​Juanita Black, the founding editor of Around the Block, is well known for her voice as a poverty advocate, working together with others to bring about change at the local, provincial and national levels. Her experience as a young single mother living in poverty has been a big inspiration to give back. She has dedicated her life to being a volunteer leader in her neighbourhood, a mentor in her community and a champion at the provincial and federal level to promote fairness and justice and a better quality of life for all. She illustrates the power of the voice of lived experience and the power of one working with others to bring about change!

Juanita’s powerful message in building a more caring community is captured in a new documentary film, Perseverance: The Juanita Black Story which charts more than 30 years she’s spent as a volunteer, poverty advocate, mentor, philanthropist and neighbourhood leader.