Our Event Calendar
February 20th, 2027
Time: 10 am – 3 pm
4th Annual Radiant Roots Event – A Black Cultural Expo
Innisfil ideaLAB & Library, Innisfil
October 24th, 2026
Time: 1 pm – 3:30 pm
Discover Local Black Voices – Rhythm, Stories & Song – Midland Public Library.
September 29th, 2026
Time: 4pm – 6pm
Black Health Art Workshop (be part of the creative team for our new Black Healthcare brochure)
MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie.
September 19th, 2026
Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Black Health Art Workshop (be part of the creative team for our new Black Healthcare brochure)
MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie.
September 12th, 2026
Time: Anytime between 10 am and 2 pm
Black Coffee
Sheffield Black History & Cultural Museum, just past Collingwood.
June 4th, 2026
Black Coffee – Alliston: Alliston Library (17 Victoria St. E, Alliston)
May 14th, 2026
Black Coffee – Midland: Midland Library (320 King St, Midland)
April 22, 2026
Black Coffee – Collingwood: Bedward Jerk House (10 Keith Ave, Unit #205, Collingwood)
Thursday Feb 12th, 2026. Time: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Racism in Healthcare Panel Event – MacLaren Art Centre
Saturday, February 28th, 2026. Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Radiant Roots: 3rd Annual Black Cultural Expo – Innisfil ideaLAB & Library
Saturday, June 14, 2025 Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Footsteps To Freedom – A Local Black History Bus Tour
For more info & tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/footsteps-to-freedom-a-local-black-history-bus-tour-tickets-1285229609359
Saturday, March 1st, 2025. Time: 10 am – 3 pm
Radiant Roots – A Black Cultural Expo
Returning for 2025
February 7th, 2025 Time: 6:30 pm – 9 pm
Canvas For Change – MacLaren Art Centre
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 Time: 7 pm – 9 pm
Vibe & Thrive – Black Mentor Speaker Series for Youth
This inspiring event will occur at Shak’s World in Barrie and feature well-known Black mentors from the music and sports worlds. We aim to empower local Black youth by offering them real-life insights, mentorship, and encouragement to help them make positive future decisions. Another similar event will be held in February.
Saturday, Aug 3
Footsteps to Freedom – Local Black History Bus Tour
This impactful bus tour features 3 key stops in the learning journey of our local Black history in and around Simcoe County. This 6 ½ hr tour includes lunch and stops at 3 historical locations such as the Oro African Church & the Sheffield Black History Museum.
Tickets available on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/footsteps-to-freedom-a-local-black-history-bus-tour-tickets-920933887047
Saturday, June 15
Footsteps to Freedom Local Black History Bus Tour Preview
Thursday, April 25
Black Coffee – Black community members gather for coffee, share stories, have conversations, and laugh over coffee. More Black coffee gatherings to come!
April 24
Take a Stanza – a youth poetry and empowerment event held at the Collingwood Public Library in partnership with the Collingwood YMCA & the Town of Collingwood.
March 2nd, 2024
Radiant Roots is a Black Cultural Expo, Innisfil ideaLAB & Library; Innisfil
This is a celebration of our Black culture with local Black business vendors, entertainment, crafts, speakers and a fashion show for the whole family. More details on our Black History Month page (link to the Radiant Roots page/in the community)
February 17th, 2024
Cultural Tile Mosaic Project, New Tech Public Library; Alliston
For the whole family, register with the link (https://ntpl.ca/events-calendar/month/2024-02/)
We come together with no art experience and share the things about our culture that spark conversations. Everyone gets to paint on 4X4 wooden tiles, which are included in the experience. After the Cultural Tile Project journey, the created tiles are added to the Cultures Across Simcoe County mural.
February 16th, 2024
Canvas For Change, A Black Youth Art Showcase, MacLaren Art Centre; Barrie
This art exhibit aims to celebrate the artistic talents of creative Black youth in Simcoe County who use art to amplify their voice. Students have previously worked with visual artist and influencer Ashante Blackwood to prepare their art for the exhibit.
(artisticlifestyle6@gmail.com)
February 1st, 2024
Canvas For Change, A Black Youth Art Showcase, MacLaren Art Centre; Barrie
This art exhibit aims to celebrate the artistic talents of creative Black youth in Simcoe County who use art to amplify their voice. Students have previously worked with visual artist and influencer Ashante Blackwood to prepare their art for the exhibit. (artisticlifestyle6@gmail.com)
December 16th 2023 Time: 6:00pm – 9:30pm
Diversity Holiday Gala at the Best Western Plus Mariposa Conference Centre (Hosted by the Orillia & Area Black Community Assoc.) join us for a spectacular evening of celebration during this festive season filled with joy , laughter and cultural riches. Tickets available at EventBrite.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/orillia-area-black-community-association-73728561343
December 9th Time: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
We are hosting our AGM and holiday Christmas party, Barrie.
December 7th Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Documentary Screening of Black Life – Untold Stories at Uplift Black Centre, 12 Dunlop St, Barrie. This is an four-part documentary series that reframes the rich and complex histories of Black experiences in Canada. We will be watching the first 2 episodes on Nov 30 and the next 2 on Dec 7, with authentic Ethiopian coffee provided.
November 30th Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Documentary Screening of Black Life – Untold Stories at Uplift Black Centre, 12 Dunlop St, Barrie. This is an four-part documentary series that reframes the rich and complex histories of Black experiences in Canada. We will be watching the first 2 episodes on Nov 30 and the next 2 on Dec 7, with authentic Ethiopian coffee provided.
November 9th Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Barrie Service Partner Pop-Up at the Barrie Public Library; many community service providers throughout Barrie (including Making Change) were on hand to celebrate the importance of the resource each of our organizations provide.
November 7th Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Black Coffee at Innisfil Starbucks – Where Black women can gather together chat, share stories and connect, it will be a regular event for Making Change. Next on will be in January.
Sunday October 15th Time: 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Connecting Neighbours Community Event at Georgian College. This event was for providing off-campus connection for International Students to help students to explore the wider community beyond the campus in order to help them become aware of community services and supports systems.
Wednesday Oct 11th Time: 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Cultural Tile Mosaic Project, Innisfil ideaLAB & Library
Seniors can drop-in and create an original artwork that showcases your cultural expression! Using a wooden 4X4 tiIe and paint, bring to life who you are; no previous art experience required. Imagine if you could show what your culture means to you in a painted tile and that piece became part of a larger mosaic project called “Culture Across Our County”- this is your chance!
Saturday October 7 Time: 1:00pm – 3:30pm
Cultural Tile Mosaic Project, MacLaren Art Centre
Drop-in and create an original artwork that showcases your cultural expression! Using a wooden 4X4 tiIe and paint, bring to life who you are; no previous art experience required. Imagine if you could show what your culture means to you in a painted tile and that piece became part of a larger mosaic project called “Culture Across Our County”- this is your chance! All ages are welcome
October 3 – 12th. Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Culture Days at Georgian College; Orillia, Barrie and Collingwood Campus
Students were creating artistic expressions of the culture on 4X4 wooden tiles, over 200 tiles were collected
Saturday September 23rd Time: 10:30am – 12pm
Cultural Tile Mosaic Project, Orillia Public Library
Drop-in and create an original artwork that showcases your cultural expression! Using a wooden 4X4 tiIe and paint, bring to life who you are; no previous art experience required. Imagine if you could show what your culture means to you in a painted tile and that piece became part of a larger mosaic project called “Culture Across Our County”- this is your chance! All ages are welcome
Saturday September 2 at 2pm
Grant Recognition Ceremony, MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie-Innisfil
MPP Andrea Khanjin will be at the MacLaren Art Centre to recognize, with Making Change, a local Black-led non-profit organization, the positive effect of their Ontario Trillium Foundation grant. Over the past year Making Change has achieved growth, culturally meaningful programs and community engagement which has made a deep impact throughout Simcoe County.
https://innisfil.bibliocommons.com/events/64e37f1c01da5e29003b0222
Saturday Aug 26, 2023
Mosaic Nights Persian Festival, Riverdale Park, Alliston
Making Change is on hand with craft activities for the whole family including Cultural Tile Mosaic, our Diversity Tapestry and Create a bean self-portrait from 5-8pm. Mosaic Nights Festival is a series of cultural festivals hosted by Ethnic Mosaic Alliance featuring live entertainment, food vendors and a cultural film presentation at dusk outdoors
April 15, 2023
New Tecumseth Public Library
Black History Month – Mosaic of Black Culture
An event for families that featured learning around local Black history, steel pan music by performer D’Jango Pan Fyah and crafts for the kids, including our Diversity Tapestry on hand
February 25, 2023
Feb 25 – Wasaga Beach RecPlex & MacLaren Art Centre
February 11, 2023
Innisfil ideaLAB & Library
February 16, 2023
Lunch & Learn session – Starting the Conversation: If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes
February 18, 2023
Essa Public Library & Orillia Public Library
February 19, 2023
Bradford Public Library
February
Georgian College Black History Month presentation & panel
Event by Making Change
March
If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes – Leading a Conversation in Essa
If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes – Leading a Conversation in Aurora
What is White Privilege? A presentation by Madelaine Khan
Event hosted by Simcoe County
May
If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes – Leading a Conversation in Hamilton
August
Kempenfest Barrie Event
Making Change hosted a performance by Carnival Spice, had an info booth with the Diversity Tapestry on hand
August
Moving Towards Allyship – Understanding Anti-Black Racism in the Community
Hosted by Innisfil ideaLAB and Library
Event by Making Change
August
Carnivale North Collingwood – an event showcasing Black Culture
Making Change had an info booth with the Diversity Tapestry on hand
June
Rose Tinted Shades – Art Engagement Project (Changing the Narrative Through Dramatic Arts)
Event by Making Change
May
If Nothing Changes Nothing Changes
Event by Orillia Public Library
March
Virtual family Sunday: caribbean paper masks in partnership with maclaren art centre
Event by Making Change
February
Tuesday Takeover with Making Change
Event by Innisfil ideaLAB and Library
February
Virtual family Sunday: all in the message- presented in partnership with Maclaren Art Centre
Event by Making Change
February
We Are Here – Orillia Black History Month panel
Event by Making Change
February
If Nothing Changes Nothing Changes
Event by Innisfil ideaLAB and Library
August
If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes
Event hosted by Barrie Chamber of Commerce
September
If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes – Intro to Anti-Black Racism Business Edition
Event by Making Change
November
If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes – Leading a Conversation in Bradford West Gwillimbury
Event by Making Change
November
If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes – Leading a Conversation in New Tecumseth
Event by Making Change
December
Annual General Meeting – Making Change SC
January
Open to change: community panel
Innisfil ideaLAB and library
Event by Our Mosaic Lives
January
Making Change Barrie council presentation
Barrie city hall
Event by Making Change
February
Community Conversations: Better Conversation – Titi Akinsanmi
Barrie Public Library
Event by Our Mosaic Lives
February
Voices from Black Women in business -keynote and panel
Sandbox centre Barrie
Event by Making Change
February
Art exhibit- Celebrating Black Canadian Women and Girls
Innisfil ideaLAB and Library
Event by Our Mosaic Lives
February
Black History Month Celebration
Five Points Theatre, Barrie
Event by Making Change
July
Brother to Brother: A Community Conversation
Event by Making Change
November
Culture Days After Party – Making Change presents Caribbean Dance Showcase with Carnival Spice
Event by Making Change
November
Culture Days After Party – Making Change presents Jules (opening for Feelin’ Good Band)
Event by Making Change
