Testimonials
Real Voices, Real Impact — Stories from Our Community
I, and many others in our community, truly need the Baobab Black Seniors Initiative for so many reasons. Too many Black seniors in British Columbia live in isolation. Some of us have lost family or friends to distance, migration, or death. Others face health or mobility challenges that make it hard to stay connected. Too often, we are left alone and forgotten.
The Baobab initiative is a lifeline. It helps reconnect us with our community and restores a sense of belonging. Through Baobab, we have a safe and welcoming space to gather with others our age, share stories, and feel seen, valued, and respected. These moments of connection break the cycle of loneliness and lift our spirits, giving us renewed purpose and joy in life.
In these spaces, we can speak openly about our challenges and fears, celebrate our achievements, and find strength in each other’s company. The conversations are healing, uplifting, and culturally affirming. Baobab has also provided transportation for seniors who are housebound or hesitant to travel alone, which makes it possible for everyone to take part.
With initiatives like those offered by Baobab Black Seniors Health and Social Care Society, our elders can live with dignity, connection, and meaning. Baobab doesn’t just serve us, it honors us.
Kerry Messiah
Thank you so much! Looking forward to upcoming events!
While Black seniors share many of the same challenges as other older adults, there remains a real and urgent need for initiatives that specifically address the unique experiences of Black seniors.
Speaking as a Black senior myself and as someone who has worked in the healthcare sector, I have seen firsthand the unmet needs of Black elders, both within health systems and in the broader community. I wholeheartedly support the work of Baobab Black Seniors Health and Social Care Society because it responds directly to those gaps with care, dignity, and cultural understanding.
Many Black seniors need opportunities to learn English, navigate healthcare and financial benefits available to those with low income, and access workshops that promote physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. They also need spaces to learn how to integrate into a society where they may be a minority and sometimes feel excluded. Baobab helps build that confidence and creates a safe, affirming environment where seniors can share their stories, strengths, and wisdom.
Because our community is diverse, representing many countries of origin, Baobab plays a vital role in bringing us together, breaking isolation, and fostering unity. Through day trips, shared meals, educational programs, and grief support when needed, Baobab provides opportunities for Black seniors to connect, heal, and thrive.
Although there are few prominent voices advocating for Black seniors in BC, Canada, Baobab has stepped forward with purpose and compassion. It offers what so many of us need, “A place to belong, to be heard, and to live fully and meaningfully”.
Pauline Blackman
Meeting Under the Baobab Tree: A Reflection on Our First Gathering.
There’s something timeless and grounding about the image of meeting under an African baobab tree—a place where stories are exchanged, laughter echoes, and community is built in the shade of something strong and enduring. That’s exactly how our first gathering with Baobab Seniors Care felt like: where everyone already understood—no need to explain, just a deep, shared sense of connection and ease.
Though we arrived with the natural caution that comes with meeting new people, it didn’t take long for the warmth to settle in. Spanning from age 13 to 80— it was a beautiful reminder that wisdom and connection transcend generations. One woman shared how, years ago, she could walk downtown for days without seeing another black person, and how deeply joyful it was to finally greet someone with a simple “Hi and a wave” That sentiment resonated with many of us. That same joy of recognition and belonging was present this day.
Charlot, the visionary behind this gathering, deserves heartfelt thanks. Her dedication to creating a space where black seniors feel seen, valued, and supported is evident in every detail.
We believe all seniors deserve attention, care, and community—especially those who are newer to Canada and may be navigating unfamiliar terrain and systems. This initiative offers not just companionship, but a lifeline. Our hope is that these gatherings continue to grow, drawing in more voices, more stories, and more shared meals under our metaphorical baobab tree.
To anyone considering joining: come as you are. There’s a place for you here.
Cheers,