About — wall text
Not just to exist. To thrive.
We envision a Canada where all individuals, regardless of ethnicity, can thrive with dignity, purpose, and opportunity.
The Living Archive strives to equip Quebec's BIPOC communities, as well as broader multicultural populations across Canada, with the resources needed to overcome racism and discrimination. Through a comprehensive approach, we aim to enhance the physical, mental, social, educational, financial, and civic skills of individuals across all stages of life — youth, adults, seniors, and families.
As a non-profit organization, our mission is to foster empowerment, multiculturalism, and lasting change by supporting individuals and communities in their growth and advancement.
We envision a Canada where all individuals, regardless of ethnicity, can thrive with dignity, purpose, and opportunity.
We are guided by three core pillars: multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusion. Our mission is to empower Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities across Canada by offering programs that promote sports, academics, financial literacy, civic engagement, social development, and justice. We work toward prison reform and aim to break down systemic barriers and create equal opportunities for all.
- Inclusivity — We believe in embracing diversity and fostering belonging for all.
- Empowerment — We aim to equip individuals with the tools and opportunities to thrive.
- Collaboration — We work hand-in-hand with partners and communities to create meaningful impact.
- Creativity — We celebrate and encourage artistic and cultural expression as a vehicle for change.
Our story — from challenges to change
The Living Archive began as a simple observation: Montréal's multicultural neighbourhoods were full of memory that no institution was collecting. Little Burgundy's jazz clubs, the city's oldest Black congregations, the community centres that raised generations of newcomers — these stories lived in kitchens and living rooms, not in archives.
A small group of Montréal organizers, archivists, and musicians started gathering what they could — photographs, recordings, oral histories — with one rule: nothing gets filed away and forgotten. Every piece stays in motion, connected to the present-day people and programs who carry that history forward.
In 2019, that effort was formalized. Together, the founding collective set out to build an organization dedicated to empowering BIPOC communities across Quebec, who face disproportionate racism across education, employment, and community support.
A vision for the future — empowering unsung heroes
The Living Archive is built on a simple idea: recognition shouldn't wait for someone to become famous. The people organizing block parties, mentoring kids after school, and translating city forms for their neighbours rarely get thanked publicly — this project exists to change that.
The goal isn't to chase social media attention. It's to build a permanent, growing record — festivals and events that celebrate real community impact, oral histories recorded before they're lost, and a gallery of unsung heroes who deserve to be seen.
By confronting the language barriers and systemic gaps that leave BIPOC and English-speaking communities in Québec overlooked, The Living Archive works to make sure every contribution — big or small — has a place in the record.
This is also why the wall on our home page connects an older photograph to a newer one — the same idea The Living Archive was built around.
belongs here.
Points in time — Montréal
Researched history — confirm before publishingLittle Burgundy — one of Montréal's oldest Black neighbourhoods, and the heart of its jazz history — carries a longer story worth remembering.
The Coloured Women's Club of Montréal
Founded — widely cited as the oldest Black women's organization in Canada.
Union United Church
Established in Little Burgundy — the city's oldest Black congregation, still active today.
Oscar Peterson is born
In Little Burgundy — he goes on to become one of the greatest jazz pianists in history.
Rockhead's Paradise opens
On Saint-Antoine Street — among the first Black-owned nightclubs in Canada, launching a golden era of Montréal jazz.
Dates reflect commonly documented Montréal history, gathered for context — verify against primary sources before final publication.
Milestones
Further dates to be confirmedThe founding
The Living Archive is formally founded to document and empower Montréal's multicultural communities.
First festival
The first multicultural festival showcase — date and photographs to come from the archive.
Harmony in Hues
The premiere of the docu-series highlighting community change-makers and local heroes.