Miss This, Miss Out: How BSSLP 2025 is shaping Toronto’s next Black leaders

July 2025 was a month of transformation for students in the Black Student Leadership Program (BSSLP). Their journey (documented in the BSSLP magazine) showcased events, stories, and connections that reflected the year’s theme: “From the Village to the Vision: Leadership Born of Community.”

Inspired by the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child,” the program highlighted the: collective care, cultural pride, and intergenerational wisdom that fuel Black youth leadership. As the magazine put it, leadership “Doesn’t grow in isolation, it’s nurtured by the hands, hearts, and histories of those who uplift, guide, and believe.”

The program officially launched on July 2^nd, 2025, at George Brown College. Orientation began with a welcome from Clayton La Touche, Director at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), who called each leadership journey “A reason for celebration.”

Dr. Terry McQuaid, George Brown’s community liaison, introduced a video message from President Dr. Gervan Fearon. His words focused on the power and purpose of student voices, “Your voice, your action, and your decisions matter. Others are watching, learning, and inspired by you.”

The day was energized by Audley Salmon, TDSB Associate Director, who led a lively roll call of schools, urging students to speak proudly and connect with each other. Karen Murray, TDSB System Superintendent, reinforced the theme, reminding students that leadership is never a solitary pursuit, it’s supported by a “protective village” devoted to their success.

BSSLP’s 2025 magazine, spearheaded by Senior Research Coordinator Tanitia Munroe, spotlighted over 100 Black youth in: experiential learning, research, and professional development across Toronto.

Highlights included:

• If I Were Mayor: Youth Envision Change
  Peer mentor Sophia Barnett guided junior leaders as they designed proposals on housing, food security, unemployment, community safety, education, and mental health. The activity honed critical thinking and amplified youth voices.
• Balancing Checks and Avoiding Strikes
  Donuelle, a peer mentor, described a financial literacy workshop led by Dean Chambers and Craig Brown, founders of Check Over Strikes. Their message was clear: “Make money work for you—not the other way around.”

• Preparing for Success
  Peer mentor Akaiah detailed a day of professional development. Morning workshops included “What Would You Do?” and “Speak Up: The Art of Public Speaking”. Afternoon sessions focused on professional communication and leadership in action.
• Strong Minds, Strong Careers
  Amontaye Mullings shared how Patricia Bailey Brown, a registered social worker, taught the importance of boundaries, stress awareness, and self-care in workplace success.
• The Class of 2025
  Peer mentor Sachiel Andre celebrated 65 graduates who earned scholarships, awards, and bursaries for their academic excellence.

In her closing reflection, Tanitia Munroe captured the heart of BSSLP’s mission, “This theme is more than a guiding phrase, it’s a daily practice. Through workshops, mentorship, and reflection, we see that Black youth leadership is sustained by love, wisdom, and a shared commitment to transformation.”