October 2025
This September, The Centre for Black Student Excellence hosted its first virtual session, Understanding and Navigating the Education System, and we look forward to continuing these important conversations together at our upcoming monthly meetings. Please register using the link provided below. We also held our first in-person event of the year, Starting the School Year with Success, on September 29th at Keswick High School, where families participated in a variety of engaging workshops. It is always a pleasure to connect with our communities and families, and we look forward to welcoming you to our next in-person event, The Power of Pause: Roots for Renewal, will be coming in November. More information coming soon…
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
Accelerated OYAP and Apprenticeship Information Night
Date: Wednesday, October 15th, 2025, 6:30- 8:30 p.m.
Join us on a night to learn about Apprenticeship Pathways and our Accelerated OYAP Program for students and their families who are considering a career in the skilled trades. Learn more and register to attend this virtual information night.
Grade 8 Open House Information Nights
Dates: Various, starting October 16, 2025
Secondary schools are hosting information sessions. Session dates, times and specialized programs have been posted. See the list of open house dates on the Board website.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Information Night
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
Students in York Region have the opportunity to earn the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in addition to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, offered at five regional secondary schools. Students who start Grade 8 in September 2025 and their parents/guardians are invited to attend an International Baccalaureate Information session. Learn more.
Understanding and Navigating the Education System: Families of YRDSB Black Students - Virtual Information Session
Date: October 27, 2025, 8:00 p.m.
Families, parents, caregivers, please join us for our monthly virtual meetings where families with Black children come together to learn about resources and upcoming programs for Black students in both elementary and secondary schools. Learn more and register.
Upcoming Community Events and Announcements
Caribbean Cooking Demonstration
Date: October 4, 2025, 1-3 p.m.
In partnership with Aurora Black Community and York Region Food Network. Join us for a lively cooking demonstration that celebrates Caribbean culture through the rich flavors of ground provisions - yam, cassava, dasheen, and more! Discover the history and cultural significance of these staple ingredients and enjoy a taste of traditional Caribbean Saturday soup. Come watch, taste and learn!
You won’t want to miss this flavorful experience that connects food, history and community.
Location: Aurora Public Library, Magna Room, 15145 Yonge Street, Aurora, 4G 1M1
Registration is available through Eventbrite.
Black Youth Leadership Symposium 2025
Date: October 16, 2025, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities (YRAACC) will be hosting the Black Youth Leadership Symposium 2025 at the Community Safety Village, 3291 Stouffville Road, Whitchurch-Stouffville, L4A 7X5. Join us for this free event. More information is available on the YRAACC Website.
NACCA Roots & Branches
Saturday, October 4, 2025, 10am - 1 pm
Celebrate Black family roots, strengths & dreams through storytelling and are, we’ll explore our histories and build a shared future-together.
NACCA Hub, 449 Eagle St, Newmarket
Please register online For any questions, please email Josie Rose at jrose@naccacommunity.ca.
NACCA 2nd Annual Lifting the Veil on Black Mental Health Conference - Ubuntu and Supporting the Next Generation
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association invites you to join us as we create space for truth-telling, healing, and collective growth. Grounded in the African principle of Ubuntu, this conference affirms that the well-being of our youth is inseparable from the strength of our families, communities, and ancestors.
Together, we will explore pathways to nurture resilience, dismantle stigma, and plant seeds of hope — ensuring that the next generation rises with strong minds, proud identities, and rooted connections.
Please register online. For any questions, please email Josie Rose at jrose@naccacommunity.ca.
NACCA Black Youth Mental Wellness Empowerment Series
Dates: Multiple Dates October - June
Eight week Africentric workshop for Black youth (Grades 5-12) in York Region
Culturally affirming sessions on resilience, identity, and empowerment through peer connection, activities, and wellness tools.
Hybrid: In-person and virtual.
NACCA Hub, 449 Eagle St, Newmarket. Led by a mental health clinician.
Ages 12 and under: 6-7 pm
Ages 13 and up: 7-8 pm
Cohort 1: Oct. 9-Nov. 27, 2025
Cohort 2: Dec. 4, 2025-Feb.19, 2026
Cohort 3: Feb. 26-Apr. 23, 2026
Cohort 4: Apr. 30-Jun. 18, 2026
For any questions and registration, please email Josie Rose at jrose@naccacommunity.ca.
SANKOFA Cultural Identity Programs
Multiple dates October-June
York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities (YRAACC) offers SANKOFA Mentoring, Cultural Identity Programs. In person at Bur Oak S.S., 933 Bur Oak Ave, Markham from 10 am - 1:00 pm on the following dates;
October 4, 18, November 1, 15, 29, December 13, 2025
January 10, 24, February 7, 21, March 7, April 18, May 2, 30, June 13, 2026
Black History Month Event ‘Save the Date’
Date: February, 14, 2026, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities (YRAACC) will be hosting a Black History Month Event. More information to come.
Community Agencies
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
Learn more about Black community agencies that provide supports in your area:
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)