Please find below The Centre for Black Student Excellence May Newsletter.
We invite you to explore our online presence at www.yrdsb.ca/blackexcellence to:
- Access videos, resources and information about community partners.
- Learn more about our work to dismantle anti-Black racism, guided by our strategy.
- Celebrate Black excellence through video, feature stories, podcasts and more.
- Find out about programs available to Black students and families.
- Check out our new community newsletter.
- And much more.
YRDSB Upcoming Events
Celebrating Black Excellence Campaign
YRDSB will be celebrating Black History Month and beyond with Celebrating Black Excellence - Black Voices. Staff, students and community members who identify as Black are invited to make submissions. Learn more.
YRDSB Programs
Racial Literacy Workshop - Master class for Black Families and Youth
The Centre for Black Student Excellence (CBSE) invites YRDSB students who self-identify as Black and their parents/guardians to attend a Black Excellence Program Master Class with special guest, Dr. Howard C. Stevenson Register Now!
Building an Understanding of Anti-Black Islamophobia
In this session hosted by YRDSB and the National Council of Canadian Muslims, participants will explore the interlocking impact of anti-Blackness and Islamophobia on Black Muslim Communities and Black Muslim Students. Register Now!
The Come Up Summer Program 2023
The Come Up summer program is a unique in-person course offered to self-identifying Black students in the York Region District School Board. It also includes guest speakers, field trips, lunch and swag.
Black students entering grade 9 or grade 10 have an opportunity to earn a high school credit. Students entering grade 9 will earn the grade 10 Civics/Career compulsory credit.
Students entering grade 10 will earn a grade 11 Black History elective credit. Students who earn the grade 11 Black History credit will have the option to use this credit to fulfill the compulsory grade 10 Canadian History requirement. The registration period is from April 11, 2023 to May 26, 2023. For more information visit https://www2.yrdsb.ca/thecomeup
Black Excellence Program
The vision of the Black Excellence Program, (BEP), is to advance the achievement, wellbeing and sense of belonging of Black students in YRDSB schools through responsive programming that affirms their identity, builds on their strengths, and enhances their access to academic opportunities after high school. Students will have opportunities to learn from each other, experts from diverse fields, and mentors who will uplift, inspire and encourage them.
Ascending Sisters Pilot Project
In alignment with the Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy, Ascending Sisters serves as a mentorship program that connects Black girls and Black non-binary students with self-identified Black YRDSB staff (e.g., teachers, educational assistants, Child and Youth workers, support professionals, administrators). Cisgender girls, transgender girls and non binary students from grades 7-10 in selected pilot schools are all welcome to participate.
Through targeted wellness, health and mentorship opportunities, students will be provided with the opportunity to develop a stronger sense of self, promote healing, increase ability to advocate, communicate effectively and further enhance their leadership skills.
Please contact the Black Excellence Planning Team at ascendingsisters@yrdsb.ca if you have further questions.
Rise Brothers
Rise Brothers is committed to supporting Black males–elementary & secondary students–from grades 7 to 12. Through school contacts, participating schools will be asked to recommend Black male students who fit the following new criteria:
- Black male-identified
- Presently achieving level 2 or below (elementary) or credit deficient (secondary)
- Have experienced attendance challenges
- Have a problematic school discipline history
Please take a look at our promotional video, which outlines the program’s vision and goals.
Please contact the Black Excellence Planning Team at Blackexcellence@yrdsb.ca if you have further questions.
Partners
The Alliance of Educators for Black Students (AEBS) is committed to promoting well-being and excellence in achievement for students of African/ Caribbean heritage. You can follow them on Twitter @AEBSyrdsb
Learn more about Black community agencies that provide supports in your area:
ANCHOR (Formerly Vaughan African Canadian Association (VACA)
Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association (MACCA)
Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA)
The Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN)
York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities (YRAACC)
Upcoming Community Events
Markham Public Library
Markham Public Library is excited to announce the launch of its revitalized Black Heritage Collection! Join us at Milliken Mills Library on May 6th to celebrate this significant milestone.
Enjoy a special storytime by renowned author and storyteller Sandra Whiting; drumming performance by local musician Richard Best as well as fun family activities. You will also get a chance to meet Mayor Scarpitti and Dr. Mary Anne Chambers as they will be giving remarks to commemorate this special day. Register Now!
Youth School Success Initiative Registration Open
Youth School Success Initiative (YSSI) is an ethno-specific collaborative made up of 7 York and Toronto-based agencies working together to empower the educational and holistic success of black youth in York and Toronto regions. YSSI will deliver a wrap-around program that best meets the needs of identified Black youth in the York Region and Toronto District School Boards.
SHINE Podcast
Listen to the SHINE Podcast
In this episode of Shine, host Mawuli Chai welcomes Cecil Roach, Associate Director, Equitable Outcomes and Schools; and Darcie Sutherland, Principal, Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy to talk about the work of dismantling anti-Black racism.
Listen Now!
To request support from a member of the Centre for Black Student Excellence team please email BlackStudentExcellence@yrdsb.ca