Voices of Uzima
Participant stories, program news and events from our partner organizations — told by the people who lived them.
Meet Jamaica: empowering Black youth through art and wellness
One of our micro-grant recipients, Jamaica, built the Uzima Art Program around a simple conviction: that art is a way to explore emotion, find your voice and build pride and identity. Alongside painting and performance she runs yoga, meditation and mental health workshops, so the program meets the whole person.
Participants have found solace in the program, discovered hidden talents, and built a supportive community around themselves.
Uzima featured in Now Toronto
Coverage of our decade-long journey supporting vulnerable communities — as a Black-led, women-led charity dismantling barriers and addressing gender-based violence.
2025 Annual Fundraising Dinner
On 8 March 2025 we gathered at the Markham Convention Centre for an evening of connection, performances and community awards honouring people whose service has made a lasting impact.
Black History Fun Extravaganza
Drummers brought the rhythm of African heritage to life, our seniors brought the house down with their dance performances, and MPs Shaun Chen and John McKay and MPP Andrea Hazell joined the celebration.
Annual General Meeting highlights
Seniors, youth and the wider community came together for a day of presentations and intergenerational conversation — and to recognise the volunteers, Uzima staff and KCA staff behind the year's work.
Senior Fun Event
Films, a dance floor, long conversations and shared meals. A reminder that age is just a number when it comes to having a good time — and that connection is the point.
Town Hall meeting, Scarborough
At the Malvern Family Resource Centre, community members and advocates worked through racism, housing insecurity, discrimination, employment barriers and foreign credential recognition.
2024 Annual Fundraising Dinner
An evening at Tropicana Community Services in Scarborough — food, dancing, and awards recognising outstanding contributions to Uzima and the causes it champions.
Leadership Roundtable in Ottawa
Uzima attended Imagine Canada's two-day roundtable on the challenges facing charities in a changing political and economic landscape, with a keynote from Minister Jenna Sudds.
Growing beyond grassroots: the Tropicana conference
Two days on purpose-driven storytelling, data collection, diversifying funding, navigating burnout and building a digital presence — and the networks that come with it.
Staff and board year-end retreat
A strategic planning retreat reflecting on the year's milestones, naming honestly where we can do better, and setting goals for deeper community engagement.
Micro-grant closure dinner
Celebrating the 2023–2024 cohort of micro-grant recipients and the community projects they designed and delivered themselves.
Now Toronto returns — and the 2025 fundraiser
A second feature on our work with women, youth, seniors and marginalized communities, alongside the announcement of the 2025 Annual Fundraiser at JC's Banquet Centre.
What we're watching
Sector and local news our community should know about — gender-based violence, trafficking, mental health and public health across Toronto and Canada.