Voices & Shields

Your Voice Deserves Protection. Your Community Deserves Better.

Voices and Shields strengthens African, Caribbean, and Black communities in British Columbia to recognize, resist, and respond to hate across digital and physical spaces.

Hate is Rising.
Silence is Not the Answer.

Since 2018, hate crimes in Canada have jumped by 169%. In 2024, police recorded 4,882 incidents, which is only a fraction of what goes unseen.

Black communities in British Columbia are living this reality. The harassment is real. The online misinformation is real. The fear is real. Most of all, the shortage of culturally relevant, community-led resources to deal with it is a critical challenge.

Over 34% of hate crime victims in Canada are under 24. Young people shouldn’t have to face this alone.

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Learn About the Project
What We Do

Built By Community.
Designed to Protect.

Our anti-hate work is rooted in community and built with care. We design every resource alongside the people who need it most, ensuring it stays culturally responsive to our lived reality.

  • Recognize

    Learn how to identify hate speech, online misinformation, and targeted discrimination before it escalates. Know the signs. Trust your instincts.

  • Resist

    Build personal and community resilience through tools, training, and peer networks that affirm your identity, protect your digital spaces, and reduce isolation.

  • Respond

    Know your rights. Know your options. Access reporting pathways, mental health supports, and institutional partnerships that take your experience seriously.

Who This Is For

This Project Was Built With You in Mind.

Voices and Shields centers the people who live this reality every day. Whether you are experiencing hate for the first time or carrying a long history of it, our community is here to support you.

  • Black Youth facing online harassment and digital threats
  • Black Women navigating intersecting discrimination
  • Newcomers and Immigrants learning their rights and accessing support
  • 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Members facing compounded vulnerabilities
  • Community Leaders building safer organizations and institutions
  • Institutional Partners committed to meaningful, equitable change

Serving communities across British Columbia, with a focus on the Lower Mainland.

Survey

Share Your Perpective

We want to hear from African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) community members about their experiences, perspectives, and priorities. This survey should take approximately 5–10 minutes to complete.

Start Survey
Why This Approach Works

Community-Led.
Trauma-Informed.
Culturally Grounded.

Too many anti-hate programs are designed by people who don’t live the experience. Voices and Shields is different

  • Culturally Responsive

    Programming reflects the lived realities, languages, histories, and strengths of African, Caribbean, and Black communities. No generic templates.

  • Trauma-Informed

    We understand that encounters with hate cause real harm. Every touchpoint is designed to minimize re-traumatization and center healing.

  • Digitally Focused

    Hate crimes are increasingly happening online. We equip communities with digital safety skills alongside community-based supports.

  • Evidence-Driven

    Every program element is grounded in current data, research, and community insight. We track what works.

The Numbers Tell a Story We Can't Ignore.

increase in hate crimes in Canada since 2018

police-reported hate crimes in Canada in 2024

share of hate crime victims who are children and youth

#1

race and ethnicity remain the top category of reported hate crimes in Canada

Protection Starts With Participation.

Voices and Shields relies on the power of community. Whether you choose to participate in training, access resources, partner with us, or share our work, your contribution matters.

Join the Community
Access Resources