On Thursday, September 14, 2017, a representative from the Urban Alliance on Race Relations was invited to address the 32nd annual general meeting of the Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre (BBNC), an organization that works with a wide range of communities. Malika Mendez, Vice President of UARR, was proud to accept the invitation and act as the keynote speaker for the event.
Malika brought greetings and well wishes for the ongoing success of BBNC from the Board, staff, members and friends of UARR. In addition, she highlighted the commonalities that are intrinsic to new Canadians and more established communities, and shared a message of respect, inclusion, shared humanity, and experiences. She further recommended fighting racism and discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation, age, colour, or ethnic origin by engaging in the political process of voting, lobbying, and becoming involved in a relevant organization.
Both UARR and BBNC share many of the same values of fostering diversity and promoting and practicing non-discrimination.
On behalf of UARR, our congratulations to BBNC, the Board of Directors, Executive Director, staff, members, friends, and program participants.