Our journey, 2020 to 2026
Ten friends started CYAC in the summer of 2020. Six years later we are 83 members, with 33 projects behind us and the first national convention for Cameroonian youth in Canada. This is how we got here.
2020
A home away from home
Founded on July 5 by about ten young Cameroonians, with one motto: Empower, Educate, Excel.
July 5
CYAC is founded
About ten young Cameroonians in Calgary hold the first meeting. A short video of it is on our YouTube channel.
August 13 to 14
Our first activity
Volunteering at the Mustard Seed sorting centre, the start of a partnership that continues today.
Christmas
Our first charity support
Members fill shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child.
2021
Giving back, at home and in Cameroon
A year of service in Calgary and our first project in Cameroon.
February
Back to My Roots and the Coldest Night of the Year
A virtual workshop for kids and teens, then our first Coldest Night walk in deep cold and under Covid rules.
March
Three days at the Calgary Drop-In Centre
July 5
First anniversary and the Clothing Drive
August 6
Partnership with iMotivate Youth Group
We sign with iMotivate in Tiko, Southwest Cameroon, for the Anglophone Support project.
December
Our first international humanitarian project
Members, friends and families send clothes, food and building materials to two orphanages in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions.
2022
Growing together
More members, more families and the first links with Edmonton.
February
This is Cameroon
An Instagram series on Cameroon’s regions and history. The name would return in 2026.
February 26
Calgary meets Edmonton
Our Public Relations Officer meets the president of the Cameroonian association of Edmonton to plan work across Alberta.
May 20
Cameroon National Day
Summer
Kids Day Out, Torkos Night and paintball
Kids Day Out took young Cameroonians to the Calgary Zoo, Heritage Park and Telus Spark.
2023
A new generation of leaders
A new executive team and a full social season.
February to April
A new executive team
The new leaders introduce themselves, alongside founding members who stayed on.
May to August
Summer together
A community gathering, a summer camping trip and a colour-themed game night.
2024
Building leaders
Recognition from outside and new opportunities for members.
October 29
Black Ideas Grant winners
CYAC is one of the winners of the Black Ideas Grant: Bridge and Build, from the Foundation for Black Communities and the Government of Canada.
November
Youth workshop
December 27
Our first Youth Career Networking Event
Panelists in health, entrepreneurship and finance meet high school students, international students and job seekers at the Marda Loop Communities Association.
2025
A provincial presence
New partners across Canada and our first soccer matches.
February
Celebrating our mother tongues
With Cameroonian associations in Edmonton, Toronto and Ottawa, in English and French.
March
Women’s Day Paint and Sip
Hosted by the men of CYAC.
May 17
Ça Sort Comme Ça Sort
An Afro-French night with Afro Calgary.
July and August
First soccer matches
Against B2B Luxury in Edmonton, then CYAC Young Lions vs CYAE Indomitable FC in Calgary, with live music and a barbecue.
October 2
This is Cameroon ’26 announced
December 27
Our first Christmas party
2026
A national movement
83 members, and the first national convention for Cameroonian youth in Canada.
March
Braiding and podcast workshops
May 22
This is Cameroon ’26 opens
A sold-out meet and greet and the premiere of Mbenguiste, our first feature film.
May 23
CamYouth Connect and the soccer tournament
A networking conference on the theme “Breaking Through”, then a four-team tournament at Rotary Challenger Park.
May 24
Achombo brunch and the Red Carpet Gala
With sister associations from Edmonton, Ontario and Ottawa-Gatineau.
Later in 2026
The second CYAC vs CYAE match
Calgary and Edmonton meet again on the pitch.
The next chapter is yours
If you are a young Cameroonian aged 18 to 35 in or around Calgary, there is a place for you here.