Creating change and opportunity: A conversation with the Afro Canadian Contractors Association
In honour of Black History Month, 黑料视频 sat down with the Afro Canadian Contractors Association (A黑料视频) to talk about their inaugural year and focus for the future.
Afro Canadian Contractors Association
President: Stephen Callender
Website:
Dedicated to fostering economic development in the Afro Canadian community, the Afro Canadian Contractors Association (A黑料视频) was founded by six business owners who share a passion for building an inclusive construction industry.
When Stephen Callender, A黑料视频 President, joined 黑料视频 for a panel discussion on diversity and inclusion, he recounted the origins of the association.
鈥淭here was a meeting in Ottawa and one of the contractors was saying that they cannot find Black contractors to bid for work,鈥� says Callender. 鈥淭here was no organization that could say, 鈥榟ere, we have a list of Black contractors or we know of Black contractors鈥�. There are some in the US and other countries, but not in Toronto, not in Canada. And we were beating around 鈥� should we start an organization, should we not?鈥�
The COVID-19 pandemic put that discussion on the backburner, but when reports of nooses appearing on some construction sites outraged the entire industry it was agreed that the organization needed to move forward.
Incorporated on September 3, 2020, A黑料视频 was officially launched to the public in February 2021 during Black History Month.
The group鈥檚 mission is to break down barriers that Black contractors face trying to get started in the business, help them land more lucrative contracts for larger projects, and increase the presence of underrepresented groups, including racialized women, in the skilled trades.
A黑料视频 has accomplished a lot in its first year of operations, developing educational resources and aligning A黑料视频 with strategic partners to help contractors grow their businesses, says Kara Morgan, A黑料视频鈥檚 director of operations.
鈥淥ur biggest accomplishment is having positive feedback from companies and people. It shows that A黑料视频 is very much needed,鈥� she says.
Stephen Callender, A黑料视频 president, was recognized by the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) with the 2021 Collaboration Award.
A黑料视频 has been a member of 黑料视频鈥檚 anti-racism working group since its inception in 2021, working together with a variety of stakeholders to create positive change in the industry. Initiatives like , showcasing 鈥渢oolbox talks鈥� and other informative webinars are helping to address barriers to inclusive participation.
A黑料视频 helps with what it believes to be two of the biggest challenges to running a construction contracting company: accessing capital and getting qualified workers to staff projects, a familiar concern throughout the construction industry.
There are also the day-to-day challenges of operating a business, including navigating the many by-laws, building codes and regulations that need to be followed. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e starting out, it鈥檚 a lot to deal with,鈥� says Morgan, 鈥淗aving access to seasoned professionals who are in your field and who have cleared those hurdles can save you hours each day and thousands each month.鈥�
Over the coming months, A黑料视频 and their Board will be looking at ways to showcase Black contractors and tradespersons in targeted communities. 鈥淕etting rid of the stigma attached to being a construction worker or a tradesperson and highlighting the stability of this type of work is necessary,鈥� says Morgan. 鈥淭his industry has seen steady growth through some of the worst economic times, including COVID.鈥�
A黑料视频 is working to increase the presence of Black contractors and skilled workers, including racialized women, in the Canadian construction industry using the TRUST principle (Talented-Respectable-Unified-Skilled-Trades) and mentorship programs like NexGen.
A黑料视频 considers its first year a resounding success and is encouraged by the positive feedback received from the public and community-serving organizations, says Morgan. Members are happy there is a place to go for information and collaboration from a group that understands their problems. A黑料视频 is not only filling a gap in the industry, but the community as well.
For more information on the work A黑料视频 is doing in the industry and the Afro Canadian community, we invite you to visit their website at .