ABOUT US | Issamba Centre

ABOUT US

About Issamba Centre

Issamba Centre is a Black-led, Black-serving cultural and community organization dedicated to advancing the visibility, understanding, and appreciation of African and Afro-descendant cultures in Canada. Rooted in arts, culture, education, and community leadership, Issamba Centre serves as a dynamic hub where culture becomes a tool for connection, empowerment, and social inclusion.

Through festivals, performances, educational programs, youth leadership initiatives, community dialogues, and cultural markets, Issamba Centre creates accessible and welcoming spaces that bring people together across cultures and generations. Our work strengthens community ties, supports artistic expression, and contributes to a more inclusive and culturally vibrant Canada.

Our History

Issamba Centre was founded under African Art & Cultural Community Contributor CCC Inc. (AACCCS), established on October 19, 2012, by community leader and cultural advocate Pulchérie Mboussi.

Born in Cameroon and deeply rooted in community work in Canada, Pulchérie Mboussi has dedicated her career to preserving African cultural heritage while fostering meaningful engagement between African, Caribbean, and broader Canadian communities. Her vision led to the creation of Issamba Centre as a permanent space for cultural expression, dialogue, and community building.

Since its inception, Issamba Centre has grown into a trusted cultural anchor, delivering impactful programming across British Columbia and Québec while building national and international partnerships.

Our Mission

To advance awareness and understanding of African and Afro-descendant cultures through cultural, educational, and artistic initiatives, while preserving cultural heritage and supporting the social, cultural, and economic well-being of Black communities in Canada.

What We Do

Issamba Centre delivers inclusive, community-driven programming that responds to the lived realities and aspirations of African and Afro-descendant communities. Our work includes:

Arts & Culture: Festivals, performances, exhibitions, and artist residencies that showcase African and Afro-descendant creativity.

Youth Leadership & Education: Programs that foster leadership, cultural pride, mentorship, and civic engagement among youth aged 12–25.

Community Engagement: Dialogues, workshops, and gatherings that promote intercultural understanding, social cohesion, and collective well-being.

Cultural Preservation: Initiatives that honour African heritage, oral traditions, and intergenerational knowledge.

Economic & Creative Empowerment: Support for artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural workers through markets, showcases, and professional development opportunities.

Wherever possible, our activities are free or low-cost, removing barriers to participation and ensuring broad community access.

Our Impact

Issamba Centre plays a vital role in strengthening Canada’s cultural ecosystem by:

Supporting Black artists and cultural workers – Creating opportunities for emerging and established artists to showcase their work, build careers, and access new audiences.
Amplifying underrepresented voices – Providing platforms where African and Afro-descendant stories, histories, and perspectives are seen, heard, and valued.
Connecting communities across cultures and regions – Bringing people together through festivals, performances, dialogues, and programs that foster understanding and belonging.
Advancing anti-racism, equity, and social inclusion – Using arts and culture as tools to challenge systemic barriers and create more just, inclusive communities.
Building long-term community capacity – Strengthening leadership, partnerships, and infrastructure so Black communities can thrive for generations to come.

Our Commitment

We are committed to equity, accessibility, collaboration, and cultural integrity.

Issamba Centre partners with artists, community organizations, public institutions, and funders to ensure that African and Afro-descendant cultures are celebrated, respected, and sustained, today and for generations to come.

With the support of partners, sponsors, and donors, Issamba Centre is able to expand this impact—reaching more youth, supporting more artists, and creating more spaces where African and Afro-descendant cultures are celebrated and recognized across Canada.

our goals

To support projects that increase the scope and impact of action that promote the development of Black Communities in British Columbia.
To maintain a community hub for people of African Descent
To encourage people of African Descent and the public to work together
Bridging Black Canadians & the African Diaspora in celebration of the UN International Decade
Promoting the community’s identity and its interests,
Support projects that increase the scope and impact of action that promote the development of Black Communities in British Columbia
Informing members about existing resources so as to facilitate their social, cultural, political and economic integration in the Greater Victoria area, BC, and Canadian societies
Organizing activities to mark significant events in the national life of African and all People of African Descent community of the Greater Victoria area.
Promoting & preserving our Cultural Heritage of the African Continent
Promote community development and cultural heritage

how we got
here

Since our inception, we have organized the following events with resounding success:

La Calebasse du Nomade - Monthly Community Dinners & Summer Food Truck
African & Caribbean Spirit Nights
African Cultural Week & AfriCa Fest (Victoria, Québec and Surrey)
Culture Days Celebration
Round Table Discussions focused on cultural minorities' challenges and opportunities in Victoria and BC
Black History Month Community Recognition Awards & Closing Gala
ISSAMBA SHOWCASE: ISSAMBA, which means ‘’Come Together’’ in the Béti dialect of Cameroon, is a wonderfully expressive, engaging, and diverse group of world-renowned African-born musicians and dancers. ISSAMBA’s energetic and interactive performances invariably capture the imagination of its audiences, transporting them to the earthy and evocative world of African rhythm and dance.
We are proud to run the first and only African Cultural Centre and a Hub for people of African Descent on Vancouver Island (BC)
Virtual Conversation

our
mission

To advance awareness and understanding of the richness and diversity of African culture and traditions through the promotion of a broad range of cultural, educational and artistic activities, events and programs. To Preserve and Promote Cultural Heritage

That members of the African and Caribbean are and integral and valued part of Canada’s diverse cultural fabric – a community that can prosper and contribute to Canadian society while promoting and preserving their rich culture, history and traditions