Who We Are

Our mission is to uplift and empower Black seniors in British Columbia by addressing the unique challenges they face; challenges that are shaped by social determinants of health and exacerbated by anti-Black racism in healthcare and social systems.

The baobab tree

our grounding mission
& vision truth

The Baobab Tree is a symbol of Strength and Connection. The tree is a powerful symbol in many cultures, especially in Africa representing strength, resilience, and connection. Below are the symbolic meaning of its various parts:

The Roots: Foundation and Heritage

1) The roots of the Baobab tree represent foundation and heritage. They dig deep into the earth, symbolizing a strong connection to one’s roots, culture, and community.

2) The roots also represent stability and grounding, providing a sense of security and balance.

The Trunk: Strength and Resilience

1) The trunk of the Baobab tree represents strength and resilience. It’s sturdy and robust, symbolizing the ability to withstand challenges and adversity.

2) The trunk also represents wisdom and knowledge, storing water and nutrients that sustain the tree.

The Branches: Growth and Expansion

1) The branches of the Baobab tree represent growth and expansion. They stretch towards the sky, symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge, personal growth, and spiritual exploration.

2) The branches also represent connection and community, providing shelter and support for those who seek refuge.

The Leaves: Renewal and Vitality

1) The leaves of the Baobab tree represent renewal and vitality. They symbolize the cycle of life, growth, and renewal.

2) The leaves also represent nourishment and sustenance, providing shade and food for those who depend on the tree.

Interconnectedness

The Baobab tree’s various parts are interconnected, symbolizing the interdependence of all things. The roots nourish the trunk, which supports the branches, which in turn sustain the leaves. This interconnectedness represents the importance of community, relationships, and mutual support.

The Baobab tree’s symbolic meaning serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of staying grounded, resilient, and connected to our heritage and community.

Our Story

Inspired by the resilience
of the Baobab tree

Baobab was born from a single, transformative home visit.

Before Charlet ever envisioned founding an organization, she felt a pull to visit a woman she deeply respected, an elder she considered a beacon in the community. What she witnessed during that visit changed everything. The woman, once strong and full of wisdom, was now living in silence, isolated and underserved. Her dignity was fading not because of age, but because of neglect and a lack of community support.

Charlet couldn’t turn away. She knew our elders deserved better comfort, care, and a community that honours their lived experiences. That visit lit a fire in her spirit to advocate for change, beginning with ensuring that this elder could spend her golden years in a setting of warmth, dignity, and belonging.

It began with small acts paying attention to what it means to care for Black skin, creating spaces that reflect Black culture, and restoring everyday practices that hold ancestral wisdom. As she spent more time listening, Charlet began to hear story after story from elders who felt unseen and unheard. Their voices carried decades of experience, yet their concerns were too often dismissed.

This is when elder circles were born, gatherings where seniors could safely share their grievances, their dreams, their pain, and their legacy. One message rang out clearly :We feel forgotten.

Inspired by the spirit of Ubuntu I am because we are Charlet committed herself to reweaving the fabric of community with our elders at the center. What began as a simple visit grew into a life’s calling: to unearth, uplift, and honour the immeasurable value of our seniors.

Baobab is more than a name. Like the tree, it represents strength, nourishment, and roots that run deep. Charlet invites you to walk this journey to unmask truths, to rediscover the beauty that seniors bring into our lives, and to receive the nourishment they offer through their wisdom, their stories, and their presence.

Because when we centre our elders, we don’t just honour the past we build a future rooted in connection, dignity, and collective care.

Our Vision

At Baobab Black Seniors Care Society, we envision a world where Black elders not only survive but thrive; living in health, dignity, and cultural connection, free from the systemic inequities that have long affected their well-being.

Our Core Values

Guiding Principles

At the core of our mission are four guiding principles that reflect our unwavering commitment to honoring humanity, creating equity, and strengthening community:

Rooted in Equity

Dismantling systemic barriers that hinder Black seniors’ access to care, opportunities, and respect.

Centering Care

Providing compassionate, culturally competent care that honors the dignity and uniqueness of every Black senior.

Strength in Community

Empowering not just the seniors we serve, but also their families, caregivers, and broader communities.

Commitment to Honoring Humanity

Ensuring every Black elder is seen, heard, and valued in a world that often overlooks them.

"I am because we are"

— Ubuntu

Our Funders:

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the rights and title of the First Nations on whose collective unceded territories encompass the land base colonially known as British Columbia. We give thanks to the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking peoples the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-ulh Sníchim speaking Peoples the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), on whose unceded territories Baobab Black Seniors Care Society‘s office is located. We also give thanks for the medicines of these territories and recognize that laws, governance, and health systems tied to these lands and waters have existed here for over 9000 years.

Board Members

Meet The Team

Led by Charlet Muskwe (Founder & Executive Director), a dedicated healthcare professional with over two decades of expertise, and other amazing people, with same mission and belief that every Black senior deserves to be treated with respect, dignity, and cultural affirmation, to celebrate their histories, their lives, and their invaluable contributions.