This Black History Month, the Ontario AIDS Network (OAN) honours the histories, leadership, and resilience of Black communities across Ontario. We recognize the vital contributions of African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) people, especially people living with HIV, peer leaders, frontline workers, and advocates, who continue to shape a stronger and more just HIV response.

We also name what must change. Anti-Black racism and systemic inequities continue to impact access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and support.

In Ontario, ACB people represented 29.8% of first-time HIV diagnoses in 2022, according to provincial data. Research also shows that these disproportionate impacts are shaped by social determinants of health, stigma, and structural barriers.

The OAN is committed to challenging anti-Black racism within Ontario’s community-based HIV sector and across the broader health system. Through our Anti-Black Racism Working Group, we are strengthening accountability, learning, and action across our network. We are moving forward with our collaboration with the Rainbow Diversity Institute (RDI) to develop the asynchronous ABR training and toolkit.

This month and all year, we encourage our partners and communities to uplift Black-led HIV work, invest in Black-led solutions, and take concrete steps toward equity, dignity, and care for all.

Resources:
OAN Black History Month resources
OAN Challenging Anti-Black Racism