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| ♡February Newsletter 2025♡ |
| | Dear Friends of Solid State,
In this issue, you will find important milestones achieved by cohorts, news about existing and budding partnerships, and lots of ways to get involved. First, here’s a refresher on Solid State’s goals and vision from our 2024 Annual Report.
“Solid State Community Industries is building a network of worker co-operatives and similar solidarity-economy enterprises with racialized migrant communities. We currently have 28 co-ops in operation with 200+ members from 37+ national backgrounds.
As we grow, the scope and scale of our co-ops has grown as well. We are focused on building enterprises with durable financial models that create good jobs.
Solid State is more focused on job-creation for racialized communities than ever before and recognize that this has to be the future of our work.”
The community centered economic model we have been developing since 2017 proves its impact through the amazing work of all our cohorts and internal projects. While we will always be Surrey-centric, we have started building relationships to see how our work might be applicable to communities outside of our Surrey hub. Check out some of our rural and international collaborations below.
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| | | | | Co-op Developers to Share Solid State’s Model at First Nations Research and Learning Centre |
| This month, Solid State Co-op Developers WeiChun Kua, Mario Cimet, and Katrina Mugume are headed up to Yellowknife to learn Indigenous practices with student groups at Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning. They were invited to facilitate workshops about Solid State’s model and will be presenting to the public as well as to individual classes at Dechinta. One of their workshops focuses on building a solidarity economy in communities that are looking to become self sufficient. The other is focused on non-extractive financial models for enterprises that aim to build long-term prosperity for their communities. We’re excited to see how our relationship with Dechinta grows and big thanks to Leanne Simpson and Glenn Coulthard for building this connection with us. |
| | | | Gaza Media Co-op is Getting Close to Launching Services Transnationally |
|  | Gaza Media Co-op (GMC) is a web design, development, branding and graphic design co-op founded in Gaza, Palestine. GMC had been steadily working towards establishing their services, about to launch in 2023, only to be interceded by the genocide that continues to plague their homes and communities. Members of GMC are safe and working across several countries with the majority of their members staying in Gaza.
They relaunched their efforts in December 2025, by coordinating the acquisition of equipment, completing skills assessments, doing some language training, and getting incorporated with the help of Mohammed Zaqout and other Solid State staff. GMC’s story is a huge inspiration to our community and we’re excited to see them succeed! Stay tuned for GMC’s official launch and call for clients which they hope to announce in the next few months. |
| | The Cleaning Co-op Receives Substantial Funding from Seed Commons Partnership |
|  | The Cleaning Co-op has now been officially furnished by a substantial Seed Commons’ non-extractive loan! They received funding that will help them stabilize their growing enterprise which creates equitable, dignified jobs for people in the cleaning industry who are so often racialized, migrant, and newcomer women.
"We'd like to recognize that TCC would not be where we're at today without the hard work of our Co-op Developers and the support of SSCI. To ensure this support continues, TCC is committed to reinvesting in SSCI—closing the circle with Solid State, strengthening the solidarity economy, and ensuring resources are available for the next wave of co-ops.
Revenue is the result of our busy-ness, but our mission remains to improve the lives of our members while creating equitable opportunities for women. Reaching $1 million in revenue is proof that co-ops can be both profitable and sustainable while prioritizing people—especially racialized, immigrant, and newcomer women. It’s proof that we can organize democratically, without hierarchy, and that we can care for ourselves and each other without sacrificing our careers or potential. All that’s needed is a space for this to happen, and TCC exists to be that space.
As we continue to explore the balance between being equitable and profitable, we thank you so much for all of the support and encouragement!"
- The Cleaning Coop
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| Staff and Cohorts Host a Special Lunch Visit with MLAs Amna Shah and Jessie Sunner |
| | This month, we had the pleasure of hosting Amna Shah, MLA for Surrey-Central, and Jessie Sunner, MLA for Surrey-Newton. They didn't just stop by; they joined us for lunch!
It was great to share how we are working towards equitable economic development and growing our solidarity economy. We are excited to see the impact they'll make and incredibly grateful they took the time to see what we're all about.
We look forward to building strong relationships with these two incredible MLAs and to growing the economy and building resilient communities together. |
| News from the Solid State Affordable Housing Society |
| Solid State Affordable Housing Society and Empacta continue their search for land partnerships, sustained funding, and long-term sustainability. Funding efforts remain focused on BC Housing, the Real Estate Foundation of BC, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. At the same time, they are developing mentorship partnerships with experienced housing operators to support the long-term success of their project.
Discussions with the Solid State community remain the bedrock of the search as values and priorities aligning with community needs are paramount for housing. With the housing landscape shifting, community input remains essential. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Kassim at kassim@solidstate.coop to get involved and shape the future of Solid State housing. |
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| | | | RSVP to Daily Dose of Blackness’ Workshop for Black Creatives |
| Join Daily Dose of Blackness for an empowering and immersive multimedia workshop designed to spark creative expression among Black youth, ages 12 to 18.
This one-day event offers hands-on experience in DJing, photography, videography, audio editing, and graphic design. Whether you're curious about storytelling through visuals, crafting beats, or learning how to design engaging digital content, this workshop provides a platform to build skills, connect with peers, and express your unique creative voice.
🗓 When: Friday, February 21, 2025 📍 Where: Delview Secondary School, Delta ⏱️Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM 🌟 FREE Registration & Food Provided!
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| | Black Arts Centre 2025 Programming Launch: Artist Talks, Community Events, and Collaborations! |
|  | The Black Arts Centre has planned a year of amazing programming for 2025. They have created a great line up for Black History Month starting with a well-attended artist talk from Isabel Okoro and Odartey Aryee on Friday February 7th. This event occurred in line with their ongoing exhibition,“Within the Mould; Against the Grain”.
“The Black Arts Centre is excited to provide visitors with the opportunity to learn more about the processes and inspirations behind the incredible Black artists we showcase and their work, while in direct dialogue with members of the community.”
They will be holding their AGM this week at the Vancouver Art Gallery with a post-meeting curators tour of the current exhibition by Firelei Báez. Get ready for incoming February events including reading nights, film screenings, and listening rooms and follow The Black Arts Centre on Instagram to keep up to date with all their programming. |
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| | | Symposia’s 2025 Elevate Cohort Connects with Artist Mentors after PuSh Festival Wrap |
|  | After four weeks of attending shows and workshops with PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, the 2025 Elevate cohort met with their artist mentors to get started on their own creative projects! Symposia, a youth-lead arts management co-op, has been working hard to coordinate this program with a mission to create professional opportunities for racialized and minority youth interested in the performing arts. They’re very excited about their line-up of artist mentors including interdisciplinary, new media, and movement artist, Sammy Chien, queer non-binary Filipinx singer songwriter and rap artist, Kimmortal, sound, stage, and film artist Nancy Tam, and b-boy, dancer, movement artist, Sevrin Emnacen-Boyd. |
| | | Ethos Lab Celebrates Black Futures |
| Ethos Lab’s is celebrating Black Futures Month with a ton of awesome events. On February 6th, they partnered with the Museum of Anthropology for a special evening exploring Atlanthos, a fictional afrofuturist setting. The event included panels with the Atlanthos Griots (the incredible youth who built Atlanthos) as well as experts who push the boundaries of STEAM and storytelling.
Register for their third annual Blackathon on February 21st, 2025 which will include hackathons, mentorship, innovation, and a keynote speaker you won’t want to miss. |
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| | | GENCONNECT PRESENTS: 2025 VICTORIA HERITAGE TRIP! |
| On Sunday, March 9, 2025, GenConnect is getting ready to host 80+ participants from their extensive and growing network of Punjabi seniors.
📖 What’s on the itinerary? 🔸 Langar at a 113-year-old Gurdwara 🔸 Visit the 2nd tallest totem pole in the world 🌲 🔸 Explore Beacon Hill Park 🌸 🔸 Experience cedar weaving at the University of Victoria 🎍 |
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| "Surrey-veillance": Surveying South Asian Youth Perspectives on Community Services & Surveillance in Surrey, BC |
| South Asian Healing Network collaboratively designed this survey with Masters students in the Child, Youth, Family & Community Studies program at the University of Victoria and supervising faculty.
The survey is meant to provide insight on the involvement of community organizations in South Asian youth lives, and the perspectives of South Asian youth on enforcement, surveillance, and stereotypes in Surrey.
This survey will take about 15-20 minutes to complete and each respondent who completes the survey will receive a gift card.
If you are a South Asian Youth (ages 15-29) living in Surrey, please click the link!
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| | | | Celebrating the Shared Histories and Bonds Between Arab and Asian Diasporas |
| On Sunday, February 16th, friends from Parents4Palestine and community member, Hala, displayed booths at Merkado, a cultural market inspired by the timeless connections of the Silk Road.
The event was organized by Filipino BC, Van2Lebanon, Project1907, and Anakbayan BC and items were sold supporting mutual aid efforts for Bilad al-Sham (the Levant) and the Philippines.
This is Hala, a dear friend from our community who sold handmade jewellery, accessories, and arts!
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| You’re Invited to THAWRA! Hosted by Sudanese Solidarity Collective |
| 🗓 Tuesday, March 4, 2025 ⏰ Doors at 5:45 pm 🥣 Event starts with light food/light iftar 🙏 Pay what you can. Suggested $10+ 😷 Masks Required and Provided
Come hear from members of the Sudan Solidarity Collective, an inspiring and dedicated Sudanese-led volunteer collective based in tkaronto! 💕
They will be joining us irl in so-called Vancouver, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh & səlilwətaɬ lands, to speak about the Sudanese Revolution since 2018, and the counter-revolutionary war waged since between the SAF and the EU/UAE-funded RSF. ✊🏽
Follow SCC on instagram to learn more and RSVP.
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| | | RSVP for Anakbayan’s Commemoration: People Power Potluck! |
| Time: February 20, 2025 | 6pm to 9pm Location: Solid State Co-op | 10326 Whalley Blvd, Surrey, BC V3T 4H4
Celebrate Pinoy People Power through Anakbayan’s EDSA 9th commemoration potluck! Together as a community over a warm meal, they invite people from all ages to share their experiences. Whether as a witness or participant in the EDSA uprising, a youth organizer who continues the struggle to this day, or a community member eager to learn more about the history of people’s resistance in the Philippines! |
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