Femmes Actrices du Changement: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities

Help Us Empower Francophone Women — Reclaim Their Power and Lead With Purpose

Bright Lights For Africa Foundation (BLFA) is a charitable, non-profit organization operating in both Canada and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We empower marginalized communities by addressing critical needs, fostering resilience, and promoting self-sufficiency.

In Canada, our work centers on supporting Francophones of African descent in Calgary and surrounding areas through culturally sensitive programs that break systemic barriers, enhance well-being, and create pathways to long-term success.

In the DRC, we partner with vulnerable, rural, and conflict-affected communities — especially women and youth — to expand access to education, economic opportunity, leadership development, and community resilience.

Our work is guided by one core belief: When people are seen, supported, and empowered, communities thrive.

Why Femmes Actrices Du Changement?

Francophone women of African descent in Calgary carry rich cultural legacies—but also face complex barriers tied to race, language, gender, and migration.

They are leaders, caregivers, community builders. Yet, they are often excluded from leadership tables, underserved by mainstream programs, and silenced by systemic challenges.

Femmes Actrices du Changement was created as a direct response—To offer healing, connection, and leadership development grounded in culture, community, and identity.

It’s more than a program—it’s a movement that:

Creates space for women to heal from personal and intergenerational trauma
Equips them with tools to lead in their homes and communities
Recognizes and affirms their lived experiences, talents, and potential
Builds a collective force for representation, inclusion, and meaningful change

The Vision: Reclaiming Voices, Leading with Strength

Femmes Actrices du Changement envisions a community where Francophone women of African descent rise as confident, connected, and culturally rooted leaders. A future where they:

Reclaim their voices and shape their own narratives
Lead with strength, pride, and purpose
Break systemic barriers and open doors for others
Heal together, thrive together, and drive meaningful change in their homes, their communities, and beyond
Our Impact: Laying the Foundation for Change

In May 2025, Femmes Actrices du Changement launched its first leadership session, marking the beginning of a powerful journey rooted in healing, connection, and purpose. The session welcomed over 35 women, representing 13 Francophone African countries.

Participants gathered in a safe, culturally affirming space to:

Reflect on their personal journeys as women, immigrants, and leaders
Share stories of resilience, grief, and hope during the Healing Through Mourning session
Connect across languages, cultures, and lived experiences
Begin reclaiming their voices and stepping into leadership with purpose

Our Goals for 2025: From Healing to Leadership, Driving Collective Growth

Our first cohort welcomed Francophone women of African descent from 13 Francophone countries. These women came together to begin a transformative journey grounded in healing, leadership, and cultural affirmation.

As momentum builds, we expect to see an average of 80 women attending each month. Together, participants will engage in core sessions designed to ignite personal growth and collective transformation, including:

Healing Through Mourning – Honoring their Homeland and Finding Strength in theirJourney
Future Literacy – Seeing their Future with Hope and Opportunities
Leadership Development – Building Community Through Service
Leadership and Skills Building – Rising for Change
Leadership in Action – Turning Vision into Impact

What Your Donation Will Do

Annual Fundraising Goal: $60,000 CAD

Your donation helps us deliver a full year of Femmes Actrices du Changement—supporting healing, leadership, and empowerment for Francophone women of African descent in Calgary.

Here’s how your donation will make a difference:

$20,000 – Francophone culturally grounded leadership training, workshops, and guest facilitators
$15,000 – Participant support: meals, transportation, and childcare for barrier-free access
$10,000 – Community leadership projects designed and led by program participants
$8,000 – Program coordination, materials, and evaluation
$7,000 – Storytelling, photography, and public engagement to amplify voices

Why Femmes Actrices du Changement Matters

Black Francophone women in Calgary carry powerful stories of resilience—but too often, they remain unheard, underserved, and unseen. They face overlapping barriers that limit their well-being, leadership, and visibility:

Language and cultural exclusion in an English-dominant society
Underemployment despite high levels of education and professional experience
Limited access to leadership opportunities and culturally relevant services
Social isolation, economic instability, and higher rates of unemployment
Femmes Actrices du Changement was created as a response to these realities.
It is a space where Black Francophone women can heal, connect, and lead—in their language, on their terms, and with the tools to shape change in their communities.

Join Us – Fuel the Movement, Empower the Women

Your donation helps create a powerful ripple effect—equipping women to lead with purpose, rebuild with pride, and drive meaningful change across generations.

Your donation is eligible for a charitable tax receipt.Charitable Registration Number: 71650 4535 RR0001