Educating the public on how to build meaningful connections with their own community.
That's one of the goals behind a multicultural initiative in Coquitlam that's set to host a third annual event later this year in encouraging more open interactions that discourage racism in the city,
Today (April 19), B.C. announced that the Coquitlam Public Library (CPL) is receiving $5,000 from the latest multiculturalism and anti-racism grant funding to help its cause.
The total pot is around $300,000, a provincial government release stated.
CPL is one of 60 organizations receiving a grant in providing access to anti-racism tools and resources in building on more inclusive communities.
"Racism and discrimination are alive and prevalent across B.C., but proper education and honest conversations within our communities can help change that," said Coquitlam-Maillardville MLA Selina Robinson in a separate statement.
"Coquitlam Public Library's speaker series....has been an incredible resource and listening opportunity for the people in my community, and I am so excited to see it continue and grow."
Coquitlam's library has hosted a public speaker series the last two years entitled Past and Present: Conversations about Race in BC.
Over four days last fall, the library invited the public to learn about IBPOC groups and their contributions to the province in hopes of developing a better understanding of the systemic racism that continues today.
This included the following topics:
- Indigenous peoples
- Early immigrants
- Black history
- Current climate of racism in B.C.
Its primary focus is expansion with the forums to support racialized groups in the Tri-Cities.
The CPL's next Conversations about Race in BC event is not yet scheduled.
However, the grant it received is earmarked for projects that take place before March 31, 2024.
"Indigenous, Black and People of Colour [IBPOC] continue to experience discrimination in every part of society, and because of this, they are often being left behind," said Mable Elmore, B.C. parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives.
"These grants are one important way we are supporting grassroots organizations to address systemic racism in the ways they think will work best for their communities, so we can build a more inclusive province for everyone."
