ITAVCOA Media

Presenter was Bridget Williams Brown- Author and founder of ITAVCOA

Strengthening Our Team. Strengthening Our Impact.

This initiative was created specifically for our ITAVCOA team — a time to reflect, recognize, and celebrate all that we have accomplished while continuing to support our community one step at a time.

Together, we explored what it means to create positive change and how we continue to show up for the communities we serve with purpose, dedication, and commitment.

Our discussions focused on key areas that strengthen our organization, including:

• Strategic Operations
• Operational Management
• Governance Leadership
• Communications and Community Engagement
• Policies and Procedures
• And many other essential areas that support organizational growth and sustainability.

This session provided a deeper understanding of the importance of policies — not just as documents, but as tools that guide accountability, consistency, transparency, and effective decision-making.

We are moving from learning to action, from ideas to implementation, and from individual efforts to collective impact.

By strengthening our operations, building meaningful partnerships, and remaining focused on the needs of our community, ITAVCOA continues to grow as a trusted organization dedicated to:

 1. Empowering individuals
2. Strengthening families
3. Creating opportunities
4. Building stronger communities
5. Creating lasting change

Together, we continue to build a stronger foundation for the future of It Takes A Village Community Outreach and Advocacy Society (ITAVCOA).

Supporting our community. Creating positive change. One step at a time.

ITAVCOA successfully completed our Community Strategy Planning Session with facilitator Clara Coward.

This impactful session brought together voices, ideas, and lived experiences to strengthen our direction and deepen our commitment to the communities we serve. Through meaningful dialogue and collaboration, we explored practical strategies to enhance engagement, build capacity, and create lasting change.

We are grateful for the knowledge shared and the collective energy in the space. This is another step forward in ensuring our work remains community-driven, responsive, and rooted in empowerment.

Our presenter for this event was Dashawn  Smith  Associate  McInnis Cooper - Law Firm. 

Legal compliance is not simply about following rules—it is about protecting the organization, strengthening governance, maintaining public trust, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the mission. Organizations that prioritize compliance are better equipped to serve their communities effectively, responsibly, and ethically.

Legal compliance is essential for every nonprofit organization. It ensures that the organization operates responsibly, ethically, and in accordance with federal, provincial, and municipal laws. Compliance protects the organization, its board members, staff, volunteers, clients, and community stakeholders.

New Beginnings Church Mother's Day celebration was a beautiful gathering of women from our communities who came together to inspire, empower, and share their stories of overcoming hardship and adversity. Their testimonies were filled with courage, resilience, faith, and hope.

Mothers are the heart of our families and communities. They nurture, support, sacrifice, and continue to rise above life's challenges with strength and grace. This celebration reminded us that every mother's journey matters and that our stories have the power to encourage and uplift others.

Thank you to all the amazing women who shared their experiences and reminded us that even through difficult seasons, healing, growth, and triumph are possible.

Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible mothers and mother figures. May you continue to walk in strength, love, and purpose.

Our Cancer Panelist were Albert Stevenson who is our first man to tell his story with Cancer. Margaret Laing, and Cathy Edwards, God bless them for being warriors. 

We were blessed to hear the powerful stories of three incredible individuals living with and surviving cancer. While some continue to battle cancer in their bodies, their journeys remind us of the uncertainty and challenges that so many face each day.

Yet, they continue to fight with faith, believing that God has kept them here for a reason and a purpose. Their stories are reaching hearts, encouraging those who feel vulnerable, afraid, or alone to keep believing and never give up.

These three individuals have shown the strength of a mustard seed—small, yet mighty enough to move mountains. Their courage, resilience, and unwavering faith are truly inspiring.

A special moment of the evening was hearing one of these amazing survivors sing—not once, but twice. Their beautiful voice filled the room with hope, joy, and strength, reminding us that even in the midst of life's greatest battles, there is still a song to be sung.

To these incredible warriors: thank you for sharing your stories, your faith, and your light. Your testimonies are touching lives and inspiring others to keep fighting with hope.

ITAVCOA was honored to host a meaningful Basket Weaving Connections session facilitated by Althea Tolliver and Pam Drummond.

Participants had the opportunity to learn about the rich history and cultural significance of basket weaving within African Nova Scotian communities. The session highlighted the remarkable legacy of Edith Clayton and other respected community basket weavers whose craftsmanship helped preserve an important cultural tradition.

We learned how basket weaving was more than an art form—it was an essential source of income that helped support families and strengthen communities. Many skilled basket makers taught their children and grandchildren the craft, ensuring that the knowledge, techniques, and cultural traditions were passed from one generation to the next. Through their dedication, basket weaving became both a means of financial support and a powerful expression of heritage, resilience, and community pride.

The workshop featured an impressive display of handcrafted items that showcased the creativity and versatility of basket weaving. Participants had the opportunity to view a variety of traditional and decorative pieces, including a baby's rocker, woven bells, baskets of various sizes, wall decorations, card holders, and many other unique creations.

The new ITAVCOA logo was created by Paul Adams Jr., a tremendously talented graphic designer whose creativity and professionalism helped bring the organization's vision to life. His exceptional design work has given ITAVCOA a strong, modern visual identity that reflects its mission of serving and empowering the community.

We proudly recognizes Paul Adams Jr. for creating our new logo. His outstanding creativity, artistic talent, and attention to detail have provided our organization with a professional brand identity that truly reflects who we are and the impact we strive to make in our community. We sincerely thank Paul for his exceptional work and dedication.

He is also an amazing photographer working beside his father at Adam's Photography. 

We would like to thank Carmahn McCalla for the new transformation of our website. Carmahn played a key role in leading the redesign and development of the ITAVCOA website. Her work included a comprehensive user experience (UX) restructuring and a complete design refresh that enhanced the website's functionality, accessibility, and visual appeal. Through her expertise and creativity, she helped strengthen our organization's digital presence, making it easier for community members, partners, volunteers, and stakeholders to access information about our programs, services, and community initiatives.

As BBI celebrates 30 years of influencing growth for Black businesses, the organization continues to champion a vision that extends beyond local markets. Recognizing that scaling businesses is essential to long-term economic success, BBI has made leadership development, business expansion, and innovation central to its mission.

Through its leadership pipeline initiatives, BBI is cultivating the next generation of entrepreneurs, executives, and community leaders who will drive sustainable economic growth across Canada. With a network of organizations operating throughout Atlantic Canada, BBI has built a collaborative ecosystem that transforms ideas into measurable impact.

For three decades, BBI has guided organizations from aspiration to action, equipping Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs with the strategic support, resources, and partnerships needed to thrive. Its commitment is reflected in its work to empower entrepreneurs, strengthen leadership, foster economic inclusion, and deliver diversified strategic services that create lasting opportunities.

As BBI looks to the future, its focus remains clear: to influence growth, expand market opportunities, build resilient leaders, and advance a prosperous, inclusive economy where Black businesses across Canada can scale, compete, and succeed on a national and global stage.

The Painting Across Generations event was a meaningful and creative gathering that brought together participants of all ages in a shared space of artistic expression, learning, and community connection. Hosted by It Takes a Village Community Outreach and Advocacy Society (ITAVCOA), the event focused on bridging generations through the power of art and storytelling.

Renowned artist Carmahn McCalla led the session as the featured facilitator and live painting demonstrator. With a calm and engaging teaching style, Carmahn guided participants step-by-step through creative techniques while encouraging individuality and self-expression. His demonstration highlighted how art can be both therapeutic and unifying across age groups.

Children, youth, adults, and seniors worked side-by-side, sharing ideas, laughter, and encouragement throughout the session. The atmosphere was welcoming and inclusive, allowing participants to explore their creativity regardless of skill level. Many attendees expressed how refreshing it was to participate in an activity that connected families and community members in such a meaningful way.

We were pleased to host a valuable Disability Awareness and Inclusion Training Session facilitated by Clara Coward. This informative workshop provided participants with a deeper understanding of disabilities, accessibility, inclusion, and the importance of creating supportive environments for all members of our community.

Our first Student Food Hamper Event was successfully held at Cole Harbour Place in Cole Harbour. This special event was organized to support students by providing access to nutritious food and essential grocery items to help ease financial pressures and promote student well-being.

Students who attended were able to receive a variety of food items, including fresh vegetables, fruits, cereal, oatmeal, pasta, beans, juice, cookies, and other pantry staples. The event was designed to ensure that students had access to healthy food options while focusing on their education and personal success.

The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive, and many students expressed gratitude for the support they received. The event also provided an opportunity for students to connect with community members and learn about additional resources available through It Takes A Village Community Outreach and Advocacy Society (ITAVCOA).

An Inspiring and Impactful Learning ExperienceWe would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Marlene Ruck Simmonds for facilitating an amazing and informative session for nonprofit organizations.This event provided valuable knowledge, practical tools, and meaningful discussions that will help strengthen the capacity of nonprofit organizations to better serve their communities. Participants gained insights into organizational development, leadership, sustainability, governance, and strategies for creating lasting community impact.The workshop was engaging, informative, and highly beneficial for organizations seeking to enhance their programs, strengthen partnerships, and build long-term sustainability. Attendees left feeling empowered, inspired, and equipped with new ideas and resources to support their important work.Thank you, Dr. Marlene Ruck Simmonds, for sharing your expertise, experience, and passion for community development. Your commitment to supporting nonprofit organizations is greatly appreciated, and the knowledge shared during this session will have a lasting impact on the organizations and communities we serve.

Together, we continue to build stronger organizations and stronger communities.

I was honored to be speaker for SBCCI at the BBI Holiday Event 2025. It was a privilege to how they helped ITAVCOA through supports. We are Truly grateful.

On behalf of Halifax Regional Municipality’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion/ African Nova Scotian Affairs Integration Office, we are pleased to formally notify you that It Takes A Village Community Outreach and Advocacy has been selected as a recipient of an Anti-Black Racism Grant

Constable Sinclair Williams Sr. was the first Black police officer in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, hired by the former Dartmouth Police Department in 1968.