Around 100 Black Londoners with different backgrounds gathered Tuesday to discuss “interconnected issues affecting their lives,” at the city’s first Black community town hall.
The town hall took place at the Innovation Works building on King Street and was designed as an opportunity for African, Caribbean and Black community members to share experiences on a range of issues, including health-care access, food insecurity and racism, said Mystery Furtado, founder of Type Diabeat-It, which was one of three groups that organized the event.
“An hour or two can’t erase decades of fear and trauma, but we can definitely find solutions,” said Furtado.
Mystery Funtado Founder and CEO of Type Diabeats It (Credit: Daniel Thuss XFM)
“Were looking for coming together of a community, having conversations in the city that go silent. We’re here to learn what’s happening. There’s so much happening but a lot of our community members fall through the gaps.”
Type Diabeat-It is a charity that helping with food literacy, and sovereignty, exercise, and type 2 diabetes management. The group organized Tuesday’s town hall with the London Black Heritage Council and FilAfrik Inc.
Aluel Nhial (credit: Daniel Thuss XFM)
“These organization helps us to be heard, for people to express there need, and we can get the help we need that we don’t get outside of this community,” said Aluel Nhial a mother of 10.
Nhial said her kids sometimes face stereotypes, and it was good to gather with other Black Londoners to share concerns.
“It’s a great way where you can see your loved one, sister or brother,” she said.
Several Londoners at the event shared issues they have faced in London, including food scares, property disagreements and health care challenges. Participants were also asked to answer a survey on how they felt and how they responded during certain situations.
“This is a big important event to help us with funding and to grow as a community” said Patrick Tennant is a volunteer that helps out at London’s WEAN Community Centre, he stated he was very excited to be apart of it.
During the meeting, Furtado recalled how she was told her son was losing his vision when it turned out his eyes were simply a different colour. She said it’s important to share stories and numbers. According to the 2021 census, there were more than 20,000 Black community members living in London and surrounding areas.
About 32 per cent of Black Canadians, experience food insecurity, she said, and Black adults experience diabetes about four times the rate of white adults.
The anti-Black racist action plan that was approved by London council in November of 2024 included 61 different recommendations for the city.
“How can we help?” said Furtado “How can we make these commitments and make them possible?”
The next Black Community Town Hall is set for November 9 2026 at the Beth Emanuel church in London.
Pastor Philip Omondi speaking. (Credit: XFM Daniel Thuss)
