The Black Daddies Club co-presents Sunday Dinners, monthly online gathering for Black men, takes place on the last Sunday of every month on the Zoom platform. The Sunday Dinners gatherings are for Black men in all of our entry points; heterosexual, LGBTQ2S+, Living with a disability, etc., if you identify as a Black man, then the Sunday Dinners space welcomes you. The next Sunday Dinners Session will take place on Sunday, October 31st 2021, from 5pm to 8pm, register at this link
The next Sunday Dinners Session will take place on Sunday, October 31st 2021, from 5pm to 8pm. There is no cost to enter the space, the only admission requirement is open mind and positive vibes
This session will focus on the realities & experiences of young black men with the Canadian prison system. When: Friday, November 19th, 2021 Time:7:00 PM-9:30 PM (EST)6:00 PM-8:30 PM (WINNIPEG) Locations: CLICK ON YOUR CITY TO REGISTER Toronto– Stubz Hair Studio Winnipeg– Roots Salon (Central Time Zone) Ottawa– The Rite Cut The first 5 Black men to register for in-person spots will be eligible for a FREE HAIR CUT!
In 2004, African American singer Akon wrote and produced the “street anthem” “Locked Up.” Despite that the song was released in the United States, it achieved a top 10 Billboard ranking. The song was also a Billboard success ranging in the top 10 in France, Germany, and Canada. The tune depicted Akon’s lived experiences in the United States’ prison system as a marginalized young Black man. He sings about his encounters with police leading to his arrests and about the prison system keeping him behind bars. Considering the success of Akon’s Billboard hit song, his once lived experience is, and continues to be, a reality for marginalized young Black men to this day in Canada.
On Friday, November 19th, 2021, The Barbershop Talks series will host a two-hour Zoom-casted/in-person (limited guests) event in local barbershops in Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa. Yes, folks, all on the same day at the same respective times (EST & CDT). These events create space for young Black men to share in a supportive environment. Community members will be encouraged to imagine and strive to understand their realities and experiences with the Canadian prison system. This event encourages an “uncomfortable to get comfortable” dialogue, asking difficult questions and encouraging widespread participation. The aim is to arrive at strategies that would eliminate the need for segregation and support a successful transition from prison to community and family for Black men and boys currently exiting Canadian detention centres and prisons.
In-person Barbershop Gatherings Small groups of Black men and boys will be invited to receive free haircuts while listening to special guests and participating in the discussion. Locations:Toronto – Stubz Hair Studio (Moderated by Dr. Tamari Katossa) Winnipeg – Roots Salon (Moderated by Warren Clarke) Ottawa – The Rite Cut (Moderated by Arnold Tabaro) Zoom – Live from all 3 cities
Prison Industrial Complex and Black Men in Canada
What can be done to prevent incarceration and social segregation and to meaningfully intervene in the lives of those at risk of involvement or already involved in illegal activities? How can we support Black men and boys who are released from prison or detention find ways to thrive and avoid both police involvement and return to lock up? In Canada’s major urban areas, marginalized Black men and boys continue to be disproportionately carded, racially profiled, arrested, denied bail, and incarcerated. Burdened with criminal records and often resorting to gang involvement merely to survive the prison experience (or worse, deported to countries where their lives can be taken with impunity), Canadian criminal law simply does not protect them. Where is the political will to support evidence-based prevention programming and to divert funding from organizations that practice suppression and segregation?
Providing segregation (rather than preventative supports that improve the social conditions in which Black families live), the Canadian justice system punishes rather than restores and works to amplify and limit employment opportunities. The system sets former inmates up to fail, prohibiting access to accommodation and education and intensifying insecurity and poverty. Without other options, many Black men and boys must endure the humiliation of scavenging on the margins of society, never really becoming community-integrated, and never receiving the assistance with basic human needs, or trauma-informed mental health care, that they require. Impoverished Black men and boys are significantly overrepresented in the official crime statistics in relation to offending and victimization – and even those who avoid police involvement must negotiate the violence in their communities. As many as 3/4 of those released from lock-up re-offend within three years of release, creating a revolving door of incarceration and failure to thrive in the community. This severely destabilizes Black families and poor communities. With 94% of all Black people in Canada’s penitentiaries being men, the impact on Black families and communities is immense and devastating.
The first 5 Black men to register for in-person spots will be eligible for a FREE HAIR CUT!
Zoom Technologies
Time: 7:00 PM-9:30 PM EST.
Please know the Barbershop Talk Series holds space for all our guests to be vulnerable to discuss and to share their lived experiences.
This event is open to all Canadian, new Canadian and residing Canadian community members who wish to learn and share, with a warning that explicit violence will be discussed, which may be triggering for some. This event employs Zoom to reach locals and those outside of Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa communities.
In-person Barbershop Gatherings
Small groups of Black men and boys will be invited to receive free haircuts while listening to special guests and participating in the discussion.
(Register for this event on EventBrite)
Itinerary
7:00PM to 7:10 PM EST
Greeting and welcome audience
Land acknowledgement Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa
What is the Barbershop Talk Series?
Introduce the featured speakers
The Discussion
7:10PM to 8:10 PM
An in-depth conversation with the featured guests while in-person participants receive haircuts.
During the conversation, the online audience is restricted to typing questions and comments or chatting. The in-person audience will be able to join the
conversation, speaking at their discretion.
Everyone Participates
8:10 PM to 9:15 EST
The conversation will open up to the audience, asking questions and encouraging participants to add value to the discussion.
Giveaways – 3 pairs of Jordan 1’s, one shoes will be given away in each location (see attachment)
Online Survey – Feedback
Conclusion
The event concludes promptly 9:30 PM EST
One pair of Air Jordans (1) will be given out at each location
