Who we are | Issamba Centre

About the Organization

ISSAMBA CENTRE is the home of the African Art & Cultural CCC Inc.

Founded under the 3C Act on October 19, 2012, by Pulchérie Mboussi, the African Art & Cultural CCC Inc. was born from a deep commitment to promoting and celebrating the rich and diverse cultures of Africa and the Caribbean. Pulchérie, originally from Cameroon, Africa, immigrated to Canada in the mid-1980s and has since built a strong reputation as a community leader and cultural advocate. Her passion for African and Caribbean culture continued to flourish after she moved to Victoria, BC, in 2010.

As a Black-Led, Black-Serving, and Black-Oriented organization, our primary mandate is to foster awareness and appreciation for the richness and diversity of African cultures and traditions. We achieve this through a broad range of cultural, educational, and artistic activities, events, and programs. Since 2017, we have been strong advocates for the International Decade for People of African Descent.

Since 2013, we have been actively hosting various activities during Cultural Days, engaging the broader community in celebrating and exploring African cultural heritage.

In 2020, AACCCS-ISSAMBA CENTRE was honored to be mandated by the government of British Columbia to serve as the Community Convener for people of African descent living in the province. Through the BC Resilience Project, we actively work to address and combat the rise of hate and racism. We conducted the first-of-its-kind Black in BC Needs Assessment and produced the Black In BC Report, which can be found on our website: https://www.issambacentre.ca/communityresearch.

Our goals:

The AACCCS-ISSAMBA Centre is dedicated to advancing the development of Black communities in British Columbia. Central to this mission is maintaining a community hub for people of African descent, fostering collaboration between these communities and the broader public. The Centre plays a vital role in bridging Black Canadians and the African Diaspora, particularly in the context of the UN International Decade for People of African Descent.

The Centre is committed to promoting the identity and interests of the African diaspora, organizing activities that highlight significant cultural events and milestones. By supporting projects that expand the scope and impact of initiatives aimed at community development, the Centre also works to inform members about available resources to aid their social, cultural, political, and economic integration within the Greater Victoria area and beyond.

In addition, the Centre is devoted to preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of the African continent, ensuring that the rich traditions and history of African peoples are recognized and honored within Canadian society.

Since our inception, we have successfully organized a variety of impactful events and initiatives that celebrate and support African and Caribbean communities. Key events include La Calebasse du Nomade, offering monthly community dinners and a summer food truck, and African & Caribbean Spirit Nights. We also host the annual African Cultural Week & AfriCa Fest and participate in Culture Days Celebrations.

In 2023, we launched AfriCa Fest Québec, expanding our cultural celebration to a new region and incorporating ISSAMBA CENTRE Québec.

Our Black History Month Community Recognition Awards & Closing Gala honors the contributions of Black Canadians, while the ISSAMBA SHOWCASE brings together world-renowned African musicians and dancers in vibrant, interactive performances.

As the first and only African Cultural Centre and Hub for people of African descent on Vancouver Island, we are proud to serve our community through various initiatives, including Virtual Conversations and Community Research Projects. These projects address critical issues such as the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on the Black community, systemic racism, mental health challenges, and economic empowerment. Our Black in BC Community Convener Project 2021 focuses on implementing themes from the International Decade for People of African Descent, highlighting our commitment to advancing the interests and well-being of Black communities in British Columbia.

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, and to preserve and promote cultural heritage.

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Vision

Our Vision is to be a leading cultural hub that bridges African and Caribbean communities with the broader public, celebrating the rich diversity of African heritage and fostering unity, empowerment, and social inclusion. Through our events, initiatives, and advocacy, we aim to preserve and promote African cultural traditions while advancing the socio-economic development and well-being of Black communities in Canada, ensuring they are integral, valued, and thriving parts of society.