Since 2011, Jamii (Swahili for "community") has enlivened The Esplanade – one of downtown Toronto’s most unique & diverse communities. Through the production of over 130+ memorable arts-based experiences that recognize and celebrate all people and genders while nurturing female leadership, Jamii strengthens community and lifts spirits.

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FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHAT WE DO HERE.

Jamii is blessed to be supported, advised and guided by an amazing team of wonderful individuals who are deeply committed to Jamii’s mission and long-term sustainability. To each members of our Board of Directors, our heart is full of gratitude for your leadership. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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FIND OUT WHO IS ON THE JAMII BOARD HERE.

If we do all what we do, it is thanks to an amazingly supportive community. Local groups, residential buildings, neighbourhoods associations are all very supportive of our initiatives and never shy stepping in to help us out making magic in our streets.

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Check out who composes our community, such as the St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association, Market Lane Public School, and Woodsworth Co-Op. 

What would be the point of producing projects, events, workshops, if  no one was to come. 

How we do the magic depends on who shows up at our events, who takes part into our workshops and who joins in to co-create with us. These people shape up the success of our endeavours  and without each of them, Jamii would be meaningless.

Isorrine founded Jamii in 2011 and has since led the organization with passion, commitmment, and endless creativity.

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READ HERE THE GENESIS STORY OF JAMII

AND READ MORE ABOUT ISORINE HERE.

Even though all our programming is free for all, as you can guess, all the workshops, projects, events we are producing need to be funded.

We are extremly grateful for the support of Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Government, Canadian Heritage, and Government of Canada. 

We also rely on the support of private funders and sponsors: we can name the Metcalf Foundation, TD Ready Commitment, RBC Foundation and many others.

Last but not list, local businesses supporting our work such as the BErkeley Castle are vital in making surre Jamii can fulfill its mission.

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SEE OUR CURRENT FUNDERS, SPONSORS AND PARTNERS HERE.

Jamii is a charitable organization (80387 3207 RR0001)  and thus can receive donations and provide receipts for tax purposes.

Jamii has about 50 individuals who are  committed  to make a difference and allow us to initiative all our projects. The impact is direct: covering for the fee of an artist to lead a series of musical workshops for youth; supporting our capacity to promote our events to the local community; or helping us to purchase new spearkers for our outdoors concerts.

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YOU TOO, SUPPORT JAMII: MAKE A DONATION.

In 2020, Jamii was the Recipient of the Community Arts Award by the Toronto Arts Foundation.

A milestone for Jamii.

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READ OUR ACCEPTANCE SPEECH HERE.

Behind every event, exhibit, workshops, there is a team of skilled, dedicated, talented visionaries and producers, who believe that Jamii’s impact on the Esplanade community and beyond is worth all the energy, time and efforts we are pouring into our organization - all year-long.

Remarkable work can only be done by remarkable people. 

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Some of our key team members through the years have been Zoie Edwards, Zarita Adhiambo, DeeAnn Sagar, and Jasmin Linton.

In 2020, Jamii and Canadian Stage, both based in the The Esplanade & St Lawrence neighbourhoods, made a powerful commitment to one another and to the local community.  They joined forces with the intention of growing capacity and leveraging resources, which is meant to increase the quality of the collective arts experience, forThe Esplanade community.

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READ ON TO SEE HOW THIS PARTNERSHIP TRANSFORMED IN AMAZING PROJECTS.

While we come up with ideas of projects, workshops and events we could produce, really, it is the artists we are collaborating with who are creating Jamii's identity and artistic success. 

It is their music, their dance, their photos their films, their skills, their talents and  their  leadeship  that  give us make what Jamii is and does.