Metro Vancouver’s Black Population Surges But Faces Connection Challenges
The Black population across Metro Vancouver has grown significantly, yet many residents still feel isolated and are searching for stronger community ties. Data from Statistics Canada shows the Black community in the region expanded by about 38 per cent between 2016 and 2021, reaching over 41,000 people — a shift that challenges the misconception that there are few Black residents in the area. Across all of British Columbia, the Black population grew by roughly 42 per cent over the same period.
Many newcomers, including people like corporate controller and content creator Viccy Birungi Namuyomba, say the change is noticeable. After moving to Metro Vancouver eight years ago, she says it’s less common now to feel completely alone as a Black resident compared with her early years in the city.
History and the Legacy of Hogan’s Alley
Despite the increase in numbers, connecting socially and culturally can still be difficult. Scholars point to the lack of a distinct Black neighbourhood in Vancouver — something that other major cities have historically had — as one factor that makes community building harder. Vancouver’s once-vibrant Hogan’s Alley neighbourhood was a hub for Black families and businesses in the early 20th century, but was demolished by the 1970s for infrastructure projects, scattering the community.
Community leaders say that the loss of Hogan’s Alley left a lasting effect, contributing to feelings of erasure and isolation among Black residents. Without a designated cultural centre or neighbourhood where people can easily gather, many feel they must work harder to create connections and visibility.
Grassroots Efforts to Build Community
Experts and community organisers are stepping up efforts to bridge that gap. The Centre for Integration of African Immigrants in New Westminster, for example, hosts programs ranging from job fairs to celebrations of Black History Month, offering a space for residents to meet and support one another.
Events brought together by groups like the Black Block Association — known for its annual summer festival at the Vancouver Art Gallery — also help raise the community’s profile and provide opportunities to connect, though funding and resources remain a recurring challenge.
Surrey Emerges as a Cultural Hub
Some of Metro Vancouver’s Black community activity is centred in Surrey, where small businesses and cultural gatherings are creating new social spaces. At VanSuya, a restaurant owned by Ekaose Nwadiani, food, fundraisers and themed celebrations give people reasons to gather. Nwadiani is working with local officials to expand his event licence so the venue can host even more gatherings and foster community bonds.
There’s momentum among residents for even more permanent, dedicated community hubs — places where people can come together not just socially, but creatively, professionally, and culturally.
Looking Ahead
As the Black population in Metro Vancouver continues to rise, efforts to build connection and community are becoming more visible and varied. From cultural celebrations to grassroots support centres, local leaders and residents are steering a path toward greater unity and belonging, even as they grapple with historical erasure and ongoing challenges to funding and infrastructure.
