Through consultations with more than 10,000 Black people, communities and organizations across the country, the Declaration transformed data from lived experiences into actionable commitments that were presented to national leaders and members of Parliament last November.
It harnesses the results of community‑driven research to create better policies.
“As society grapples with these deep inequalities, as well as rising polarization and other rapid changes, turning research insights into evidence‑driven policies is critical to confronting inequities and delivering measurable, lasting change,” says Professor Jude Mary Cénat, director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health (ICBH), alongside colleagues from the centre’s leadership committee, Professor Idrissa Beogo and Professor Josephine Etowa. This uOttawa centre is spearheading the community initiative.
Data rooted in reality
For Cénat, the strength of the Declaration lies in its origins: “Its power comes directly from the thousands who showed up for us — sharing their realities, providing the data that made this work possible, and supporting the development of the final statement.”
To build that trust, the researchers partnered with Black religious communities and leaders across Canada. “We know there is a lot of mistrust toward the health‑care system in Black communities,” he says. “To succeed, we had to reach people in places where they felt safe enough to speak openly.”
“It’s not often you hear about collaboration between religion and research. But in our case, it was a huge success. It gave us access to an established network connecting thousands of Black people across the country.”
Professor Jude Mary Cénat
— Director, Interdicisplinary Centre for Black Health
This unprecedented collaboration resulted in a robust foundation of qualitative and quantitative evidence that exposes the systemic racism and inequities Black people face daily in Canada. But turning this data into actionable insights was no small feat.
Etowa points to research on the disproportionate impact of HIV in Black communities. “For more than a decade, we’ve seen HIV affect our communities at far higher rates, with Black Canadians carrying about 25% of the disease burden,” she says, stressing that insight without action isn't enough.
“Existing programs, policies, and educational efforts clearly aren't resonating,” she stresses. “Add to that systemic barriers, discriminatory practices in health institutions, community mistrust, and cultural misalignment, and it’s clear these disparities will only deepen.”
Beogo emphasized the importance of building a database that focused on key issues like HIV affecting Black communities – something that had not existed before. “Good policy depends on good data that clearly identifies the solutions people and communities need.”
Thanks to the strength of their data, combined with insights collected from over 30 years of consultations with Black communities, the team was able to elaborate 24 concrete recommendations, which ranged from broad commitments to address systemic inequities, to investments that strengthen communities and programs that support physical and mental health, and to ways to address Black-specific health disparities.
“Mobilizing for this collective change requires building capacity within the community.”
Professor Josephine Etowa
— Faculty of Health Sciences
Action rooted in community
The Declaration was presented to the federal minister of health, alongside senators, members of Parliament and national leaders on November 20, 2025, at a signing ceremony was held on uOttawa’s campus. “Being located in Ottawa gives us both an opportunity and a responsibility to bring our research directly to decision-makers,” says Cénat. “Policy must reflect the challenges our community faces.”
During the signing ceremony, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, reflected on the impact of the Declaration. “Even though our society has made significant progress, racism remains a key factor influencing health outcomes. The Ottawa Declaration on Black Health will help foster meaningful and ongoing dialogue and collaboration.” Getting to the heart of the initiative, she added that, “When the Black community comes together to address the challenges it faces, everyone benefits and Canada prospers.”
Reaching this milestone required the full strength of the ICBH network. The team spoke gratefully of their world‑renowned collaborators, which included Awad Ibrahim, Lisa Caulley, Smita Pakhalé, Sony Singh, Sharon Whiting and Monnica Williams. Their support helped bring the Declaration into the hands of policymakers.
Since its signing, momentum has only increased. The ICBH has become a leading hub for Black health research, anchored by a strong network of scholars generating vital data to inform public policy, clinical practice, and health services for Black communities in Canada.
The team has been approached by senators, MPs, businesses, health organizations, hospitals, professional associations and community groups from across Canada seeking to learn more, consult on specific issues and explore ways to adopt the Declaration’s commitments.
“Removing systemic barriers to health equity is necessary to build a sustainable and inclusive future.”
Professor Idrissa Beogo
— Faculty of Health Sciences
“It’s become bigger than the Centre,” says Cénat. “It’s now a shared tool, owned by the population. The future is open, and our work with governments at the policy level is important, but we must remain grounded in the needs of our community.”
“Mobilizing for this collective change requires building capacity within the community,” says Etowa, stressing the need for community education. “It's about health literacy and data sovereignty. It's about building critical awareness and empowering our communities to be their own resource.”
Beogo adds: “There’s a real economic cost to maintaining the status quo – from increased strain on the health‑care system to the loss of human capital across the Canadian economy. Removing systemic barriers to health equity is necessary to build a sustainable and inclusive future.”
Unknowingly, Beogo echoes a powerful line from Senator Sharon Burey's official statement on the Declaration: “For it is when we throw off the shackles of caste and class that we can liberate our minds and experience, as Canadians, the totality of what it means to be a Canadian and what it means to truly unleash the potential and promise of this great country.”