Peer Equity Navigators

What is it?

6-module training program

Who is it for?

Members of the African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) community in Ottawa

How long does it take?

3–6 weeks

How much does it cost?

The Critical Health and Racial Literacy (CHRL) for Peer Equity Navigators (PENs) training program is a dynamic, community-based initiative led by the Collaborative Critical Research for Equity and Transformation in Health (CO-CREATH) Lab at the University of Ottawa, in partnership with the Canadians of African Descent Health Organization (CADHO).

Why This Program Matters

Many African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) Canadians face significant barriers to accessing reliable, culturally relevant health information. These challenges include:

A lack of race-based data and culturally safe health promotion.
Widespread distrust in the healthcare system due to historical and ongoing systemic racism.
Limited access to tailored, community-specific health education.
Culturally inappropriate services that don’t reflect the lived realities of ACB individuals.

As a result, members of ACB communities often underutilize preventive health services, delay seeking care, or rely on informal or inaccurate sources for health information. These systemic gaps contribute to disproportionate burdens of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, mental health challenges, and perinatal health disparities.

Our Vision: Community Empowerment through Knowledge

The CHRL-PENs training program responds to this urgent need by equipping Peer Equity Navigators (PENs) with the skills, tools, and knowledge to:

Promote health and racial literacy within their communities
Bridge gaps in service access and utilization
Foster trust and advocacy in the healthcare system
Act as “changemakers” who empower others and advance health equity

This community-facing, peer-driven initiative is grounded in evidence-based practices, critical health education, and anti-racist principles. It is designed to build sustainable capacity within ACB communities and support long-term improvements in health outcomes and equity.

Program Objectives

The CHRL-PENs program aims to:

Enhance knowledge of health disparities, social determinants of health (SDOH), racism, anti-racism, advocacy, and cultural competence in ACB contexts.
Equip PENs with the confidence and skills to act as advocates and trusted health information brokers in their communities.
Increase access to up-to-date, relevant, and community-specific health information.

Program Structure

The CHRL-PENs curriculum is delivered over a 3-week period, consisting of six 2-hour training modules. Topics include:

The history and contributions of Black Canadians.
Social, political, cultural, and economic conditions that influence health.
The impact of systemic and interpersonal racism on health outcomes.
Health conditions disproportionately affecting ACB populations.
Strategies for disease prevention and health promotion.

Interactive and Reflective Learning

Each module integrates a mix of asynchronous (self-paced) and synchronous (live) learning to encourage deep engagement and collaboration. The program also features critical reflection exercises, including:

Personal reflections on identity and lived experiences as an ACB individual or ally.
Exploration of your role and journey as a Peer Equity Navigator.
Reflections on your practicum experience with community-based mentorship and support.

Join the Movement for Health Equity

Through the CHRL-PENs training program, we are cultivating a network of empowered, knowledgeable, and community-rooted Peer Equity Navigators who are reshaping health access and outcomes for ACB communities across Canada.

Critical Health and Racial Literacy (CHRL) for Peer Equity Navigators

Capacity Building