The official launch of the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement

BY PAUL JUNOR

The inaugural virtual celebration of the official launch of the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement was an occasion marked by joy, happiness and hope.

As the first of its kind in Canada, it is a testament to the resilience, pride and hope of the African-Canadian community in Toronto. It was moderated by Itah Sadu, who for years has been committed to providing a space for emerging artists, writers, educators and storytellers as the Manager Director of A Different Booklist Cultural Centre: The People’s Residence.

It featured spoken word artist Randell Adjei, who recently became Ontario’s first Poet Laureate. He spoke from the heart about the importance of the Centre to the lived social realities of black students in Toronto. He titled his poem, “What does the Spirit of Excellence mean.”  He states, “It gives me hope and something to believe in.” The mandates of the Centre of Excellence can be seen in a news release from the TDSB on June 17^th, 2020 as:

• Provide support to black students to combat racism, navigate complaint processes, identify barriers to success and access appropriate resources
• Use evidence to highlight promising policies, and engage in meaningful research of topics relevant to black students
• Create professional learning in an anti-black racism and collaborate with other staff
• Identify, develop and facilitate culturally responsive and relevant healing practices for a group of students.
• Inform changes to policies and procedures so that all students may benefit from the learning and innovative practices developed by the Centre
• Establish mechanisms to monitor improvements
• Provide annual accountability reports and recommendations to the Board
• Support meaningful; engagement and advocacy of caregivers for their children in TDSB schools and programs and improve communication to them about black student’s success, system navigation and complaint processes
• Engage in strategic community partnerships related to education within the annually identified approved budget for this purpose.

Dr. George, Professor of Social Justice Education of the University of Toronto, itemizes eight areas that the Centre can be involved in to bring attention to contemporary challenges of black excellence. Dr.Carl E. James, Professor of Education at York University who has played a part in the Centre’s development, spoke about the importance of community advocacy and what he foresees its future role. Dr. Nicole West-Burns, CEO of NWB Consulting reiterates the importance that black educators play in the system and their continued importance in the life of the Centre. Dr, Njoki Wane, Professor at the University of Toronto identified four areas in which the Centre can contribute to the healing of black students and their families.

The Centre will be located at Winston Churchill High School, in Scarborough, Ontario.