Black History Month: Featured Organizations
- keitu02
- 18 hours ago
- 4 min read
During Black History Month QMUNITY is highlighting and donating to organizations that serve the Black 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Featured organization: Hogan’s Alley
Returning Home: How One Black-led Non-Profit is Creating Affordable Housing and Community Connection for Black People in Vancouver
The western end of Hogan’s Valley (which was once a vibrant Black community located in Strathcona) was demolished, and its residents displaced in order to build an overpass for vehicles in preparation for a new freeway in the 1960s. After the demolition of the large Black community in Hogan’s Valley, few Black people remained in Strathcona. For Black people, by Black people, Hogan’s Alley Society is a Black-led non-profit committed to honouring the memory of Strathcona’s Black residents.
Who They Are
Hogan’s Alley Society operates many programs for Black people, especially dedicating to increasing affordable housing and enhancing cultural connections. Currently, they are the lead operating partner of Nora Hendrix Place, which provides over 50 Black and Indigenous people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Their garden program within Nora Hendrix Place allows residents to care for the community garden, and connect with land and cultural practices.
Other programs for Black people include the housing support program, and the Black/African diaspora cultural program. The housing support program offers support to Black/African people with emergency housing needs, in an attempt to avoid eviction and housing insecurity.
Available to residents of Nora Hendrix Place and non-residents, the Black/African diaspora cultural program offers cultural support, cultural programing, and basic needs support. Some supports they have historically produced include providing Black international students with a supporting and welcoming environment during their studies, holiday hampers for Black community members in need, and walking tours through Hogan’s Valley. This program looks at Ancestral Indigenous African diasporic practices and knowledge, and consults with Elders, teachers, and knowledge-keepers frequently.
However, Hogan’s Alley Society doesn’t only support individuals directly, they also drive research and advocate for policy change that benefits Black communities. They have been involved in developing and presenting innovative solutions for accessible housing for Black community members to several levels of government.
Upcoming Developments
In September 2022, Hogan’s Valley Society signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Vancouver to negotiate a long-term lease for the Hogan’s Alley Block. The organization has committed to developing a non-profit Community Land Trust, which helps to ensure that housing remains affordable and serves the needs of the community.
Part of their dream with the space is to memorialize former inhabitants of Hogan’s Alley, and add to the cultural mosaic of Vancouver. Key aspects of the land trust include providing affordable social housing, a child care centre, space for small businesses, and the development of the Black Cultural Centre.
Support these events!
The non-profit also hosts and promotes events for the community, including several upcoming events for Black History Month, including:
February 6th: Boots to Broadway. A night filled with genre spanning musical journey.
February 7th: Elders in the Margin: The Black and Aging Symposium & Expo. An all day event bringing together experts and community members working with migration, race, aging, cultural wellness, and health equity.
February 7th: Melanin Drag Brunch. Fabulous Black performers who are sure to knock your socks off!
February 10th: Building Belonging: Afrocentric Values in Practice. An online learning session to explore how Afrocentric values shape physical spaces, culture, and community life.
February 21st-22nd: BC African Descent Communities Leadership Summit 2026. An exciting two-day gathering with panelists, keynotes, workshops and cultural showcases.
February 27: Black Futures Month Blackathon. Youth are invited to participate in this year’s Blackathon, where they will be tasked with reimagining Hogan’s Valley to design the future development following the removal of the Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts!
February 28: Black Gold Stepper: Born in Darkness. Crowned in Gold. A night of celebration of African diaspora excellence, creative power, and cultural heritage.
While not all of these events are directly hosted by Hogan’s Alley Society, many of them donate their proceeds to the future development of programs by the organization.
Getting Involved
Supporting Hogan’s Valley Society is as simple as sending them a financial donation through their website! For those who have more time than money, Hogan’s Valley Society benefits greatly from the support of their volunteers, including folks who donate their time to fundraise. Applications to volunteer are accepted on their website.
Hogan’s Alley Society offers school or office presentations, and walking tours. School or office tours are a way to get your community involved in empowering Black-led non-profits. Inquiries for presentations can be emailed to info@hogansalleysociety.org! Or, booking a walking tour with 7-30 of your loved ones is a fantastic way to learn about Black history in Vancouver.
Attending an upcoming event which proceeds benefit Hogan’s Valley Society helps support their non-profit organization with creating affordable housing, building cultural hubs, and fostering a sense of belonging for Black families in Metro Vancouver.
