Djaka Blais
Hogan's Alley Society
Canada
Djaka Blais is the inaugural Executive Director of Hogan’s Alley Society, a Vancouver-based non-profit dedicated to advancing the well-being of people of African descent through inclusive housing and culturally informed programming. With 18 years in philanthropy, government, and community mobilizing, Djaka also co-founded the Foundation for Black Communities, Canada's first philanthropic foundation for Black communities.
Through the fellowship, Djaka aims to enhance the organizational capacity of Hogan’s Alley Society, ensuring it meets the unique needs of Black communities while avoiding oppressive structures. Her goal is to strengthen HAS’s impact, driving progress in housing and community development with a focus on equity and empowerment.
About
Me.
What is your story?
What drives your work?
My name is Djaka Blais (she/her), and I am a settler on these lands. Born on the unceded territory of the Kanien'kehà:ka, my heritage is a blend of my mother’s French ancestors who arrived in the early 1600s and my father’s Malinke roots from Guinea in West Africa. My name, Djaka, honors my father's grandmother who raised him. I am a mother to two beautiful boys, a partner, and a sister.
Professionally, I am the Co-Founder and current Chair of the Foundation for Black Communities, Canada’s first philanthropic foundation dedicated to Black communities nationwide, and in 2022, I moved my family to Vancouver to become the inaugural Executive Director of Hogan’s Alley Society (HAS). HAS is a Vancouver-based nonprofit committed to advancing the social, political, economic, and cultural well-being of Black people through inclusive housing, built spaces, and culturally informed programming.
My background in grantmaking spans over 18 years, starting in the federal government and extending to the community foundation movement. Throughout my career, I’ve seen my role as a connector between community work and resources, a partner in grassroots efforts, an advocate for marginalized voices, and a change agent striving to improve organizational service to communities. Despite working in programs focused on multiculturalism, anti-racism, and immigrant settlement, I found that supporting Black communities was always a challenge. Being often the only Black or racialized person in decision-making rooms, I felt a personal responsibility to advocate for those without a seat at the table.
In the summer of 2020, amid the pandemic and the global reckoning with anti-Black racism following George Floyd’s murder, I was approached by Rebecca Darwent to help start a philanthropic foundation focused on Black communities in Canada. The idea of self-determination for Black communities resonated deeply with me. My years as a grantmaker revealed the need for a foundation that empowered Black communities to define and pursue their own goals.
The Foundation for Black Communities, initially stewarded by a working group of Black professionals, including myself, Liban Abokor, Rebecca Darwent, and Dr. Joseph Smith, supported by a network of Black and ally advisors, was born out of this vision.
What drives my work is a deep commitment to giving back to the community, improving community conditions, and creating opportunities for marginalized voices. My two young Black boys are my greatest motivation to make the world a better place.
In my professional journey, I’ve always sought strong values alignment, a commitment to social justice, and community development. I thrive in environments where relationships are centered, creativity is encouraged, and continuous improvement is pursued. Personally, the well-being of my family and friends and nurturing relationships are paramount to me.
Describe your biggest strength as a leader
My biggest strengths as a leader stem from my collaborative nature, caring approach, and thoughtful mindset. I am committed to deep relationship building, always seeking solutions, and maintaining transparency in all my interactions.
Here are some key strengths that guide my leadership:
- **Collaborative Approach**: I excel in fostering teamwork and engaging people in the work. I believe that wisdom comes from many places, and I actively seek input and perspectives from diverse voices to make informed decisions.
- **Strong Relationship Building**: I am very good at building and nurturing relationships. My great social skills and ability to connect with others help me create a supportive and inclusive environment.
- **Values-Driven Leadership**: Authenticity, compassion, inclusiveness, creativity, healing, and fun are the core values that drive my actions. These principles help me create a positive and motivating atmosphere for my team and community.
- **Willingness to Engage in Discomfort**: I am willing to engage in uncomfortable conversations to get to the root of issues and resolve conflicts effectively. This helps me address challenges head-on and fosters a culture of openness and trust.
- **Vision and Execution**: I love taking ideas from seed to plan to action. My organized and strategic approach ensures that projects are well thought out and executed efficiently.
- **Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence**: My self-awareness and emotional intelligence enable me to understand and manage my emotions and those of others, fostering a supportive and empathetic work environment.
These strengths allow me to lead with authenticity, compassion, and a focus on building strong, collaborative relationships, all while driving meaningful action and positive change within the Hogan’s Alley Society and beyond.
Describe your biggest challenge as a leader
As a leader, my biggest challenges include a lack of confidence, imposter syndrome, and limited experience.
Lack of confidence often makes it difficult for me to assert my ideas and decisions, which can be essential in leadership roles. Imposter syndrome sometimes causes me to doubt my abilities and accomplishments, making me feel as though I don't deserve my position or the success that comes with it. Additionally, as a relatively new executive director, my limited experience can sometimes make navigating complex situations and making strategic decisions more challenging.
However, I am committed to addressing these challenges head-on by seeking continuous learning opportunities, building a strong support network, and actively working on my self-confidence and leadership skills.
About the
Organization
and the Project.
Sector
Not-for-profit
Vision & Mission
Hogan’s Alley Society (HAS) is a Black-led non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, economic, and cultural well-being of people of African descent in Metro Vancouver. Our work centers on three strategic pillars: culturally informed housing, nonprofit housing development, and community engagement. We prioritize values of decolonization, anti-oppressive practices, and fostering an organizational culture of care.
Our mission is to promote the well-being of African descent communities, envisioning a society free from racism, with a community hub as a catalyst for enrichment and belonging. We lead in developing Afrocentric, affordable housing, particularly through our Hogan's Alley Block initiative, grounded in one of Canada's few Black-led Community Land Trusts, to ensure long-term affordability and prevent further displacement.
Year Founded
2017
No. of Employees
32
Years in the Organization
2 years
Annual Budget (USD)
$2.900.000
Geographical Area Served
Metro Vancouver
Organizational /
Project Description
Project Focus: Building Organizational Capacity for Hogan's Alley Society
Over the course of the fellowship, I will focus on enhancing the organizational capacity of Hogan's Alley Society (HAS), a leading Black-led organization in Canada dedicated to providing inclusive housing, placemaking, and culturally informed programming for the Black community. This project will address the unique needs of Black communities while avoiding the replication of oppressive structures found in other organizations.
Project Goals:
1. Personal Leadership Development
a) Enhance Conflict Management Skills: Develop strategies to manage challenging interactions with staff, board members, and community stakeholders while maintaining alignment with my core values and the mission of HAS.
b) Cultivate a Distinct Leadership Style: Build and refine my leadership voice and style as a first-time Executive Director, ensuring it is effective, authentic, and reflective of the values of inclusivity and empowerment.
2. Organizational Capacity Building
a) Strengthen Staff Capacity: Continue to transition HAS from a primarily volunteer-run organization to one with robust staff capacity. Implement training programs and professional development opportunities to build a skilled and motivated team.
b) Develop and Implement Policies and Procedures: Create comprehensive organizational structures, policies, and procedures that are grounded in decolonized and anti-oppressive principles. Ensure these frameworks promote a culture of care for community members, staff, and program participants.
3. Advance Program Areas
a) Lead the development of the Hogan's Alley Block, which will include affordable housing, a cultural center, small business spaces, and childcare facilities. This initiative, grounded in a Community Land Trust, will protect long-term affordability and mitigate displacement. The Hogan's Alley Block aims to recreate a vibrant hub for the Black community in Vancouver and the lower Mainland, offering affordable housing options, a Black cultural centre, spaces for small businesses, childcare, and cultural amenities. This project is deeply committed to uplifting Metro Vancouver's Black communities, addressing historic displacement, and fostering community empowerment.
b) Deliver Afrocentric Housing Solutions: Expand HAS’s capacity as a culturally informed housing provider through partnerships, research, and service delivery. Ensure housing solutions integrate the cultural heritage and unique needs of the Black community, fostering belonging, healing, and empowerment.
c) Community Engagement and Advocacy: Foster community building, conduct research and advocate for policy change, and promote public education.
d) Safeguard Against Anti-Black Racism: Implement strategies and supportive practices to protect program participants, clients, and staff from anti-Black racism in accessing rental housing and supportive services.
Through this fellowship, I aim to significantly enhance both my leadership capabilities and the organizational strength of Hogan's Alley Society, ensuring we can effectively meet our mission and support the Black community in Vancouver and beyond.
Why is this project important and timely?
What is the target population of your project?
The project will engage people of African descent (Black people) from across the Lower Mainland in envisioning a community hub on the Hogan’s Alley Block which is located on unceded and occupied ancestral lands of the sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Stó:lō, and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations.
How will you know that you have achieved that impact? What data will you use to assess your impact?
I will know I have achieved the desired impact by tracking progress against my project goals using both quantitative and qualitative data. It will include tracking the degree of community engagement in project activities and gathering feedback from staff, board members, and community stakeholders and conduct self-assessments.
How do you anticipate this unique leadership education impacting you personally? What new skills are you hoping too develop & grow through this experience?
I anticipate that this unique leadership education will have a profound personal impact by providing me with the tools and insights needed to navigate the complexities of my role as an executive director. This experience will help me manage the loneliness that often accompanies leadership positions and better juggle the many competing priorities and expectations from the board, staff, partners, funders, community, media, government, and more.
This role has been the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experience of my life. Moving my family from Calgary, AB to Vancouver, BC for this position was a significant step, especially as a first-time executive director in a new field, building an organization still in startup mode. This journey has been about finding my voice as a leader while balancing personal and professional demands.
Through this leadership education, I aim to develop and grow several key skills:
- Speaking Influentially: I want to enhance my ability to communicate persuasively and inspire others.
- Fundraising with High-Net-Worth Individuals: I aim to learn effective strategies for engaging with and securing support from high-net-worth donors.
- Managing Difficult People and Engaging in Difficult Conversations: I seek to improve my skills in handling challenging interactions and resolving conflicts constructively.
- Improving Social Media Presence and Leveraging Digital Media: I plan to enhance my personal and organization's visibility and engagement through effective use of social media and digital platforms.
- Being Political: I want to become more adept at navigating the political landscape, advocating for my organization, and building strategic alliances.
- Strategic Planning and Business Planning: I aim to refine my skills in long-term planning and develop robust business strategies to guide the organization’s growth.
By developing these skills, I hope to become a more effective and confident leader, capable of steering Hogan's Alley Society towards its mission of providing inclusive housing, placemaking, and culturally informed programming for the Black community. This leadership education will not only enhance my professional capabilities but also enrich my personal growth, making me a more resilient and adaptable leader.
Where would you like to see yourself professionally in the next 3 years?
In the next three years, I see myself continuing to lead Hogan’s Alley Society to achieve significant milestones. I envision having developed a strong leadership team and ensuring we have the right team members in place to drive our mission forward. I aim to be recognized as a leader in the field of inclusive housing and community development, not only within our organization but also in the broader community.
Achieving more work-life balance is also a priority for me, as I believe it's essential for sustaining long-term effectiveness and personal well-being. Additionally, I may pursue a master's degree to further enhance my skills and knowledge, enabling me to lead with even greater impact.