We are seeking your participation in a video project to acknowledge and honor individuals from Black communities across Canada who have been lost to the Covid 19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare long-standing inequities in access to healthcare in Black and racialized communities. Black communities in Canada were disproportionately negatively impacted by the virus, in terms of infection and mortality rate. Black communities also bore a disproportionate economic burden with significant job loss and a higher number of business foreclosures during the pandemic than any other community.
Recognizing the specific need for positive intervention for Black Francophone and Anglophone communities in the greater Montreal region, an initiative to promote COVID-19 awareness and vaccine confidence among Black communities in the Montreal and Laval region was launched in May 2021. This initiative was done in collaboration with the Direction régionale de santé publique (DRSP) of Montreal and Laval, the Centres intégrés universitaires de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) and several individuals, community organizations, and health professionals from Black communities who are mobilized around addressing the systemic issues and obstacles to vaccination. The collaborative developed several tools to promote information, awareness and access, including information townhalls, pop-up vaccine clinics and a powerful 6-part Public Awareness Video campaign which you can view here: http://qbma.ca/vaccination-covid-19/
As we are approaching the second anniversary of the start of the pandemic, the collaborative wishes to use the final video in the series for an In Memoriam Project. The three objectives are to call attention to the disproportionate impact that the COVID-19 had on Black communities across Canada; to honor those we lost during the last two years and put a face to the pandemic and to remind us that these are not statistics or data points on graphs – they are people, whose loss has left a significant impact on the loved ones left behind
We are collecting the names and pictures of the people from Black communities across Canada who passed away as a result of COVID-19. The images and names of the deceased individuals shared with us by their loved ones, will be assembled in a video produced by acclaimed director Jorge Camarotti.
In order to collect this information and amplify this important initiative, we are asking you to please share images and names of loved ones you’ve personally lost to the pandemic, and to also share the following form with individuals within your communities.
• Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Cb6w80rJxuYKXv-Qkxy1IJs0LFNSBW5ujYWckdqsW80/prefill
Please note that the images and information shared through the form will only be used as part of the In Memoriam Project and will not be communicated to another party or for any other purpose.
Discover this video campaign on COVID-19 vaccination featuring heartfelt discussions between members of the Black communities.
Black communities have been among the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts. Pearl, a young mother who immigrated right before the pandemic, and Erika, a stand-up comedian, share what they went through and how they held onto their passions in order to thrive.
In collaboration with: Black Opportunity Fund (BOF), Black Health Alliance, Sommet socio-économique pour le développement des jeunes des communautés noires, Quebec Black Medical association, The Black Community Resource Centre, Jamaican Association of Montreal inc., The McGill Motivational Lab, DRSP de Montréal et de Laval, Ville de Laval.
A communication grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) contributed to the development of the QBMA website.
Produced by Jorge Camarotti.
COVID-19 Vaccination Townhall, Part 3
The Jamaica Association of Montréal presents the 3rd townhall on Covid-19 vaccination. This session focuses on vaccination for children.
Speakers: Seeta Ramdass, Dr Patrick Dolcé and Dr Richard Kostner.
The event was held in english.
COVID-19 Vaccination Townhall, Part 2
Thursday, October 21st 2021, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
The Jamaica Association of Montreal presents the second Townhall meeting on COVID-19 vaccination held on zoom. This second session focuses on the current epidemiologic situation, vaccine hesitancy, the vaccine passport, how vaccines actually work and what scientists know so far.
The event was held in english.
ZOOM conversations on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in the Black communities
The video recording started with our second speaker Dr. Richard Koestner, PhD, who is a psychologist. He spoke the on potential different ways to discuss about the COVID-19 vaccine with those who are hesitant.
The video continues with our 4 panelists which include Dr. Diane Sare, MD, Michael Farkas, Director at Youth in Motion, Dr. Patrick Dolce, MD and President Nosotech, Medical Microbiologist and Infectious Diseases and Dr. Makeda Semret, MD, Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology.
Unfortunately, we were not able to capture our first presenter, Mr. Alix Adrien, who spoke about the situation in the schools as it relates to COVID. Mr. Adrien is the President of the Quebec Board of Black Educators.
Black-Canadian health and medical organizations’ position statement on COVID-19 vaccination
This joint position statement from Black- Canadian health and Black-Canadian medical organizations highlights the issue of COVID-19 vaccine distrust within Black communities.
This statement, that is supported by QBMA and several other Black health or medical organizations, examines the impact of COVID-19 on Black communities, the roots of vaccine distrust and how to build vaccine confidence. It recommends concrete solutions for improving health outcomes for Black populations and encourages Black Canadians to get the vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones.
To read the full document, click here.