Connect with talented music makers in the Canada community
@upliftblack
Founded in 2020, UPlift Black began as a visionary movement to foster social justice and inclusion in Simcoe County. In just five years, we have scaled from a grassroots initiative into a cornerstone of the Barrie community, recently expanding into our landmark 6,500 sq. ft. facility at 60 Bell Farm Road. This state-of-the-art space serves as a vibrant hub where social innovation meets community care. Our growth is fueled by a dedicated core team of 14, which remains 85% Black-led, ensuring our programs are governed by authentic lived experience. We now serve over 140 members through transformative initiatives that earned major recognition in 2025: the Barrie Arts Award for Contribution to Community and the Simcoe County Newcomer Recognition Award. By integrating a social enterprise model through our UP BeatBox Creative Studio, we have moved toward financial self-determination while creating local jobs. However, our proudest milestone is the deep network of allied partnerships we’ve built across the city. UPlift Black has evolved into a vital community asset that brings people together, proving that when we invest in belonging, we build a more prosperous and vibrant Barrie for everyone.
