June 2025
Thank you for subscribing to the mailing list. This newsletter is designed to share timely information with families of Black students in York Region District School Board, including information about school board and community programs and events. You can expect to receive updates one to two times per month.
We also welcome you to visit our Centre for Black Student Excellence on the board website to find information about our programs, Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy, resources for students and families and links to community agencies.
To send your inquiries or feedback, please email: BlackStudentExcellence@yrdsb.ca
YRDSB News and Events
Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy Steering Committee
The York Region District School Board’s Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy Steering Committee is now being chaired by members of the community. The committee is currently co-chaired by three community members: Michael Bowe, Phiona Durrant and Dr. Jeffrey Thompson. Watch this video to hear more from the three co-chairs about what this change means.
Understanding and Navigating the Education - Families of YRDSB Black Students Monthly Information Session
Date: Monday, June 16, 2025
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual Meeting
Families, parents and caregivers, please join us for our monthly virtual meeting on Monday, June 16,, 2025 from 6:30- 7:30 p.m., where families with Black children come together to learn about resources and upcoming programs for Black students in both elementary and secondary schools. Please register online.
Upcoming Community Events and Announcements
Black Foundation of Community Networks Scholarship Application Workshop
The Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN) invites Black students and their families to a free online workshop on how to search, prepare, and apply for scholarships.
Date: Friday, June 6, 2025
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Location: Virtually on Zoom
You will receive your unique Zoom link via email upon registration. A reminder email and further details will also be sent to registrants on the day of the event. Register on Zoom.
Please note the BFCN Scholarship Directory is updated periodically throughout the year.
For more information please contact info@bfcn.ca or 416-566-2731
The Canadian Black Nurses Alliance - York University Nursing Summer High-School Workshop 2025
The Canadian Black Nurses Alliance - York University is hosting a Nursing High-School Summer Workshop for students in grades 9-12. The deadline to register is June 23, 2025.
Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Health, Nursing and Environmental Studies Building (HNES),York University Keele Campus.
Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association
MACCA will be awarding scholarships of $1,000.00 to selected recipients.
Please visit the website for more information and to register. The deadline to apply is Monday, June 30 2025.
Arts & Culture Jamaica Scholarship Fund
The Arts & Culture Jamaica Scholarship Fund offers financial support to talented young people of Jamaican heritage pursuing a career in the arts. The deadline to apply is July 1, 2025. For more information and to apply please visit the website.
Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association
MACCA is offering a Reading and Robotics Summer Camp for ages 6-12 years old at Wilclay P.S.
Registration and fees are due by July 1, 2025. Please visit the website for more information.
For questions and more information please contact summercamp@macca1987.com or 905-946-9998.
Community Agencies
Learn more about Black community agencies that provide supports in your area:
The Alliance of Educators for Black Students (AEBS)
AEBS is committed to promoting well-being and excellence in achievement for students of African/ Caribbean heritage. You can follow them on Twitter @AEBSyrdsb
Aurora Black Community (ABC)
The Aurora Black Community Association (ABC) is led by a dedicated group committed to the work needed to dismantle anti-racism and discrimination, elevate and marginalize voice and bridge culture. ABC community is proud to be the reason the town of Aurora has officially declared February as Black History Month.
ANCHOR Formerly Vaughan African Canadian Association
ANCHOR offers the program aims to find your child’s trouble areas in understanding vocabulary, spelling, and grammar. This program will help strengthen subject comprehension, boost confidence, and improve their reading and writing skills.
Black York Region Youth (BYR Youth)
Black York Region Youth (BYR Youth) was founded in 2020 with the purpose of combating anti-Black racism, systemic racism, anti-Indigenous hate, and discrimination in all of its forms within York Region and its surrounding communities.
Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association (MACCA)
At MACCA, Students will follow a grade-appropriate curriculum. Curriculum content will evolve into the study of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and will be Afri-centric based.
Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA)
NACCA’s vision is to focus on African positive identity formation/ Rites of passage as a foundation for mental wellness, and supporting children in developing a positive sense of self. NACCA offers culturally relevant Mental Health Education and Counseling support programs for Black youth and families; financial literacy program; educational programs for the entire family; food security program; presentations and workshops to educate about racial prejudice & bias to reduce discrimination; annual scholarship program and more!
The Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN)
The Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2011 and continues to serve and support local Black communities. Based in Vaughan, Ontario but proudly serves and supports Black communities across the province. BFCN provides free and low-cost programs, advocacy, and resources, and connects people with other local organizations and services.
York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities (YRAACC)
YRAACC/ Sankofa Program offers an African-centered curriculum that is focused on activities that provide workshop sessions for students to explore their racial and cultural identity, self-esteem, critical thinking, self-reflection, teamwork, and community building. The program’s framework is based on The Seven Principles (The Nguzo Saba) The principles are Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination); Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility); Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics); Nia (Purpose); Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith).
Parents of Black Children
OMO Africentric virtual campus tutoring initiative offered by Parents of Black Children is a free high-touch tutoring program for Black students. Students receive tutoring twice weekly in French, Math, and English (Language Arts). Tutoring takes place on the Omo Africentric Campus. 1-on-1 tutoring support provided. To learn more, watch The Omo Africentric Campus is Back! video or visit Parents of Black Children.
Volunteer Opportunities
Students are encouraged to connect with community organizations in their local communities to find volunteer jobs, to develop leadership and team building skills. Here are a few links to review.
BFCN – Black Foundation of Community Networks
York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities (yorkregionaacc.ca)
Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association (MACCA)