Anti-Black Racism
Anti-Black racism is systemically embedded in Canadian society and across our healthcare system. At Holland Bloorview, we have committed to confronting anti-Black racism across our hospital and beyond our walls. Our efforts are aligned with Ontario Health, the Toronto Academic Health Science Network, and other health system organizations that have committed to coordinating broad anti-racist education and action.
In the summer of 2022, as part of our ongoing commitment to address anti-Black racism at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, and to address the harmful experiences that Black employees have had, we commissioned Dr. Notissa Massaquoi, an independent, highly respected expert on anti-Black racism, to help us better understand the experience of Black employees at all levels of the hospital - from clinical and non-clinical staff at the point of care, to hospital leadership, and all points in-between. The Black Employee Experience Report 2023 was the result and was released to hospital employees in March 2023. Created with input from Black staff at Holland Bloorview, the report highlighted the need to urgently address structural anti-Black racism to create an inclusive and equitable environment where everyone can enjoy a sense of mutual belonging and respect.
In order to address the harmful experiences that Black employees have had, an organization-level response, inclusive of activities to implement over the next 18 months was launched in September 2023. The Roadmap to Confront Anti-Black Racism at Holland Bloorview (PDF) is based on recommendations that were generated by the participants from individual interviews, focus groups and suggestions provided anonymously by Black employees. The Roadmap can therefore be regarded as a Black employee informed guide to direct future education, decision making and long-term strategies for addressing anti-Black racism at all levels of the hospital.
Holland Bloorview board and senior leaders have advanced key accountability strategies including:
- Required anti-Black racism eLearning for all people leaders and board members.
- The creation of a confidential reporting process for discrimination and harassment.
- Executive-level leadership of social accountability and anti-racism efforts.
Progress is monitored through demographic workforce surveys, regular audits of policies and practices, and guidance from the Black employee resource group, formed in August 2024 and continued engagement of external Black health supporting organizations to create opportunities for partnership and learning. These measures ensure transparency, inform targeted education, and drive continuous policy and culture change across the organization.
As a first of the many steps required to dismantle anti-Black racism in healthcare, as of April 2023 onwards, all Holland Bloorview staff and volunteers were required to complete the Introduction to Anti-Black racism e-learning module which is re-assigned every three years. The e-module was developed by the Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN) and shared with all partner hospitals for their use.
- We host an annual Anti-Racism Education Series now in its 5th year, which presents topics focusing on the effect of racist structures and practices on Black and Indigenous peoples, intersectionality, and how to advocate for anti-racist practices.
- An anti-racism implementation specialist provides ongoing consultation and education at the individual and group level around embedding anti-racist practices in their work with clients, families and colleagues.
- Black History Month is celebrated annually. In February 2025, the Pan African flag was raised at Holland Bloorview for the first time.
- We develop resources for staff families, clients and staff which address racism. Please go to our Anti-Racism Learning Series and Education page as well as our Truth and Reconciliation page for specific tipsheets.
In February 2025, Holland Bloorview hosted Connect the Gap - an information fair featuring Black-led community health centres and organizations providing services to Black, African and Caribbean communities.
Organized by Holland Bloorview’s inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and anti-racism (IDEAA) team, the fair provided a platform for collaboration, networking and shared learning. Beyond networking, the fair also served as an opportunity to educate health-care providers about the impact of anti-Black racism in health care and disability. See here for a list of participating organizations and resources that were shared with clinicians.
This initiative is part of Holland Bloorview's broader strategy to ensure that Black health and that of other equity deserving groups is prioritized and that health-care services are inclusive and equitable.
