Black communities grow stronger across Vancouver

Metro Vancouver has seen a noticeable shift in its Black population over the past several years. Between 2016 and 2021, the number of Black residents rose 38 per cent, from 29,830 to 41,180 according to Statistics Canada. Across British Columbia, the increase was even higher, 42 per cent, reaching 61,760 people, representing roughly 1.3 per cent of the provincial population.

For many newcomers and long-term residents, this growth is reshaping daily life. Viccy Birungi Namuyomba, a corporate controller and content creator who arrived from Uganda eight years ago, says she senses the difference. “It’s not as it used to be before where you used to be like a lone wolf walking around Vancouver. So I feel like there’s a shift,” she said.

Students at the University of British Columbia have observed similar changes. Gankal Ka, who moved from Senegal in 2021, recalls being the only Black student in her classes. “Whereas now, I think there’s a lot more people both at UBC and outside that you can connect with,” she said.

Despite population growth, connecting remains a challenge. Handel Kashope Wright, director of UBC’s Centre for Culture, Identity and Education, cites geographic dispersion and the absence of concentrated Black neighborhoods. Vancouver once had a focal point, Hogan’s Alley, a three-block Black community in Strathcona that included the African Methodist Episcopal Fountain Chapel and local businesses like Vie’s Chicken and Steak House. The neighborhood was dismantled in the 1970s to make way for the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts.

Djaka Blais, executive director of the Hogan’s Alley Society, describes the long-term impact of that loss. “You’re the only Black kid in your school, the only Black person in your workplace, and you’re experiencing racism and discrimination,” he said.

Community organizations are helping fill that void. The Centre for Integration of African Immigrants in New Westminster provides job fairs, tax clinics, and events for seniors and youth. Paul Mulangu, the founder, says in-person gatherings are crucial for building connections and accessing resources.

Annual events like Vancouver’s Black Block Party also bring the community together. Ayobami Suara, the organization’s operations lead, emphasizes accessibility. “There’s nothing stopping 5,000, 6,000 people coming for Black Block Party, but you have to be open and willing to, you know, make the trip, go down there,” he said.

In Surrey, restaurants like VanSuya serve as cultural and social hubs, hosting Independence Day celebrations, karaoke nights, and Caribbean-themed events. Owner Ekaose Nwadiani views the space as a safe place for connection and mental wellness. “You are walking into a safe space that is your own,” he said.

As Metro Vancouver’s Black population grows, these initiatives are creating gathering spaces that nurture belonging, support, and community identity.

  BC, Vancouver