- info@blac.clcj.ca
- Open hours: Mon - Fri 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Established in 2017, the Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC) is an independent not-for-profit community legal clinic that combats individual and systemic anti-Black racism by providing free legal services, conducting research, developing public legal education materials, and engaging in test case litigation and law reform.
A society where anti-Black racism is named and meaningfully addressed; where the humanity and dignity of Black people are centred; where the laws and the legal system are just and fair; and where racial equity and full participation of all Black people in society is achieved.
To combat and eradicate individual and systemic anti-Black racism in Ontario through education, advocacy, and litigation.
We define anti-Black racism as policies and practices embedded within Canadian institutions that reflect and reinforce beliefs, attitudes, prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination that is directed at people of Black-African descent and is rooted in the unique history and experience of enslavement and colonization in Canada.
(Anti-Racism Directorate, Ontario; Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit, City of Toronto).
BLAC’s Strategic Plan provides the framework for 2022 – 2027. This Strategic Plan will form the basis on which we develop a focused list of valid, necessary and measurable actions and outcomes. Internally, it provides the basis for more detailed operational plans to make sure that all BLAC’s organizational activities connect to results.
is aimed at reducing the number of Black people held in custody or custodial supervision.
is aimed at addressing the social determinants of health and justice by fighting anti-Black racism with respect to such things as income, employment, housing, education, and health.
is aimed at permanently lifting Black people out of poverty in all its forms and improving the living conditions of Black people with low or no income.
Ayderus’ commitment to community issues has spanned over 10 years and has been reflected in the work/projects he has participated in. This work has included a position as a Youth Worker in a Toronto District School Board suspension program where he routinely interacted with a diverse group of youth who had negative interactions with the police and other criminal justice actors.
These interactions required that he advocate on their behalf in court as many of the youth that he worked with were arbitrarily detained, searched and assaulted by Police Officers and Toronto Community Housing Security Officers. This work also included facilitating workshops that discussed their rights and responsibilities when interacting with the Police and Toronto Community Housing Security Officers and assisting them with the Police Complaints process.
Ayderus is the co-founder and Executive Director of Beyond the Lyrics Youth Resource Centre, a youth-led, grassroots organization that supports youth by addressing access issues (access to resources, education and justice).
Ayderus continued to be involved in community and advocacy work while attending Osgoode Hall Law School through his work as a Youth and Education Division Leader with C.L.A.S.P., Osgoode’s Legal Aid Clinic. He completed his final semester of law school in the Criminal Intensive Programme.
Thando Hyman’s dynamic leadership and innovative school practices has been recognized by community, national and international media.
Her professional career includes over 20 years of administrative experience in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), as Principal, Instructional leader, and Literacy Convener. She was the first Principal of Toronto’s ground breaking Africentric Alternative School, served as Lead Principal for 22 TDSB schools and was Course Director and Adjunct Professor at York University’s Faculty of Education.
Ms. Hyman’s extensive community work includes having been host of the “African Woman & Family” on 89.5 CIUT FM radio, being founding board member of the African-Canadian Legal Clinic, past chair and Board member of the African Heritage Educators Network and TVO Ontario. She currently works with educators to implement Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy and continues to support students and lead professional learning on Black Student excellence.
Neto Frank Naniwambote is a Licensed Legal Practitioner and is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Ontario (AJEFO). He is the founder and executive director of NNWAMBOTE LEGAL SERVICES. Neto’s practice encompasses a variety of legal areas—including, but not limited to, torts, accident benefits, provincial offences, summary convictions, human rights, residential tenancies, and immigration; Neto has appeared in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Justice, Small Claims Court and various tribunals on numerous legal matters—including motions, mediations, pre-trial hearings, settlement conferences, examinations for discovery, and trials.
Neto is currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Harriet Tubman Community Organization—a not-for-profit organization for Black/African youth that provides services and programs to promote Black/African heritage, academic success, and leadership and life skills in Black/African youth. He also served as Chair of the Board of Directors of IGNITE.
Neto holds a Bachelor’s Degree in ParaJuriste Studies, a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting Management (Honours), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Physics (Honours). He speaks English, French, Portuguese, and Dutch/Afrikaans.
Edith is Founder and Executive Director of Uzima Women Relief Group International. Uzima provides care and support to families affected by poverty, war and disease with particular focus on women and children living with HIV/AIDS globally.
Edith was a Senior Research Officer at the Kenya Medical Research Institute until she immigrated to Canada in 2001. As well as working on other diseases such as malaria, Edith has worked in the HIV/AIDS field since the first case was diagnosed in Kenya in the early 1980s.
Since coming to Canada, she has continued to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS. She works with several Provincial, National and International AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) as well as non-ASOs facilitating community-based education and research.
Edith serves on several Boards and Committees providing health and social services to marginalized communities including those serving African people. She is the former President of Abeingo Association Canada currently supporting AIDS orphans and other needy children in Kenya. From 2007 – 2015, Edith was a member of the Ministerial Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS advising the Federal Minister of Health, Canada on the Federal Initiative on HIV/AIDS.
Edith is also owner of her own Consulting Firm Health and Life Promotion Research Consultancy (HELP) providing research and community education and support services locally and internationally. Edith’s international work includes working in Bangladesh as a WHO Advisor to the Bangladeshi government.
Edith is a holder of a PhD and MSc in Medical Sciences, a Bachelor’s degree in Education/Science, a Diploma in Community-Based Program Planning and Management, and several certificates in the health and social services fields.
Edith is a mother of 4 and grandmother of 5 children.
Ivor is a Chartered Professional Accountant. As a seasoned Accounting and Finance professional, Ivor brings over 35 years experience including over 15 years financial managerial experience, in non-profit and charitable organizations. Ivor also served for two years as the Controller for the Italian Canadian Savings and Credit Union. Ivor is currently leading the Pan-African Credit Union Initiative, looking to establish a Black Credit Union in the GTA. He tirelessly lends his expertise and skills to the Black Community.
Valarie Steele is a veteran community activist and community leader. She was a Vice President and President of the Jamaican Canadian Association for several terms, and was the president of the Jamaican Diaspora Canada Foundation. She has also served in numerous other, capacities and boards and committees and organizations throughout Toronto’s Black community and as one of two Canadian representatives/Directors on the Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board, which advises the Jamaican government, through its Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, on matters of import to the diaspora and in particular to Jamaicans residing in Canada. Valarie is the vice president of Black Action Defense Committee Inc.
Demar is admitted to practice at the Bars in Ontario, Alberta and Jamaica. Demar completed his studies at the University of the West Indies, University of Technology, Norman Manley Law School and University of Toronto.
During this time he was no stranger to community work, being involved in a number of human rights litigation and administrative law matters. This foundation shaped what would become of his legal practice. Until his appointment at BLAC, Demar represented the interest of Black families and community organization at Coroner’s Inquests.
Demar is excited to bring his vision for a responsive, accountable, and stable Black Legal Action Centre. He believes that the clinic, together with other community organizations, has the ability to continue reshaping the law for the benefit of our community. His unrelenting resilience in the face of adversity and reliance on the strength of his team is what he hopes will take BLAC to the next level in fighting against racial injustice in Ontario.
Hodine Williams brings over two decades of diverse professional experience spanning the legal, financial, hospitality, and engineering sectors to BLAC. As a seasoned lawyer and management consultant, Hodine has worked with corporations in Canada and the United Kingdom, performing corporate governance assessments and advising on compliance and regulatory matters.
Hodine’s expertise is underpinned by a Master of Laws in International Business Law from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, as well as first degrees in Management & Economics, and Law.
Described as meticulous and a critical-thinking optimist, Hodine has represented Jamaica in international and local fora, and contributed to government inter-ministerial committees including human rights and matters affecting the youth. He has also taught legal and business courses at the tertiary level in Jamaica and Canada. Beyond his legal career, Hodine is a dedicated philanthropist and advocate for youth development, and racialised groups and actively supports charities locally and internationally.
He combines technical mastery in business and law with a passion for process re-engineering, painting, and karate. Hodine’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and helping individuals achieve their potential makes him a valued member of BLAC.
Shevaun Pierre (she/her) is the Intake Coordinator/Paralegal at the Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC). She is a graduate of Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology.
Prior to joining BLAC, she worked in the Provincial Offences Court, Court Services and Prosecutions departments. Shevaun has sat on the Property Standards and Animal Services Appeal Committee and the Youth Justice Committee of the Boys and Girls club in Durham Region.
Shevaun has participated in discussions regarding anti-Black racism in literature and has worked towards amplifying Black voices in literature.
Shevaun is committed to community, equity, and diversity and working towards combating anti-Black racism in Ontario.
Alana C. Weekes is a Paralegal and Intake Coordinator, dedicated to empowering Black communities, through education and advocacy.
Born and raised in Barbados, Alana’s passion for community service and outreach began there, where she led mentorship and development programs for youth, fostering resilience and empowerment by creating spaces where knowledge and opportunities are shared.
Alana holds a Bachelor of Arts (Law) from Carleton University and a Master of Laws in Intellectual Property from the University of the West Indies. Since gaining her Paralegal License, she actively participates in initiatives which promote access to justice, and educating others on social and legal issues within their community.
Whether in her personal or professional life, Alana is committed to fairness and empowerment, and lives by the guiding principle “always pay it forward”.
Our annual report highlights some of our work over from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. It also includes information about how much money we received and how we spent it.
Our annual report highlights some of our work over from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. It also includes information about how much money we received and how we spent it.
Our annual report highlights some of our work over from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. It also includes information about how much money we received and how we spent it.
View ReportOur annual report highlights some of our work over from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. It also includes information about how much money we received and how we spent it.
View ReportOur annual report highlights some of our work over from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2020. It also includes information about how much money we received and how we spent it.
View ReportSubscribe to our newsletter to get our daily latest news and updates
