The Black & Here Community Centre exists to celebrate, connect, and empower communities of African descent, newcomers, and equity-deserving peoples in British Columbia through education, creativity, and collaboration.
Founded through a partnership between the British Columbia Black History Awareness Society and REP Here in Canada, the Centre is a vibrant hub where history, art, and lived experience intersect to build belonging and possibility. We honour the legacies and future contributions of Black people in BC while creating inclusive pathways for newcomers and underrepresented communities to share their stories, grow their skills, and participate fully in civic and cultural life.
Through exhibitions, workshops, cultural programming, and collaborative projects, we cultivate understanding, advance representation, and foster cross-cultural exchange. Rooted in the spirit of community, we work to dismantle barriers, nurture creative expression, and imagine a future where everyone is seen, supported, and celebrated.
Centre Team
Kemi Craig
Kemi is a local interdisciplinary artist with a background in arts administration and working with anti-oppression non-profit collectives. She is excited to bring her passion for collaborating with communities and building partnerships through her role as the Engagement Leader for the Black & Here Community Centre.
Jamila Douhaibi
Jamila (she/they) is the Executive Director of the BC Black History Awareness Society. Jamila worked for several non-profit organizations throughout Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ territory, including literacy, environment and arts, and is also a writer for Seaside Magazine. Through her work Jamila engages the community on the importance of Black history and on celebrating the past, present and future contributions of Black people in this province.
Fiona Bramble
REP Here In Canada’s CEO and Managing Editor of Here Magazine, Fiona Bramble is a former ELL educator who dreamed a dream to help amplify the voices and lived experiences of her adult immigrant and refugee students embarking on their next chapters of life in Canada. This passion led to the founding of Here Magazine and REP Here In Canada. Fiona also sits on the Creative BC Magazine Advisory Committee, the Greater Victoria Alliance for Literacy, and the national board of the Peter Gzowski Foundation for Literacy. In 2018, Fiona received an Honorary Citizen Award from the City of Victoria for outstanding leadership and service to the community.
Tracy Guinchard
Tracy is the Multimedia and Communications Director for REP Here in Canada as well as a longtime member and volunteer with the BC Black History Awareness Society. With a background in Art History and New Media Design, Tracy is passionate about art and design as tools for connection and storytelling.
Visit us at 1327 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC
Hours: 12 pm – 5pm Tuesday to Saturday (Closed Sunday and Monday)