Back to Our Roots
Back to Our Roots is The Enchanté Network’s national initiative created to strengthen Black queer and trans leadership, visibility, and community across Canada. Rooted in cultural pride and collective liberation, this initiative responds to what Black queer communities have long called for: spaces that reflect our histories, affirm our identities, and support our futures.
Designed by and for Black 2SLGBTQI+ people, Back to Our Roots supports community healing, leadership development, and movement-building — all guided by the belief that Black queer communities deserve infrastructures that are sustainable, community-governed, and rooted in joy.
What the Initiative Does
Across the country, Black queer and trans communities continue to navigate systemic inequities shaped by anti-Black racism, homophobia, transphobia, and barriers in housing, safety, employment, and representation.
Back to Our Roots strengthens Black queer futures by:
Creating intentional spaces for Black queer and trans connection, organizing, and strategy
Building capacity for Black-led 2SLGBTQI+ initiatives and grassroots leaders
Supporting intergenerational learning, mentorship, and leadership pathways
Amplifying Black queer cultural memory, storytelling, and creative expression
Challenging inequities in policy, funding, and institutional practices
This work is grounded in community wisdom, accountability, and a commitment to structural change.
Back to Our Roots is The Enchanté Network’s national initiative created to strengthen Black queer and trans leadership, visibility, and community across Canada. Rooted in cultural pride and collective liberation, this initiative responds to what Black queer communities have long called for: spaces that reflect our histories, affirm our identities, and support our futures.
Designed by and for Black 2SLGBTQI+ people, Back to Our Roots supports community healing, leadership development, and movement-building — all guided by the belief that Black queer communities deserve infrastructures that are sustainable, community-governed, and rooted in joy.
What the Initiative Does
Across the country, Black queer and trans communities continue to navigate systemic inequities shaped by anti-Black racism, homophobia, transphobia, and barriers in housing, safety, employment, and representation.
Back to Our Roots strengthens Black queer futures by:
Creating intentional spaces for Black queer and trans connection, organizing, and strategy
Building capacity for Black-led 2SLGBTQI+ initiatives and grassroots leaders
Supporting intergenerational learning, mentorship, and leadership pathways
Amplifying Black queer cultural memory, storytelling, and creative expression
Challenging inequities in policy, funding, and institutional practices
This work is grounded in community wisdom, accountability, and a commitment to structural change.
A Key Milestone: The Launch of Black Queer Canada
One of the most significant outcomes of Back to Our Roots is the successful launch of Black Queer Canada — a national platform created to uplift and connect Black queer communities from coast to coast to coast.
Black Queer Canada now serves as:
A national hub for Black queer organizing and leadership
A resource and research platform to advance community priorities
A connector linking Black queer initiatives, artists, youth, advocates, and organizations
A collective home for programming that supports Black queer safety, wellbeing, and belonging
The launch of Black Queer Canada is a major step in building long-term infrastructure that ensures Black queer communities can thrive — today and for generations to come.
Back to Our Roots continues to support and strengthen this national ecosystem as it grows.
What’s Next
As the initiative evolves, we are:
Deepening regional engagement and community partnerships
Coordinating national leadership and advisory circles
Expanding programming and capacity-building for Black queer organizers
Developing digital and storytelling projects that celebrate Black queer brilliance
Strengthening the alignment between Back to Our Roots and Black Queer Canada’s ongoing work
This initiative will continue shaping the momentum that began long before its creation — and will continue long after.
Join the Movement
Back to Our Roots is a celebration of Black queer heritage and a commitment to collective liberation. Black Queer Canada stands as a testament to what is possible when community vision, leadership, and action come together.
We invite Black queer community members, allies, organizations, funders, and partners to be part of this next chapter.
Together, we’re building a future where Black queer communities are seen, supported, and thriving across Canada.
A Key Milestone: The Launch of Black Queer Canada
One of the most significant outcomes of Back to Our Roots is the successful launch of Black Queer Canada — a national platform created to uplift and connect Black queer communities from coast to coast to coast.
Black Queer Canada now serves as:
A national hub for Black queer organizing and leadership
A resource and research platform to advance community priorities
A connector linking Black queer initiatives, artists, youth, advocates, and organizations
A collective home for programming that supports Black queer safety, wellbeing, and belonging
The launch of Black Queer Canada is a major step in building long-term infrastructure that ensures Black queer communities can thrive — today and for generations to come.
Back to Our Roots continues to support and strengthen this national ecosystem as it grows.
What’s Next
As the initiative evolves, we are:
Deepening regional engagement and community partnerships
Coordinating national leadership and advisory circles
Expanding programming and capacity-building for Black queer organizers
Developing digital and storytelling projects that celebrate Black queer brilliance
Strengthening the alignment between Back to Our Roots and Black Queer Canada’s ongoing work
This initiative will continue shaping the momentum that began long before its creation — and will continue long after.
Join the Movement
Back to Our Roots is a celebration of Black queer heritage and a commitment to collective liberation. Black Queer Canada stands as a testament to what is possible when community vision, leadership, and action come together.
We invite Black queer community members, allies, organizations, funders, and partners to be part of this next chapter.
Together, we’re building a future where Black queer communities are seen, supported, and thriving across Canada.