Be Part of the 3rd Annual ACT Now! Conference

We are excited to announce that the 3rd Annual ACT Now! conference is coming to Edmonton Alberta from March 19th – 21st 2025. Watch out of registration information. The 2025 conference is being planned to be bigger and more invigorating that the last two conferences. 

In the spirit of Ubuntu, the planning committee is inviting you to submit presentation abstracts so you can contribute to the shared learning and experience.

Early Bird Registration: Now Open!

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Now Open!

Call for Proposals

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Join the movement to redefine mental health through Ubuntu and Africentric traditions. Share your insights, research, and creativity at the 3rd National ACT Now! Conference, dedicated to fostering collective healing and cultural resilience.

Conference Goal

To create a learning environment rooted in traditions and holistic practices with the purpose of exchanging knowledge that promotes the Health & Wellbeing of Black Canadians.

This conference is part of TAIBU’s Amandla Olwazi-The Power of Knowledge (project). Building on existing research around anti-Black racism and its impact in Canada, the project raises awareness of the impact of anti-Black racism on the mental health and wellness of Black communities.

Centering cultural heritage and Africentric knowledge systems, the conference highlights strategies for fostering our strength to thrive against adversity, building strong support networks, and overcoming systemic barriers to mental health care.

Submision Guidelines

Conference Theme Enhancement:

This conference explores transformative ways to integrate Ancestral Traditions & Ubuntu—a philosophy of interconnectedness and collective well-being—into mental health practices. It focuses on communal healing approaches, emphasizing cultural identity, collective responsibility, and empowerment to address mental health challenges in Black communities.Conference Theme Enhancement:

Integrating Ancestral Traditions and Ubuntu:

Explore how ancestral practices and the philosophy of Ubuntu—interconnectedness and collective well-being—can enhance mental health approaches.

Emphasizing Communal Healing:

Highlight the power of collective healing methods that reinforce cultural identity, shared responsibility, and community empowerment.

Centering Cultural Heritage:

Utilize Africentric knowledge systems to address mental health challenges while celebrating and preserving cultural traditions.

Fostering Resilience and Strength:

Discover strategies for overcoming adversity, building support networks, and empowering individuals and communities to thrive.

Addressing Systemic Barriers:

Identify and tackle structural inequities to create equitable access to mental health care for Black communities.

Objectives:

Empowerment and Advocacy:

Equip attendees with knowledge and tools to advocate for mental health wellness within Black communities.

Focus on Mental Health:

Examine the unique mental health challenges faced by Black individuals and communities due to systemic racism.

Community Engagement:

Foster dialogue, network and collaboration among community members, researchers, healthcare professionals, leaders, and activists.

Conference Themes for Submission:

Reclaiming Ancestral Mental Health Traditions for Black Communities

Developing culturally tailored, accessible mental health practices to address the needs of Black Canadians.

Culturally Tailored Healing Practices
Highlighting the role of cultural identity in mental health, reclaiming Africentric traditions, and building resilience against systemic oppression.
Ubuntu and Collectivity in Mental Health Practices
Applying Ubuntu principles to promote collective healing, uplifting, and empowerment within Black communities.
Addressing Systemic Barriers to Mental Health Access
Identifying and overcoming structural barriers to ensure equitable access to mental health services for Black individuals.
Holistic Healing Practices
Integrating Afrocentric, spiritual, faith-based, and community-centered approaches with modern therapeutic methods to foster mental wellness.
Intersectionality, Diversity, and Shared Traditions in Black Communities
  • Acknowledging the richness and diversity within Black communities while emphasizing unity and shared cultural heritage.
  • Exploring how distinct identities and traditions contribute to holistic healing and resilience.
  • How language barriers impact the system navigation for newcomers and refguee populations.

This year’s conference will provide dedicated space and dialogue around Black youth, 2SLGBTQ+, and faith and spirituality. Abstract submissions focused on the above areas will be prioritized.

Submission Guidelines:

We welcome proposals for:

    Poster presentation:

    Poster size should be 48 inches by 60 inches.  Any posters that are larger or smaller will not be accepted.  

    Workshop presentation:

    20 – 30 minutes presentation to allow for 15-20 minutes of discussion and questions.

    Art/visual, poetry, spoken words, video presentation:

    Video information should be 3-5 minutes

     

    Selection Process: All submissions will be reviewed by the ACT Now! Planning Committee. Selected presenters will be notified by January 31, 2025.

      Submission Requirements:

      Your submission must include:

      Full Name (First, Middle, Last)
      Title/Prefix (e.g., Mr., Ms., Dr., Mx., etc.)
      Pronouns (e.g., She/Her, He/Him, They/Them)
      Affiliation (e.g., community organization, academic institution, or other)
      Abstract (400-500 words)
      Video – 3-5 minutes
      Samples of other types of visuals (e.g. art work) Outline the topic, relevance to the conference themes, and intended audience.

      Deadline:

      Submissions must be received by Friday, January 24, 2025, at 11:00 PM EST. Please send your abstracts to  ActNow@taibuchc.ca

        Commitment to Inclusion:

        We strongly encourage submissions from Black individuals of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, including young people, community and faith leaders, healthcare professionals, academics, and those with lived experiences.


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