Education & Research
Program Overview
African Centre in Toronto (ACT) advances education and community-based research as critical tools for
empowerment, evidence-informed decision-making, and social change. ACT recognizes that access to education and relevant data strengthens individual opportunity, informs policy, and supports equitable community development.
Education Focus
ACT’s education initiatives support lifelong learning and skills development for children, youth, and adults. Programs are designed to improve academic outcomes, strengthen employability, and build critical thinking and leadership skills.
- Academic support, tutoring, and learning enrichment
- Workshops, training sessions, and community education forums
- Youth mentorship and leadership development
- Adult learning, digital literacy, and skills upgrading
Research Focus
ACT conducts and supports community-based research to better understand social, economic, and health challenges facing marginalized communities. Research activities prioritize lived experience, equity, and collaboration with community members, service providers, and academic partners.
- Community needs assessments and surveys
- Data collection and analysis to inform program design
- Evaluation of program effectiveness and outcomes
- Knowledge sharing through reports, presentations, and policy briefs
Expected Outcomes
Participants experience improved educational engagement, skills development, and access to learning opportunities. Communities benefit from evidence-based programs, improved service delivery, and stronger advocacy informed by reliable data and community insights.
Alignment with Public & Foundation Funders
This program aligns with City of Toronto, Ontario Trillium Foundation, and community foundation priorities related to education access, youth development, research-informed practice, equity, and community capacity-building. ACT’s emphasis on data, evaluation, and knowledge mobilization supports funder expectations for accountability and impact.
Dr. Elizabeth Onyango
Researcher
Dr. Elizabeth is a self-driven and seasoned researcher with extensive professional experience in health and wellbeing research, food insecurity and nutritional research, Black youth experiences in Canadian schools, and anti-Black research using both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
She is an experienced project and program coordinator with diverse skills in community services including the coordination of CARE for Black Youth in Waterloo – Community Academic Reciprocal Engagement (CARE) project, a social innovation laboratory that brings racialized youth, Black elders, and social work students together for social action.
Dr. Elizabeth is a community worker who is reflected in the different roles – supporting children with special needs together with their families in providing social, personal, and health-related needs and integrating these children in the community through active involvement in sports, public library visits, and involvement in intercultural community events. Dr. Elizabeth is also a board member of the African Community Wellness Initiative (ACWI) of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and an Associate Member of The Tshepo Institute for the Study of Contemporary Africa.
Dr. Dionisio Nyaga
Researcher
Dr. Dionisio has 15 years of community development experience; having worked with diverse communities in Canada and internationally. I am a researcher, practitioner, social advocate, and educator. I have participated in community and research projects geared toward social justice and anti-oppression. My research, academic, and practice focus is on community development, anti-colonial, post-colonial, social policy, gender studies, African trans-nationalism, diasporic studies, masculinity studies, post-structuralism, curriculum development and criticism, labor studies, mental health, and Indigenous studies. I apply an anti-oppressive social work framework in my practice, teaching, and research. The primary role of the RAC is to review proposed research and extension projects on an annual cycle, including off-cycle requests; and provide recommendations on proposed projects and Center resources. The RAC comprises the Chair and anywhere between 1-10 members representing academic leaders with competency and applicable expertise with the types of research and extension activities at the subject Centers. Members are not limited to UC academics and may be expanded to include knowledgeable industry representatives and other qualified individuals. The RAC’s principal responsibilities involve reviewing and recommending research and extension project proposals based on scientific merit, including an assessment of specific objectives, the feasibility of the success of the project, previous track record, and alignment with the Center’s long-term strategic plan.