Aurora, ON – In honour of Black History Month, York Region District School Board (YRDSB) held a poster contest to determine the official YRDSB Black History Month poster for 2021.
The theme of the 2020 YRDSB Black History Month celebration was Celebrating Black Excellence, and artists were encouraged to reflect the theme in their designs. In February, over 250 designs were submitted and a panel of experts selected four finalists.
Due to the school closures, the final vote was delayed but took place from June 3-5, 2020 on social media with voting open to all YRDSB students and staff.
The four finalists were:
- Mostafa Abdelhamid
- Stephanie Harja
- Jeremy Junmany
- Analisa Reale
The winning design was created by Mostafa Abdelahmid from Woodbridge College and will be the official YRDSB Black History Month poster for 2021.
“As a student at Woodbridge College, having my Black History Month design selected is an huge honour especially in a challenging time like this,” said Mostafa Abdelhamid, Woodbridge College Student. “I love knowing that my design will play a role spread around YRDSB, and everyone should have their own role to play to represent Black Excellence. We should be the protectors of today to live with harmony in the future."
“The Board’s focus on Black Excellence during Black History Month this year was a meaningful step forward in elevating the voices of our Black communities,” said Cecil Roach, Coordinating Superintendent of Equity and Indigenous Education. “It is essential to address and eliminate anti-Black racism and celebrating our Black communities is part of that. I hope that when our Black students walk the halls of our schools and see this poster, they know they are celebrated, valued and heard.”
The York Region District School Board thanks everyone who participated in the contest and all those who voted.
York Region District School Board is the third largest school district in Ontario with over 127,000 students in 180 elementary schools and 33 secondary schools. York Region students consistently perform above average in provincial testing and the Board is one of the top achievers in Ontario. For more information about the York Region District School Board, please visit the Board website and follow YRDSB on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
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