Our Programs
At Better Not Bitter Society, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to move from surviving to thriving.
Founded by Black female leader and survivor Mariat Jibril, our community-based programs are rooted in lived experience and designed to strengthen mental well-being, resilience, belonging, and leadership through education, connection, and shared learning.
Our programs create safe, inclusive spaces where individuals, particularly women and equity-deserving communities facing systemic barriers can build confidence, develop new skills, strengthen social connections, and unlock opportunities for personal and economic growth.
Together, we are creating stronger, more connected communities where healing becomes the foundation for leadership, participation, and lasting positive change.
Each of our programs is designed to foster healing, empowerment, and community growth, turning challenges into opportunities for meaningful impact and lasting transformation.
BNBS THRIVING WOMEN PROJECT
Dismantling Barriers to Wealth & Wellness
The Thriving Women Project is a community-based education and empowerment initiative that supports women particularly Black, racialized, Indigenous, and equity-deserving communities to overcome barriers to safety, well-being, leadership, and economic participation.
Rooted in lived experience, we help survivors of gender-based violence move from surviving to thriving by creating opportunities for healing, learning, and personal growth.
Through education, peer connection, mentorship, and capacity-building, participants strengthen financial confidence, life skills, resilience, and overall well-being.
Our vision is for every woman to achieve safety, financial independence, and the confidence to build a fulfilling future while contributing meaningfully to her family, workplace, and community.
 Program Highlight |  Thriving Women Event |  Thriving Women Event |  Thriving Women Event |  Thriving Women Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Thriving Women Event |  Thriving Women Event |  Thriving Women Event |  |  Thriving Women Event |
 Thriving Women Event |  Thriving Women Event |  Thriving Women Event |  Thriving Women Event |  Thriving Women Event |
 BNBS Masterclass Series |  BNBS Masterclass Series |  BNBS Masterclass Series |  BNBS Masterclass Series |  BNBS Masterclass Series |
 BNBS Masterclass Series |  BNBS Masterclass Series |  BNBS Masterclass Series |  BNBS Masterclass Series |  BNBS Masterclass Series |
BNBS Youth
BNBS Youth Resilience Lab
The BNBS Youth Resilience Lab is a community-based prevention and education initiative that equips youth and young adults with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to build positive mental well-being and healthy relationships.
Our goal is early intervention helping young people understand how their actions, words, and choices can affect both their own mental health and the well-being of others. Through education, awareness, and practical skill-building, we address topics such as bullying, gender-based violence, healthy relationships, emotional regulation, digital citizenship, and resilience before challenges become crises.
Through school-based programs and community outreach, participants develop emotional literacy, empathy, leadership, confidence, and healthy coping strategies, empowering them to thrive as compassionate, resilient, and community-minded leaders.
M.E.N
Men Expressing Network
M.E.N. (Men Expressing Network) is a community-based education and peer support initiative that empowers men to strengthen their mental well-being, build meaningful connections, and develop the confidence to seek support when they need it.
Recognizing that many men are taught to suppress emotions and "push through," the program creates safe, respectful spaces for open conversation, shared learning, and personal growth. Through facilitated discussions and educational workshops, participants build emotional literacy, resilience, healthy coping strategies, and greater awareness of mental well-being.
The program also promotes education on healthy relationships, respectful communication, gender-based violence prevention, and the positive role men can play in creating safer families, workplaces, and communities. By reducing stigma and encouraging vulnerability, M.E.N. helps men lead healthier, more authentic lives while becoming allies, role models, and champions for positive change.
The Annual BNB Summit
Choose Better, Live Better
The Annual Better Not Bitter (BNB) Summit brings together participants from our three core programs:
Thriving Women Group
Men Expressing Network (M.E.N),
Youth Program
as a powerful culmination of year-round community engagement.
Through these programs, individuals access safe, inclusive spaces for peer connection, storytelling, and educational sessions focused on mental well-being, personal development, and community well-being.
The Summit is a community-based public education event that amplifies lived experiences, strengthens connection, and advances mental health awareness and inclusion. It is where stories are shared, stigma is challenged, and community bonds are deepened.
More than a single event, the BNB Summit reflects our ongoing commitment to building a resilient, connected community where individuals can grow, belong, and thrive together.
Beyond a movement, it is humanity.
THE ALLY BUDDY PROGRAM
Peer connection for mental wellbeing
The Better Not Bitter Society Ally Buddy Program is a structured, peer-based mental health initiative designed to reduce isolation and strengthen emotional wellbeing. Participants are thoughtfully matched (“buddies”) based on shared lived experiences and goals, fostering supportive, trust-based relationships.
The program includes guided check-ins, conversation tools, and access to community resources, creating a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental space for connection. It is evidence-informed and preventative, drawing on research that highlights the benefits of peer support and social connection on mental health outcomes.
While not a clinical service, the program complements professional care by enhancing protective factors such as belonging and resilience. Where appropriate, participants may be referred to qualified mental health professionals.
Join Us!
Be part of a community committed to creating meaningful change through learning, connection, and shared experience.
Whether you are joining to learn, grow, or contribute your expertise through our Masterclass Series, your participation supports education, inclusion, and community well-being.
Join us today and help strengthen connection, understanding, and positive community impact.