Are you angered that black people are dying at the hands of police in disproportionate numbers? You want to support the Black Lives Matter movement but have no idea where to start? I feel the same way. There is so much we can do to chip away at the systemic racism, and maybe one of the easiest places to start is by supporting local black-owned businesses, influencers, events and charities. I’ve been collecting information over the last few days, and I’m adding it here. This is a living document, so please write to me if you think I need to add something or change my approach. **Please pardon any typos, I am writing this at lightning speed while also being a mama to very demanding infant**
Charitable organizations
I’m still doing research right now. I plan on making a donation myself but I need to figure out where I’d like to put my money. Check back in a day or two and I will have a more complete picture. However, for the time being, the most complete list for Montreal based racial justice charities is on this google sheet. If you know about a noble cause, please write to me @mtlveg.
Update: I donated to Canadian Association of Black Journalists because I believe in the important of diverse journalism and story telling in mainstream media. I also donated to Tyndale St-Georges Nonprofit Community Centre in Little Burgundy, the heart of Montreal’s oldest black community. They have great family and career programming.
Les Fourchettes de l’Espoir
Les Fourchettes de l’espoir sont nées en février 2001, comme une entreprise d’économie sociale, provenant de l’idée des deux cofondatrices de donner à la population de Montréal-Nord des services de qualité en sécurité alimentaire et de saines habitudes de vie. http://fourchettesdelespoir.ca/
Restaurants
There are many many lists of amazing black-owned restaurants in Montreal. I’ll point to the existing lists that I know about and include a few of my personal favourite (vegan-friendly) places below.
The most complete list that currently exists is here: google doc.
Another list on Narcity: Cette montréalaise crée une liste de 67 restos à Montréal pour soutenir le #BlackOwn
My (vegan-friendly) favourites
Caribbean Curry House
One of my favourite restaurants in the city. They have delicious vegetarian (probably vegan) roti options. The new owners are the just sweetest little family who has donated lots of food for COVID-19. Show them some love! Côte-des-Neiges 6892 Victoria Ave, Montreal, Quebec H3W 1B8 @caribbeancurryhousemtl https://www.maisonducari.com
Le Nil Bleu Plateau
Delicious Ethiopian food. Vegan and Gluten-free friendly. 3706 St Denis St, Montreal, Quebec H2X 3L7 @restaurant_nilbleu Everyday 12:00pm – 9:30pm (514) 285-4628 https://www.nilbleurestaurant.com/ H2X 3L7
Lloydie’s
Carribean food with two vegan plates and vegan patties (one of the few around). Mile End: 66 Rue Saint Viateur O, Montréal, QC H2T 2K8
Downtown: 2145 Rue Crescent, Montreal Qc, H3G 2C1
Restaurant Queen Sheba
Another fantastic Ethiopian restaurant in the Plateau (closer to Mile End). Vegan & Gluten-free friendly. 4525 Park Ave, Montreal, Quebec H2V 4E4 @restaurantqueensheba https://www.facebook.com/restaurantqueensheba/ H2V 4E4
Shopping
Resources
Article from La Presse, highlighting a few black-owned businesses in Quebec: Le lumineux «panier noir»
Goodee
GOODEE is a leading curated marketplace where good design and good purpose come together. From home decor to personal care, each beautiful, essential, and timeless item is carefully selected and vetted by our in-house sustainability team. Founded in 2017 by designers and creative directors Byron and Dexter Peart. https://www.goodeeworld.com/
Nagi Cosmetics
A make-up line that initially meets the needs of women of colour so that they have a range of products respecting their skin and pigmentation while offering products to women of other origins. Sold online and at Jean Coutu and Uniprix. https://nagicosmetics.com/
Shopping: Groceries
Jardins Lakou
Baskets of vegetables typical to Africa and the Caribbean, cultivated in Quebec. https://www.jardinslakou.ca/
Yasolo – Fine Épicerie Exotique
Grocery store: Afro-Quebecer culinary experience that rallies the diverse black identities that are at the core of the very fabric of Quebec’s rich and cultural society. 3761 Notre-Dame Ouest Montreal, Quebec H4C 1P8 https://www.facebook.com/pg/epicerieyasolo
Influencers & Public Figures
Article on Narcity: 6 personnalités québécoises à suivre pour s’éduquer sur les enjeux du racisme
Jessica Prudencio
Self-description: grosse féministe pro-black, anti-raciste et body positive. Jessica is also the creator of Where we at Podcast where you can tune into to learn about BIPOC issues in Montreal. I have a podcast list below.
Fabrice Vil
A Montreal public figure actively involved in fighting racism. He recently hosted a documentary for Tele-Quebec called Briser Le Code, an excellent place to educate friends and family about what it’s like to be a visible minority in Quebec.
Georges Laraque
I have to include George Laraque because this is a plant-based blog after all. Former NHL athlete, Georges is an important figure in the vegan community in Montreal. He also uses his platform to talk about racism in Quebec and the NHL. He’s awesome! He is also co-owner of risekombucha.com & oraki.ca
Films & Podcasts
Briser Le Code – Feature length documents
Watch here. Briser le code est un documentaire qui vise à faire prendre conscience à la majorité québécoise qu’il existe encore en 2019, pour les personnes racisées et autochtones, un code à suivre. Un code pour éviter le plus possible d’être discriminées, un code pour ne pas déranger… Car même si le Québec est l’un des endroits les plus ouverts au monde, il n’est pas parfait.
Woke of whateva podcast (bilingual)
Black women talking their sh*t. We read, analyze, deconstruct, concepts of race. We’re what the kids call woke or whateva.
Where we at podcast (mostly French)
Photo by Maria Oswalt on Unsplash
