1. AfriCana Village & Museum @ The Waterfront

   Project Profile

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   Overview

   AfriCana Village & Museum @ The Waterfront is a visionary social enterprise and cultural heritage tourism destination dedicated to celebrating and preserving the arts, history, and cultures of African-Canadians, Africa, and the global African Diaspora. Originally conceived in 2006, the project aims to serve as a bold economic and cultural remedy for the despair, poverty, and marginalization often faced by Toronto’s Black and African-Canadian communities.

   Positioned on forty acres of prime waterfront land in Toronto’s Portlands district, AfriCana Village & Museum aspires to become a world-class hub for commerce, creativity, learning, entertainment, and wellness—especially for youth and marginalized communities throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and beyond.

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   Mission

   To transform lives and communities through the power of culture, education, and economic development, by showcasing the genius, resilience, and heritage of the African Diaspora, while creating sustainable opportunities for current and future generations.

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   Vision

   AfriCana Village & Museum will be a globally recognized cultural beacon, grounded in Afrocentric values, dedicated to telling untold stories, inspiring innovation, and fostering cross-cultural connections. It will house landmark institutions, unique experiences, and dynamic spaces where the past informs the present and future.

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   Phase 1 Anchor: National Museum of African-Canadian History and Arts (NMACHA)

   NMACHA will be the heart of AfriCana Village—a world-class museum that centers African-Canadian narratives within the global Black experience. With expansive exhibition halls and flexible programming space, the museum will:

   • Develop and present Afrocentric art exhibitions for international tours.

   • Collaborate with leading global Africentric cultural institutions.

   • Highlight the origin and legacy of the African “Homo Sapien,” the progenitor of all human civilization.

   • Offer educational programs and public engagement events across the GTA.

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   Strategic Partnership

   AfriCana Village intends to partner with various social enterprise based organizations. These collaborations supports a shared vision to uplift underserved communities through hope, creativity, and innovation.

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   Key Components of the AfriCana Village & Museum Complex

   The development includes over 40 proposed and planned venues, institutions, and attractions:

   Cultural & Artistic Hubs

   • Elijah McCoy “Real McCoy” Cultural Centre

   • Oscar Peterson Performing Arts Centre (Proposed)

   • Archie Alleyne’s Kollage Music Centre

   • Afri-centric Art Gallery

   • Apollo North – Live Talent Showcase

   • African-Canadian Film Center & Theatre

   • Music Recording Studio & Sound Stage

   • Outdoor Amphitheater (10,000-seat)

   • Afri-centric Movie Theatre & Film Centre

   Museums & Memorials

   • National Museum of African-Canadian History & Culture

   • African-Canadian Hockey Museum & Hall of Fame

   • African-Canadian Walk of Fame

   • African-Canadian Hall of Fame

   • Monument to “Unknown” African-Canadian Soldiers

   Education, Innovation & Business Spaces

   • Educational Library, Studios & Workshop Facilities

   • Harry Jerome Convention Centre (Proposed)

   • 100 Executive Offices/Desks & Creative Spaces

   • Caribbean Institutional Leadership Development Centre

   • Caribana House (Offices & Costume Creation Space – Proposed)

   Trade & Tourism Centres

   • CARICOM Tourism & Trade Centre (20 multimedia booths)

   • Mama Africa Tourism & Trade Centre (53 booths)

   • African Union Diaspora Centre

   • Executive Offices for CARICOM & AU Consulates (73 offices, 10 boardrooms)

   Culinary & Hospitality Venues

   • 25 Caribbean-African Restaurants

   • Bob Marley Themed Restaurant (Proposed)

   • Michael Jordan Sports Bar (Proposed)

   • 500-Seat Soul Food Restaurant (Underground Railroad Theme)

   • Four-Star Boutique Hotel & Spa (300 rooms)

   • 20 Banquet Halls & Event Centres

   • Praise Café / Mosque Café

   Entertainment & Leisure

   • 10 Nightclubs & Music-Themed Bars (Jazz, Reggae, Blues)

   • Afro-Brazilian/Latino Cultural Centre & Club

   • Caribbean-themed Lake Ontario Boat Cruises (Vessel Acquisition Planned)

   • Aquarium (30,000-gallon tank with Caribbean & African species)

   Legacy Feature

   • Granite “Founders Obelisk” engraved with the names of contributors to the creation of AfriCana Village & Museum.

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   Impact & Legacy

   AfriCana Village & Museum @ The Waterfront represents an unprecedented cultural and economic investment in the Black and African-Canadian community. It will create thousands of jobs, support creative entrepreneurship, promote intercultural dialogue, and reclaim space for African-descended peoples in the cultural fabric of Canada.

   Through its programs, institutions, and partnerships, AfriCana Village will provide a sustainable, inspirational, and future-facing platform for excellence, legacy, and community empowerment.

(* specific names of venues still to be determined)