African Ancestry Project
Highlighting the diversity of Black people in BC. It shares our stories in our own voice by centering stories of over 160 project participants. This project aims at bringing awareness to the diversity of people of African ancestry in British Columbia, and inspiring dialogue and action to address social injustices and cultivate a society where everyone feels a greater sense of belonging.
“We hope these resources will inspire dialogue around emergent themes and issues including multiculturalism and anti-racism and contribute towards positive social change. Understanding and acknowledging the diversity of the Black communities is an important step towards building authentic connections.” Alice Mũrage, project director and author of Worlds Within.
The Report
The Documentary
Series
Youth
Dialogue
Worlds Within – Diverse Histories, Identities, and Experiences of Black People of African Ancestry in British Columbia
From the report …
HISTORIES: This chapter includes histories of multi-generational Canadians; The new wave of migration from the 1960’s; and First-generation Canadians. “Everyone who participated in the project claimed a distinct history. These diverse histories contribute to the diverse ways participants identify themselves and describe their lived experiences.”
IDENTITIES: This chapter includes discussions on Black Identities, African identities and the Bicultural dilemma.
“Growing up in a multicultural neighbourhood with friends of similar ethnic backgrounds she never thought of herself as different. It is in high school where most fellow students were white that she started noticing how differently she was raised and consequently how differently she saw the world.”
EXPERIENCES: Participants shared their struggles with their sense of belonging and experiences of isolation as related to societal assumptions of their unbelonging, cultural and racial isolation, lack of representation, and their experiences with racism. They also shared the different ways they cope with multiple intersecting identities and social divisions were discussed based on era, place of residency, skin tone, gender, class, education, profession, language, and accent.
With a forward by Dr. Yabome Gilpin-Jackson
Download the report
Worlds Within – The Documentary
Presented in three chapters, Worlds Within is a documentary of the African Ancestry Project. It invites audiences into the lives of six unique individuals of African ancestry in British Columbia, each carrying stories that echo across continents and generations. Through their journeys, the film explores the themes of Diverse Histories, Diverse Identities, and Diverse Experiences. From migration and belonging to creativity and community, these personal narratives weave together a larger portrait of what it means to be Black in BC today. Inspired by the African Ancestry Project’s research component which uncovered stories of more than 160 participants, this documentary takes a more intimate lens, showing how identity is felt and lived. Filmed on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, Worlds Within is both a celebration and a call: to see, to listen, and to honour the richness of African ancestry in Canada’s Pacific Northwest. Behind every person lies a world of memory, culture, and resilience.
Watch the videos
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Youth Dialogue Series: Youth Perspectives on Identity and Belonging
The Youth Dialogue Series took place between 2022 and 2023 to engage young people in dialogue based on the content of the project’s report Worlds Within. The Series entailed three online events attended by over 30 BIPOC youth between ages 15 and 19 years, mostly in high school, across the Province of British Columbia. The last event was open to the public, attracting attendance by parents, educators and policy makers who heard directly from the youth through a panel discussion.
“Acknowledging a need to engage the youth at a time when they are transitioning to adulthood and actively developing their ideals and personal values in search for their place and contribution to society, the idea of a youth dialogue series was born.” Alice Mũrage, project director and co-editor of Identity and Belonging
From participants and facilitators …
“Despite challenging discussions, the group provided a safe space for everyone to share openly about their struggles. It honestly was such a refreshing experience that exposed me to a myriad of circumstances and ideologies among Black Canadians. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to participate!”
“This meaningful conversation provided a space where the richness and complexity of multiculturalism could be explored and celebrated. This realization challenged any simplistic notions or stereotypes I may have held and emphasized the importance of recognizing and respecting the unique backgrounds and experiences of individuals.”
“Multiculturalism is a continual process, one that requires constant dialogue, reflection, and action. It is about actively engaging with one another, challenging stereotypes, and striving for inclusivity.”
A Call to Action
Youth shared how they face isolation and navigate their complex identities, while older community members and educators contributed their insights and reflections. Through personal narratives and essays, the magazine offers a glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of BIPOC youth, inspiring readers to reflect on their own journeys.
Download the report
About the project:
This project is facilitated by Alice Muthoni Mũrage in partnership with BC Black History Awareness Society. It is funded through the B.C. Multiculturalism Grant, the UBC Partnership Recognition Fund, the SFU Community Engagement Initiative, and contribution from the SFU African Studies Working Group and the SFU Labour Studies Program.
The project became operational in February 2020 beginning with the research component of the project. Research was conducted through a survey, interviews, and focus group discussions until the end of December 2020. Line of inquiry was around participants’ histories, identities, and experiences in British Columbia.
The survey allowed for a quantitative data collection that gave context to the stories that were shared through the interviews and focus group discussions. The survey was completed by 162 people of African ancestry; 40 survey respondents further participated in five focus group discussions and 18 interviews. We are deeply grateful to those who took the time to participate and share their stories.
These stories were woven together in a report to give a glimpse of the vast diversity of people of African ancestry.
Preliminary findings were shared in the African Ancestry Dialogue event held in February 2021.
A community review was conducted between September and October 2021 to seek feedback on how the report resonated and to ensure that shared stories were interpreted and presented as intended. 40 reviewers (including participants of the African Ancestry Project and other community members) shared their feedback through six focus group discussions and two interviews.
Youth Dialogue Series took place in 2022 and 2023 with three online events attended by over 30 BIPOC youth.
The documentary was first screened in September, 2025.
Additional Resources:
*A presentation of key themes explored in the report, Alice Mũrage, project lead and author.
*“We are not a monolith’: New study spotlights diversity in B.C.’s Black community” CBC News article, March 5, 2022
*“Project highlighting diversity among those with African ancestry in B.C. draws attention to experiences of Black workers” SFU interview January 11, 2022
*This project is featured in BC Report on Multiculturalism 2021-2022, p.15-16
“Alice Mũrage discusses the diversity among Black people in BC” The Peak – SFU Student Independent Newspaper, March 14, 2023
*You can reach the project and research lead, Alice Mũrage, by filling out this contact form. For further engagement, follow the project’s Facebook page
