On March 8, 2025, International Women’s Day, the Road to Economic Prosperity (REP) hosted their International Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Mikeya Griffin, Executive Director of Rondo Community Land Trust, was the featured international speaker for the Fireside Chat, “Strengthening Capacity by Building Capital,” facilitated by Shekara Grant, founder of the Weymouth Falls Community Land Trust and co-chair of the REP Youth Council. The conversation focused on the role of community land trusts in building long-term economic sustainability.

The Road to Economic Prosperity (REP) is a community-led initiative focused on advancing sustainable economic development in African Nova Scotian communities by strengthening unity and capacity, increasing land and infrastructure development, and creating opportunities for employment, education, and entrepreneurship. Now in its fifth year of executing a five-year economic development plan, REP is working to sustain its impact long-term, ensuring continued progress in Black communities across the province.

Nova Scotia, Canada, is home to over 50 African Nova Scotian communities, established as early as the 1700s. These communities, much like their African American counterparts, have faced significant systemic barriers to land ownership and economic stability. The discussion explored how land trusts can help communities preserve land, provide affordable housing, and create opportunities for generational wealth. With African Nova Scotian communities increasingly looking to land trusts as a model for sustainable development, the conversation provided valuable insights into strategies for strengthening community influence and long-term stewardship of land and assets.

To learn more about the work of the Road to Economic Prosperity visit anseconomicprosperity.com