Road to Economic Prosperity Secretariat Society marks the next phase of a vision launched in 2019 and shaped by African Nova Scotian communities

The African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity (REP) is pleased to announce its transition to the Road to Economic Prosperity Secretariat Society, an independent, community-led non-profit organization dedicated to advancing economic prosperity and well-being for African Nova Scotian communities across Nova Scotia.

This transition marks the next phase of a journey that began with the launch of the Road to Economic Prosperity Plan in 2019. Developed through extensive engagement with African Nova Scotian communities and supported by Halifax Regional Municipality, the Plan established a long-term vision for community economic development rooted in community leadership, collaboration, and self-determination.

Since 2019, REP has operated through an incubation model, initially housed within Halifax Partnership, supporting the initiative to establish governance structures, build strategic partnerships, develop research and measurement tools, and begin implementing community priorities. Throughout this period, the long-term goal remained clear: to build the capacity, relationships, and foundation necessary for REP to become an independent organization accountable first and foremost to the communities it serves.

Today, following five years of growth, partnership-building, and implementation, REP is taking that planned next step through the creation of the Road to Economic Prosperity Secretariat Society. The transition reflects the maturity of the initiative, the strength of its community support, and a shared commitment to ensuring this work remains community-led for generations to come.

"When the Road to Economic Prosperity Plan launched in 2019, we knew this work would require a long-term commitment," said Irvine Carvery, Co-Chair of the REP Advisory Council. "Over the past five years, we have built strong partnerships, strengthened community capacity, advanced research, and expanded our impact across multiple sectors. The addition of Policy Reform as a fourth pillar reflects the evolution of the work and our growing understanding that lasting prosperity requires both community action and systemic change."

While the Road to Economic Prosperity Plan was launched in 2019, the work itself is rooted in decades of advocacy, leadership, and community organizing by African Nova Scotian communities seeking greater economic opportunity, community ownership, and participation in decisions that affect their futures.

Agency has always been central to that work.

The transition to an independent Secretariat Society reflects a belief that communities must continue to have a first voice in shaping priorities, directing resources, evaluating outcomes, and building the institutions that support long-term prosperity. Community economic development is most effective when communities are not simply consulted after decisions are made but are actively leading the process from the beginning.

Throughout REP's incubation period, community members, Elders, youth, leaders, organizations, entrepreneurs, and residents helped shape the vision, identify priorities, and guide implementation. It was the commitment, trust, and participation of communities throughout the past five years that made this transition possible.

"This transition is about more than a new organizational structure," said Dolly Williams, Co-Chair of the REP Advisory Council. "It is about agency, ownership, and ensuring that future generations see African Nova Scotian communities building and leading institutions of our own. We want young people to see what is possible when communities come together with a shared vision and the opportunity to lead their own development."

With support from community members, governments, institutions, and partners, REP has helped establish the foundations of a sustainable community economic development process that strengthens relationships between communities, municipalities, the Province of Nova Scotia, and the Government of Canada while remaining accountable to community priorities.

Over the past five years, REP has:

·      Implemented the first Road to Economic Prosperity Plan;

·      Established Advisory, Youth, and Elders Councils to support community governance;

·      Advanced workforce development, entrepreneurship, and procurement initiatives;

·      Developed the African Nova Scotian Prosperity and Well-Being Index to support evidence-based decision-making;

·      Strengthened partnerships across government, community, academic, and private-sector organizations; and

·      Expanded its strategic priorities to include Policy Reform alongside Unity and Capacity Building, Land and Infrastructure Development, and Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship.

As the Road to Economic Prosperity Secretariat Society, the organization will continue advancing these priorities through a dedicated structure focused on research, community engagement, policy development, partnership building, and implementation support.

The transition reflects the next stage of growth for an initiative that has successfully demonstrated what community-led economic development can achieve. REP will continue working closely with Halifax Regional Municipality, the Province of Nova Scotia, the Government of Canada, community organizations, institutions, and private-sector partners to advance shared goals and opportunities.

The Secretariat Society will provide a stronger platform to address policy, expand partnerships, attract new resources, evaluate progress, and build upon the successes of the first five years. Most importantly, it ensures that the work remains rooted in community leadership while creating greater capacity to support communities across Nova Scotia.

"We are grateful to the many partners, supporters, community members, and governments who have helped build REP over the past five years," said Carolann Wright, Chief Executive Officer of the Road to Economic Prosperity Secretariat Society. "This transition is the result of a shared commitment to community-led development and long-term prosperity. As we begin this next chapter, we invite communities, collaborators, and partners to continue shaping this work with us. The strongest path forward is one that we build together."

The Road to Economic Prosperity Secretariat Society invites communities, organizations, governments, businesses, researchers, funders, and collaborators to join us as we continue building a stronger future for African Nova Scotian communities across Nova Scotia.

Together, we can strengthen partnerships, expand opportunities, and advance a shared vision of prosperity and well-being for current and future generations.

New Office Location

As part of this transition, the Road to Economic Prosperity Secretariat Society is pleased to announce the establishment of its new office location:

Road to Economic Prosperity Secretariat Society

3667 Strawberry Hill St

Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3K 5A8

The new office will serve as a hub for collaboration, community engagement, partnership development, and the continued growth of REP's work across Nova Scotia.

Save the Date

Community members, partners, supporters, and stakeholders are invited to join us in celebrating this important milestone.

Official Launch and Open House

Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Time: 12:00-3:00PM

Location: 3667 Strawberry Hill St, Unit 101

Additional details and registration information will be shared in the coming weeks.

We look forward to celebrating this next chapter with the communities and partners who have helped make it possible.