Djaka talks about the importance of educating oneself and the significance of self-care due to emotional labour when addressing racism. She explains the difference between discomfort and safety when someone hears that their words and actions are considered racist.
Djaka Blais-Amare (she/her) is the Director, Grants and a Racial Equity Strategy with Calgary Foundation. In this new role, Djaka guides the Calgary Foundation through an ongoing journey towards a Racial Equity Culture, defined by Equity in the Centre as one that is focused on proactive counteraction of race inequities inside and outside an organization. The Calgary Foundation’s racial equity journey closely intersects and builds on our Reconciliation Journey. She also works collaboratively with the Grants Team to deliver a broad range of grantmaking activities, including, supporting community partners through the process of developing project concepts and proposals for the Community Grants Program. She also fosters partnerships with community stakeholders and other funders and assists organizations through capacity building advice. Before joining Calgary Foundation, Djaka worked for several years with the federal government where she administered a variety of funding programs, including the Official Languages Program, Multiculturalism Program and Settlement Programs. Djaka is currently a fellow with the Justice Funders Harmony Initiative and a founding member of the Foundation for Black Communities, the first philanthropic foundation for Black communities in Canada. Djaka was born on unceded Indigenous lands on the Island of Tiohtiá:ke or Montréal and now lives, works, and plays in Moh’kinsstis or Calgary with her husband and two boys and enjoys travelling with them whenever possible.
