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Brand new association to amplify the success stories of Canadian media members of African descent.

Moses Mawa

By Stephen Weir 

Whispers about a new Black media association was being formed was first being heard back in March after a Friday night Toronto get-together with members of the press and community business leaders.  Now, despite the Coronus virus shutdown, it is official, the Black Media Association (BMA) has been born.

On Tuesday the newly formed group sent out an explanatory press release to media outlets across the country. The BMA says that it seeks to engage Black membership from the entire field of Canadian media.  It is committed to assist with the gathering, archiving and disseminating information about the success stories of Canadian people of African descent.  

The founder and chairman of this new association is Moses Mawa (pictured above). He and his wife Patricia own and operate the Toronto based 24-hour Afroglobal Television channel and other media properties.

“ We want to hold face-to-face meetings, of course,” Moses Mawa told me on Wednesday. “  As we grow, there will be (chapters) in the major population centres. Not just in Toronto but Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver and other cities. But, for now it has to be virtual because of the virus. It has to be all  Zoom for starters.”

“ That notice was sent out 24-hours ago and we have already gotten 20 applications,” he continued.  “ There is a real interest in what we are doing, and now that we have a Facebook  Group page (BLACK MEDIA ASSOCIATION)  and Instagram account up, (blackmediacan) we expect many more people to join in!”

According to the new association they are extending membership invitations to  television, radio, newspaper, magazine, film industry and other professionals. Photographers, bloggers and others in the heritage, arts and entertainment sector along with their supporters can become members as well.

“Whether you are a publisher, producer, director, journalist, actor or podcaster, there is likely a room for you,” reads the group’s press release. "There are paid individual and corporate memberships, which have extensive benefits, and associate memberships that are free.”

"One of our main objectives is to ensure that we have one place where African Canadians, especially youth who wish to navigate the media and entertainment landscape, can easily find mentors and networking opportunities." Mawa also sees the non-profit association as a pathway for employers to find talent.

“Because our (media) community is not organized we are missing out on opportunities. There is a wave of Virus 19 advertisements that are being placed (with mainstream media), but not with Black media outlets. There are so many different agencies involved that it is difficult for the Black Media firms to get noticed. If there is a professional well-organized association talking to industry and government, that will change.”

The group is so new that there is still much to be done.  A virtual meeting will be held next month and some key decisions have to be made. Mawa wants to create a volunteer Board of Directors to establish the rules and regulations for the association.

There are some thorny questions facing the association. There is already the 20-year old Canadian Association of Black Journalists which has been advocating on behalf of its members and the Black and Caribbean community in order "to achieve truth, excellence and equality in media". There is also the question of who can join – is it just for African-Canadians or can Caribbean Canadians journalists register too?

“We do know about the CABJ and we do look forward to working with them,” said Mawa. 

As for the group’s eligibility criteria, the CEO thinks the new board might consider having  associate status for people and organizations that don’t tick off all the boxes but are part of the Black media fraternity.

“Take for example Toronto’s Flow Radio,” said Mawa.  “They are not a Black owned station, however, their music and their talent is important to us. They could come in as an associate member.”

Black Media Association Canada was launched simultaneously with the Black Media Association International, on May 25th, which was the 57th anniversary of the African Union. “This is

meaningful as Africa and the Diaspora continue to celebrate the United Nations Decade Of People Of African Descent, which has been endorsed by the Government of Canada, in recognition of the contributions of Black Canadians to the development of the nation.”