Vancouver is often considered to be one of the loneliest cities in Canada, but a collective of Black women is determined to change that.

Black Women Connect facilitates events that allow Black women to come together to create community and build lasting relationships. Founder Nataizya Mukwavi originally started the project in 2017 as a way to bring her own circle together, but things quickly took off into something much bigger.

“I was actually doing it initially as get-togethers with some friends who would bring their friends, and it was very small,” she explains on a call. “I just thought that there was a lack of community for Black women that didn’t involve it being political or business-oriented. There was never really anything where we can talk about our mental health or just enjoy time together.”

The Vancouver chapter (there is now also one in Victoria) holds a mix of pop-ups and annual events—everything from spin classes to private movie screenings and brunches.

“We’re able to create a community for those who either are new to the city or have grown up here and never could find a space that they could fit in,” Mukwavi says. “Now it’s become the largest Black collective in Vancouver.”

Black Woman Connect also focuses on the younger generation through an annual conference for Black girls from Grades 8 to 12. 

This year’s Empowered Black Girl conference, led by program director Adaeze Oputa-Anu, is being held from July 4 to 6. This theme of Taking up Space is meant to highlight healthy self-esteem, self-acceptance, and confidence through four pillars: community development, health and wellness, personal development, and mentorship. Attendees will participate in workshops on mental health awareness, career exploration, and personal care.

Mukwavi says that she’s thrilled they get to host events like this for teenagers.

“Mentorship has always been really important to me; growing up when I was a young girl, I had a lot of mentors around me,” she says. “That’s something that, when I started Black Women Connect, I eventually wanted to start doing for Black teen girls.”

Going forward, Mukwavi hopes they are able to expand and open chapters in more cities.

“Each city functions differently; they have their own things in their area,” she explains. “It would be nice for each area to be able to have their own way of doing things, but still collectively be doing the same mission.”

Mukwavi is particularly proud of the positive impact that Black Women Connect has had on local Black women and girls.

“My favourite part is hearing people’s stories of how they’ve connected with other women, how they’ve grown themselves personally within the organization,” she says. “I love hearing stories of how people have found their own friend groups out of it and just seeing how people continually find ways to navigate the city.”

Empowered Black Girl by Black Women Connect

When: July 4 to 6

Where: Best Buy Headquarters Vancouver

Tickets: Information available here