Change Can Happen. Profiles in community leadership: Djaka Blais

Central City Foundation is once again celebrating examples of extraordinary community leadership and innovation from the organizations we walk alongside and support. These individuals and their organizations have demonstrated that change can happen in our community. As part of this celebration, we asked each of our profiled leaders to share their thoughts on leadership, community and hope for a brighter future.

Djaka Blais, Executive Director, Hogan’s Alley Society

Djaka is being celebrated for her leadership and advocacy for culturally appropriate housing, unwavering commitment to equity in city planning and her role in advancing the redevelopment of Hogan’s Alley as a hub of Black cultural and economic vibrancy. Her work as the first Executive Director at Hogan’s Alley Society has been instrumental in reasserting the presence, contributions, and rights of Black communities in a city that purposely displaced and attempted to erase the once-thriving Hogan’s Alley community. Through Djaka’s leadership, Hogan’s Alley Society is championing a powerful movement for land justice, cultural preservation and community-led development.

Q:  How does your work help address some of the challenges faced by people in inner city communities? 

At Hogan’s Alley Society, our work is rooted in advancing the social, economic, political, and cultural well-being of Black communities in Vancouver. We address the challenges faced by inner-city communities—particularly Black communities—by tackling the long-term impacts of systemic racism, displacement and disinvestment. Black residents remain overrepresented in homelessness counts and continue to face barriers to affordable housing, culturally relevant services and community connection. Our work focuses on creating safe, affordable, and culturally informed housing, delivering housing support and community care programs, and advancing research and public education to daylight Black history and needs. We are also working toward building a community hub and other community-owned infrastructure that will provide stability, belonging, and opportunity for future generations.

Q:  How would you describe some of the common lived experiences, systemic inequalities/inequities and other challenges faced by the people you work with?

Many of the people we work with live with constant displacement and instability. They are priced out of housing, denied access to culturally safe services, or navigating the generational impacts of racism. These inequities build on each other and create enormous daily stress. Housing precarity is especially common—whether that means moving between shelters, couch surfing, or living in unsafe and substandard conditions. Without secure housing, everything else becomes harder: keeping a job, pursuing education, or maintaining health and well-being. 

For Black community members, these challenges are compounded by anti-Black racism in both securing and keeping housing. Black renters are among the most highly rent-burdened in Metro Vancouver, and many families struggle to find housing that accommodates larger households or accessibility needs. On top of this, the lack of spaces where Black history and culture are reflected deepens feelings of exclusion and invisibility.

Q:  How would you describe the importance of community connections and a sense of acceptance and belonging for the people you work with?

Belonging is essential. For communities that have been historically marginalized, being seen, valued, and safe is transformative. Community connections provide more than emotional support—they create networks of care where people share resources, opportunities, and traditions. That’s why our programs, from the Community Care Program to Nora Hendrix Place, are designed not only to provide housing and supports but also to foster a sense of cultural affirmation and collective pride.

Q:  Looking ahead, can you share with us some of your thoughts about where you see that change can happen?

I find hope in the ways our community is already shaping change. The Hogan’s Alley Community Land Trust is one powerful example: it will provide affordable housing, social enterprise spaces, and a cultural hub that celebrates Black history, reversing some of the harms caused by displacement. Nora Hendrix Place gives me hope too—it shows what’s possible when housing is designed to meet people where they are, providing stability and a pathway to belonging. And I’m encouraged by the solidarity of partners who understand that equity requires long-term commitment. These examples remind me that, while the challenges are significant, the foundations for a more just and inclusive future are already being built.

Q:  What are some examples that give you hope for a better future for the people with who you work?

I find hope in the ways our community is already shaping change. The Hogan’s Alley Community Land Trust is one powerful example: it will provide affordable housing, social enterprise spaces, and a cultural hub that celebrates Black history, reversing some of the harms caused by displacement. Nora Hendrix Place gives me hope, too—it shows what’s possible when housing is designed to meet people where they are, providing stability and a pathway to belonging. And I’m encouraged by the solidarity of partners who understand that equity requires long-term commitment. These examples remind me that, while the challenges are significant, the foundations for a more just and inclusive future are already being built.

Q:  How would you describe the value of developing relationships and collaboration in your work and organizations like Central City Foundation?

Relationships are at the heart of our work. The challenges we face—whether housing insecurity or systemic racism—are far too big for any one organization to take on alone. Collaboration makes it possible to share resources, expertise, and vision, and to bring together different perspectives that are needed to address complex problems. This work is hard and requires patience and commitment, which is why relationships matter so deeply. When we are in true partnership, we can lean on each other for support, solidarity, and strength in difficult times.

What has support from Central City Foundation meant for your organization or your work?

Central City Foundation’s support has been instrumental. They have helped raise our profile and opened doors to new relationships and partnerships. They’ve also shared valuable knowledge and expertise that has strengthened our capacity and advanced our housing initiatives. Just as importantly, their partnership affirms the value of Black-led community building and signals to others that this work is vital and worth investing in. For an organization like ours—one that has historically been underfunded and under-recognized—that solidarity makes a profound difference.

Q: If you could describe a vision for the future of the inner city and the people who live there, what would that vision look like?  

My vision is of an inner city where everyone has secure, affordable housing and access to services that affirm their dignity and culture. It’s a community where children grow up surrounded by positive reflections of their history and contributions. It’s a place where displacement is no longer a threat and where diversity is not only present but celebrated. For Black communities, that vision includes restoring what was lost with the destruction of Hogan’s Alley—building a vibrant cultural hub that is both a home and a place of connection for generations to come.

Q:  Do you have a call to action for our CCF community that you would like to share?

I would encourage the CCF community to continue standing alongside inner-city residents by investing in solutions led by those most affected. Support Black-led and Indigenous-led organizations not only with resources, but with long-term trust and partnership. Use your voice and influence to advocate for equity in housing and city development, and to ensure that community voices are at the centre of decision-making. Change takes all of us, and every act of support—whether financial, advocacy, or allyship—helps build the future we all deserve.