About us

Our story

“Pulling together for equity in health, aging, and community care.”

Seniors have complex and evolving health, physical, and social needs for african, caribbean, and diverse black seniors, those needs are even more specific, shaped by culture, history, lived experiences, and the impacts of structural racism. At HAHWAS, we focus on this intersection. We are dedicated to understanding and addressing the unique realities of aging while black, and ensuring that these realities are reflected in the policies and systems meant to support us.

We believe in the principle: "Nothing about us, without us". Black seniors are not a single story, they are diverse, resilient, and full of wisdom. Their voices must not only be heard, but valued as expertise.

Our Mission

To advance the health, dignity, and well-being of black and racialized communities in Canada by addressing aging, health equity, social justice, and systemic racism through culturally grounded programs, education, research, and advocacy.

Vision

To ensure that black communities in Canada, especially elders and caregivers, experience health, dignity, and belonging through community-rooted care, advocacy, and innovation.

HAHWAS is dedicated to creating both a digital and physical hub for black healthcare professionals. We aim to build an interdisciplinary, intergenerational network of aspiring and practicing health professionals, executives, and community organizations committed to:

Increasing black representation in healthcare
Strengthening community leadership
Improving health equity for black and racialized Canadians
Advancing culturally grounded health solutions

Our work is guided by four core pillars:

1. CONNECTION

We foster meaningful connections across black-led, black-organized, and black-serving (B3) spaces. Through our annual symposium and expos, community events, virtual programs, social content, and our upcoming private membership platform, we uplift and amplify leaders, innovators, changemakers and our Black Advisory Committee across our networks.

2. REPRESENTATION

Centering black lives, we identify, analyze, and address the systemic barriers affecting black health outcomes. Our work includes research, data gathering, and community-informed advocacy that highlights both the challenges and the solutions.

3. EDUCATION

We provide our community with access to culturally relevant resources, leadership pathways, and professional development opportunities.

4. ENGAGEMENT

Through strategic partnerships and targeted programming, we equip individuals and organizations to thrive personally and professionally.

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What we do?

"HAHWAS walks with elders, not in front of them, not speaking over them. We stand beside them as advocates, partners, and amplifiers, ensuring that healthcare providers, governments, and service agencies deliver care that is equitable, dignified, and culturally informed. Because Black seniors deserve to age well with joy, belonging, and support."

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Education & Outreach

Public campaigns, school resources, workshops

Community & Social Services

Peer support, elder services, mental health

Research & Advocacy

Symposiums, community-based research, reports

Training & Consulting

Cultural safety, anti-black racism and aging

Media & Storytelling

Documentaries, storytelling circles, oral history

Meet Our Team

Elvenia Gray-Sandiford

Elvenia Gray-Sandiford is a family life educator, community engagement practitioner, and capacity-building specialist with over 40 years of experience advancing health equity, aging justice, and community resilience. Her work spans the full family life cycle—from early childhood to end of life—supporting families through culturally grounded education, crisis response, and system-level advocacy. She has worked extensively with children and youth, single and young parents, survivors of gender-based violence, and older adults navigating aging and care systems.

Kandi-Lee Crooks-Smith

Results-driven educator with twenty five years experience in meeting student and organizational learning goals using technology infused, experiential, and pragmatic methodologies. Excellent interpersonal skills which support collaborative approaches in designing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs for learners at all levels. Lifelong learner.

Anne Dolina

A law clerk and advocate with strong administrative background. Anne Dolina has lived and worked in Canada and the US. She has participated in and with a wide variety of groups and institutions with a primary focus on equity for women and marginalized folks, ecology, and aging well with scarce resources.

Mathew Fraser

Matthew Fraser is a recent graduate from Simon Fraser University with a diverse educational background and a passion for interdisciplinary knowledge. Bringing insights from Economics, Psychology, and Public Policy, Matthew aims to use community building and advocacy to improve health outcomes for Afro-Canadian and other racialized groups.

Mathew also previously organized, directed, empowered and oversaw a team of writers and budding journalists by guiding and publishing their work in an independent newspaper.

About us