together diverse perspectives from community advocates and civic leaders:

• Stephanie Allen — Founder, Adinkra Strategies, and former mayoral candidate
• Margaret Mubanda — Community advocate and leader
• George Anderson — COPE
• Bereket Kebede — Community leader and advocate

The discussion explored a critical question: What does meaningful Black political power look like beyond visibility and representation?

While representation in political institutions and leadership spaces remains important, panelists examined the need for deeper structural changes that allow Black communities to shape policies, influence resource allocation, and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their lives.

The conversation highlighted several interconnected priorities, including civic participation, political education, intergenerational leadership, equitable access to opportunities, and the importance of building independent community capacity.

It also underscored the need for Black communities to develop sustainable institutions and networks capable of advocating for long-term change.

Rather than waiting for inclusion within existing structures, the discussion invited participants to imagine how communities can organize, collaborate, and build systems that reflect their own priorities, experiences, and aspirations.

Representation opens doors. Community power determines what happens once those doors are open.

Black Spaces as a Foundation for Collective Empowerment

Throughout the evening, a common message emerged: physical, cultural, political, and social spaces are essential to community empowerment.

For Afro Van Connect Society, the Black Spaces Initiative is rooted in the understanding that access to space is directly connected to access to opportunity, cultural expression, economic participation, and collective well-being.

Black Spaces are more than physical locations. They are environments where communities can gather, exchange knowledge, preserve cultural memory, develop leadership, and imagine new possibilities.

Through conversations like those hosted during the summit, AVC continues to explore how community-led infrastructure, cultural programming, and collaborative partnerships can strengthen Black communities across Metro Vancouver.

This work also connects to AVC's broader efforts to advance spatial justice and community ownership through initiatives such as FARE Farms and the proposed Ernie King Outdoor Amphitheatre and Community Garden at Trillium Park, near the historic Hogan's Alley neighbourhood.

These projects reflect a shared vision: creating lasting spaces where Black cultural expression, intergenerational learning, food sovereignty, entrepreneurship, and community connection can flourish.

Creating Space for Dialogue, Reflection & Action

One of the most meaningful aspects of the evening was the opportunity for community members to engage directly with leaders and advocates working across different sectors.

The conversations reinforced the importance of bringing together perspectives from grassroots organizing, education, civic leadership, public policy, and community development.

By creating opportunities for dialogue across these areas, the Black Spaces Summit & Symposium seeks to strengthen relationships, encourage collaboration, and support collective approaches to addressing systemic challenges.

The event also reminded us that meaningful change requires more than conversation.

It requires continued engagement, investment in community-led initiatives, and a willingness to translate shared ideas into tangible action.

The relationships and conversations developed during the summit will help inform AVC's ongoing work to expand access, build partnerships, and create opportunities for future generations.

Looking Ahead: From Dialogue to Lasting Community Impact

Day 1 of the Black Spaces Summit & Symposium 2026 laid an important foundation for continued conversations about leadership, belonging, civic engagement, and community power.

The summit continued on October 17 at The Cultch with “Black Spaces: History, Memory & the Making of Future Legacies,” exploring the connections between cultural memory, entrepreneurship, creative wealth, and the spaces we build for future generations.

Together, the two gatherings reflected AVC's commitment to connecting dialogue with action and creating platforms where Black communities can define and shape their own futures.

As we reflect on the opening day, one message remains clear:

Black spaces are not temporary. Black leadership is essential. Black futures must be shaped by the communities who will inherit them.

Thank You to Our Speakers, Partners & Community

Afro Van Connect Society and Black Space Media Inc. extend our sincere gratitude to all the speakers, panelists, community partners, volunteers, and attendees who contributed to the success of Day 1.

A special thank you to Ilhan Abdullahi, Raphael Ochil, Stephanie Allen, Margaret Mubanda, George Anderson, and Bereket Kebede for sharing their perspectives, experiences, and commitment to advancing meaningful community change.

We also thank RADIUS SFU, The Annex, and everyone who helped bring this gathering to life.

Most importantly, we thank the community members who showed up, participated in these conversations, and continue to support the collective work of building stronger, more connected, and more empowered Black communities.

The Black Spaces Summit & Symposium is not simply an annual event. It is part of an ongoing movement toward greater cultural visibility, community ownership, collective leadership, and lasting structural change.

Together, we are not just imagining the future of Black spaces. We are actively building it.

Stay Connected

Learn more about Afro Van Connect Society's Black Spaces Initiative, upcoming programming, community partnerships, and opportunities to get involved.

Afro Van Connect Society (AVC)

Healing Community. Creating Opportunity. Educating Youth.

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