The Black Manitobans Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) was honoured to attend and actively participate in the Fifth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, convened in Geneva from April 14–17, 2026.
Held under the theme of Reparations and Justice, this global gathering brought together governments, civil society, and leaders committed to advancing justice for people of African descent.
But beyond the formal sessions, one truth became undeniable: We are not just studying history. We are living it.
History, as it is often taught, feels inevitable as though justice was always destined to prevail. But when you are inside it, when you are living it, nothing is guaranteed.
Progress is not automatic. Justice is not inevitable. Recognition is not assured.
It is shaped by decisions. By courage. By voice. And so the question is no longer abstract:
Who will you choose to be when history calls?
A Matter of Survival
For Black people in Canada and across the world, this question is not theoretical.
This is about life and death.
We are not engaging in these conversations for visibility alone. We are not advocating for the sake of dialogue.
We are fighting for survival. We always have been.
From the cradle of Africa to every corner of the diaspora, our history is one of resilience, resistance, and the continuous pursuit of dignity, respect, and protection.
When we say Black Lives Matter, and the response is All Lives Matter, we must be clear: We are not fighting to exclude others. We are not fighting to elevate one group above another.
We are fighting to be protected within systems that have historically and continue to Fail Us.
We are not fighting to fight. We are fighting to live.
Canada: Rights and Reality
Canada recently marked the anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms—a document that guarantees:
- The right to life, liberty, and security
- Protection under the law
- Freedom from discrimination
And yet, there remains a profound gap between these guarantees and lived reality.
Despite representing a small but growing percentage of the population, Black Canadians continue to face systemic inequities:
- Disproportionate representation in the justice system
- Over-policing and under-protection
- Rising anti-Black hate crimes
- Ongoing police violence and systemic barriers
These are not isolated incidents. They are systemic patterns.
This is why the call for Anti-Black Hate legislation in Canada is both urgent and necessary, not as an abstract commitment, but as a clear, enforceable framework that:
- Explicitly names anti-Black racism
- Addresses systemic disparities
- Establishes accountability
- Delivers measurable outcomes
Recognition Without Visibility
We continue to witness the erasure of Black contributions, even in moments of global significance.
In 2026, during a historic international space mission, there was little to no recognition of the first Black person on the team. This is not incidental. It reflects a broader pattern of invisibility that persists across sectors.
Representation without recognition is not progress. Visibility matters.
From Awareness to Systems-Level Change
At the United Nations Forum, one shift was clear: We are moving beyond awareness into systems-level conversations.
No longer simply asking whether discrimination exists, but examining how it manifests in measurable ways:
- Economic access
- Healthcare outcomes
- Infrastructure
- Long-term wealth creation
- Artificial intelligence and digital equity
- Employment disparities
Because this is where real impact lives at the intersection of policy, systems, and lived experience.
This moment also requires us to confront difficult national realities.
At a time when the Charter guarantees protection, equality, and security, emerging legislative and policy directions, including discussions around Bill C-9—raise important questions about how these rights are upheld and experienced, particularly for Black communities.
At the same time, Canada has yet to fully acknowledge its participation in the Transatlantic Slave Trade, or to recognize it as one of the gravest crimes against humanity.
This absence is not merely symbolic. It shapes how we approach:
- Reparatory justice
- Policy design
- Institutional accountability
Because recognition is the foundation of repair.
These systemic gaps are also reflected in our economic reality.
Despite a labour force participation rate of 73.8%—higher than the non-racialized average of 61.3%—Black Canadians continue to face disproportionately high unemployment.
Among Black youth, unemployment reached 23.2% in early 2026.
This is not a question of willingness to work. It is a question of equitable access, opportunity, and systemic inclusion.
From Global Dialogue to Local Action
The work now is ensuring that these conversations do not remain in Geneva.
They must translate into action:
- In our society
- In our markets
- In our institutions
- In our policies
- In the systems we operate in every day
Because progress at the global level only matters if it shows up locally.
A Call to Action
This is a call, not only to reflect, but to act.
A call to Black unity. A call to allies. A call to partners.
To move:
- From endorsement → commitment
- From statements → implementation
- From intention → measurable results
This moment is not about reflection. It is about responsibility. It is about accountability. It is about leadership.
Final Reflection
History will not remember what we intended. It will remember what we built, what we changed, and what we sustained.
Let us build a Canada where equality is not only a constitutional right, but a lived reality.
Because history is calling.
The question is: how will you answer?
Watch the Full Address
We invite you to watch the full speech and hear directly from Dr. Deborah Zita Somakoko, Founder & President of the Black Manitobans Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) on the importance of advancing equity, representation, accountability, and measurable change.
Additional Coverage: Radio-Canada Interview
Dr. Zita Somakoko also spoke with Radio-Canada, where she further highlighted the ongoing realities faced by Black communities globally and here in Canada.
In the interview, she emphasized that 25 years after the Durban Declaration, the conversation has moved beyond awareness and into a moment that demands results. Systemic barriers in employment, access to capital, healthcare, and protection from violence continue to affect Black communities, including in Manitoba.
She also reinforced the need for targeted policies to address anti-Black racism and called for measurable action and accountability from governments and institutions.
Phone: +1-888-973-8403
Email: info@bmbcc.ca
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