BlackChat: The Gathering of the Melanated

Welcome to the Living Room!

BlackChat originated as a series of social salons in 2016.

Through family reunion-styled gatherings, BlackChat feeds the mind, souls, and stomachs of local Black folks, and those visiting from across Turtle Island.

Hosted by inter-generational co-conspirators !Kona and Morgan, BlackChat invites activists, artists, queers, academics and changemakers into the living room for laughter, and community connection.

We provide food, beverage and reusable cups with people’s names written on them. We change the sheets on our beds for those requiring naps and clean the bathtub for those needing a long soak. Music is played, songs are sung, dancing is ubiquitous and it has not been uncommon for folks to engage in hair care or take over the kitchen to cook cultural foods.

We ensure that every gathering has at least one new person, and encourage those in attendance to connect and collaborate outside the space we hold as a way to build stronger community bonds. Operating out of pocket, and out of home, BlackChat gatherings are entirely self-funded.

Past Editions

  • Reunited And It Feels So Good | October 29, 2021

    After almost 2 years of isolation, we reopen the living room for a chosen-family gathering to celebrate each other, feast on fried chicken and honestly? Be pretty fuckin’ ridiculous.

  • Screening + Q&A: Dance Like Everybody’s Watching | September 19, 2020

    Dance Like Everybody's Watching, a film by Simone Blais that is "shining a light on Blackness on the Canadian West Coast, Dance Like Everybody Is Watching lets the world in on an intimate journey through dance, culture and community."

  • Habari Gani? | December 26, 2019 - January 1, 2020

    This isn't a big party. No no. This is a come over in your pj's, bring food and beverages to share, and pop your head in any or all of the days during Kwanzaa!

    There will be games, conversations, possible vision boarding, readings, and movies all week long!

  • Women’s Sexuality Edition | November 2, 2019

    We started gathering at 1 pm and the last guest left at 6:30 pm. Towards the end, it turned into church with discussion on spirituality. Laughter occurred, the odd tear shed, vulnerability came and stayed and we explored a lot of terrains.

  • Black To Life! | September 20, 2019

    Hey folks! Join us in celebrating !Kona’s Black to life now that she’s 65ish days post-surgery. She misses all of your beautiful Black faces!

  • We March On | March 5, 2019

    Naps, baths, conversation or otherwise, Black Chat is for you to come and be your beautiful, black self in whatever ways are important to you. Hey y'all, it's really already that time again! We've loved seeing all of you over the last month and a bit, but let's gather... shall we?

  • Smoker’s Edition | February 19, 1019

    It's about that time again. We know a Black Chat has been long anticipated. It has for us, that's for sure. Due to cold weather, this round we are doing a Smokers' Edition.

    Come and drop by whenever works for you. nacks will be provided. Bring things to share if you want. Morgan is going to attempt to make pepperpot!

  • Youth Edition | October 9, 2018

    Morgan officially invites you to the first-ever youth-centred BlackChat!

    I decided to do a youth focus because, why not? My interpretation for youth is 25 and under. This may include folks as young as 14.

  • Welcoming Black History Month | February 1, 2018

    We could not think of a better way to step into BHM than with some beautiful, melanated faces!

    On this evening, we are opening our home to exactly that. Little food and drink will be provided. We encourage you to bring snacks and/or beverages to share, as well as whatever things you may need to be comfortable.

  • In Grief… | August 16, 2017

    Following the white supremacist march in Charlottesville, we find ourselves in search of a safe space that is open and inviting of black folx.

    This evening, we are opening our home to exactly that.

  • Black Femme Magic | June 27, 2017

    It has been a hard, hard week to be Black in this world. And it has been a blessed time for many of us as well. It is my belief that resilience requires a firm bedrock and solid connections. Join me for a conversation on my patio?

    - !Kona

  • Post Vigil... | July 10, 2016

    Sunday afternoon, over 500 people gathered at the Vancouver Art Gallary to honour the memories of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.

    Following this, we invited Black folks from the crowd to continue the collective mourning and regulating. This was the birth of BlackChat.