Mission
Our mission is to remove the barriers experienced by people of African descent, Indigenous Peoples and racially marginalized groups in the Atlantic region by conducting research, developing educational tools and providing services that address systemic racism in education, justice and employment.
Who we are:
AEARA is a community based organization established to address systemic barriers to people of African descent, Indigenous Peoples and other racialized communities in the Atlantic region (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island), in particular with regards to education, justice, public safety and employment.
We are run by a volunteer board of directors, all of whom are people of African descent.
What we do:
We conduct research and public education, and provide services to these identified community members in order to:
(1) Overcome barriers to obtaining employment, professional careers within federal, provincial and private sector employers;
(2) Reduce the rate of incarceration and victimization; and
(3) Influence positive policy and program reforms by educating social service-providers, federal and provincial policy-makers, and public and private sector employers.
AEARA’s services and programs
AEARA’s services and programs include promoting digital literacy, supporting mental wellness, and providing training and education. AEARA supports research, and develops projects that incorporate the collection of disaggregated data. AEARA works to increase awareness of the barriers to integration and access to services within the framework of current provincial education, justice and economic structures.
AEARA continues to expand its organizational capacity building to support partnerships across the Atlantic region. AEARA also works to develop training on digital business needs for Black, Indigenous and racialized businesses, improve their governance and organizational management, and improve the use of technology/virtual platforms, and develop plans for sustainability. AEARA also utilizes funding to develop education social platforms which will eventually provide culturally relevant educational software for Black and racialized children.
AEARA is run by a volunteer board of directors, currently of People of African Descent, and who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the organization. They include:
– Community organizing and Federal-Provincial policy reform and advocacy focused on challenging systemic racism and inequality in order to improve the material conditions of Black and racialized Canadians in the Atlantic Region.
– Conceptualization and delivery of investment Talent Programs (Atlantic Region) to support career development program for Black public servants, and community Indigenous, racialized youth toward careers in the federal public service.
– Seasoned Architect, Project Management Professional, and a business entrepreneur experience with a wealth of experience in the construction / real estate and entertainment media industry. AEARA has access to decades of experience helping to guide research, and provide creative solutions and ideas to support the economic inclusion of racially marginalized Canadians.
– Collaborative partnerships with many associations across the Atlantic
– Extensive lived experience and professional expertise to address the barriers to integration and access to services within the provincial education, justice and economic structures. AEARA support networks allow for the development of AEARA’s educational programs and services for community members, as well as initiatives to educate social service providers, policy-makers and federal, provincial and private sector employers about the barriers to inclusion.
AEARA also holds inter-connective relationships with research organizations and experts in the fields of conducting research and collecting evidence-based data on the experiences of Black Canadians, those who identify as People of African Descent and immigrant workers. AEARA is also experienced in engaging with the government in discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism and religious discrimination centred around education reform at all levels of the New Brunswick (NB) education system.