Melanistic Magazine - Vol 13

Black Canadian Women (BCW) in Action— Empowering Leaders of Tomorrow

From outsider to trailblazer: How Black Canadian Women in Action is breaking new ground in Western Canada

When Jeanne Lehman moved to Edmonton in 2011, she immediately felt like an outsider. Lehman was born in Cameroon where she immigrated to Paris and eventually found roots in Canada as a Francophone. At the time, less than three per cent of the people in her new city identified as Black. Even fewer as Black and Francophone.

“I realized that there were a lot of Black families, including myself, living in this province that were not as immersed or integrated into the community,” she said. “On top of this, I noticed there were not many groups or resources

for French-speaking teachers of African origin as well, so this, coupled with a feeling of being excluded from society, made me want to do something about it.” She founded Francophonie Albertaine Plurielle (FRAP) , currently the main francophone settlement organization in Edmonton.

Jeanne Lehman, creator Black Canadian Women (BCW) in Action

Six years later, Lehman created Black Canadian Women (BCW) in Action. The bilingual, non-profit organization is committed to empowering Black women, girls and families living in Western Canada, by creating a space that fosters cultural inclusion, provides professionals with opportunities for career development, and offers coaching specifically for entrepreneurs.

“[Our] program trains and inspires Black entrepreneurs by enabling them to learn from peers who also recognize the unique challenges facing Black business owners,” she said.

One of Lehman and BCW’s proudest accomplishments to date is a mentorship program designed specifically for young women ages 16 to 18. It’s the first of its kind and includes workshops, job shadowing, leadership development, and self-esteem seminars. Lehman says the goal is to ensure future generations of girls and women will demand their seat at the table and make a difference.

“As we think about Black History Month, we reflect on the hurdles that many Black women and families have endured. BCW in Action wants to continue shaping the future of women in our Black communities and strives to continue to diversify our footprint across the Canadian market and provide opportunities. We’re grateful to continue expanding our services through support from sponsors like TD Bank Group (TD).”

During Black History Month, BCW in Action will be holding a Traditional Black History Month Brunch Celebration on February 11th from 11am2pm, where there will be exciting presentations in its different locations with different themes reflecting on our past, celebrating our contribution and shaping our future.

To learn more about upcoming programs and to support BCW visit: www.bcwinaction.ca, or follow along on Instagram and Facebook at @BCWINACTION.