Celebrating Black excellence: DBEN’s 20-Year Legacy of Impact in Durham

Since 2005, the Durham Black Educators’ Network (DBEN) has created lasting impact across the Durham region. Founded to strengthen the educational experience of: Black, African, and Caribbean students, families, and educators, DBEN continues to bridge equity gaps through mentorship, cultural celebration, and advocacy.

From the beginning, DBEN cultivated a meaningful partnership with the Durham District School Board (DDSB), a relationship that empowers African-Canadian employees and fosters inclusive leadership within schools. At its core, DBEN is driven by one mission: to ensure that Black students and families feel: seen, supported, and celebrated.

One of its proudest initiatives (the Cultivating Awards) began in 2012 as a way to spotlight Black excellence within Durham’s school system. Originally called the “Activating Student Success Awards,” the program evolved alongside DBEN’s growing reach and vision. Now, over a decade later, these awards recognize the: brilliance, resilience, and leadership of Black youth in over 20 distinct categories.

As stated in the awards program, “We’re forever evolving, always listening, and always working to meet the needs of our community. Through: mentorship, culture, advocacy, and education, we’re here to ensure Black students and families feel seen, supported, and celebrated, because when we rise together, cultivating the possibilities around us, nothing can stop us.”

The evening began with greetings from Trustee Michelle Arsenault and Director Camille Williams-Taylor of the DDSB. Andrea Walters, Principal and Chair of DBEN, shared heartfelt words reflecting on the organization’s growth, “This year marks an extraordinary milestone, 20 years of DBEN. For two decades, we have proudly championed Black excellence, strengthened community partnerships, and created spaces where Black students, families, and educators feel seen, heard, and empowered.”

A powerful message from the DBEN Awards Committee highlighted the evening’s deeper meaning, “We gather not just to hand out awards, but to bear witness, to the light, the promise, and the unstoppable spirit of our young people. Each recipient carries a story of hope, of persistence, of rising even when the path wasn’t easy. It’s about showing up, even when no one is watching.”

That message closed with a reminder of how excellence shows up every day, “It shows up in ways big and small; in quiet resilience, bold leadership, creative brilliance, and in the choice to keep going. These young people are walking proof that when we invest in our youth, they don’t just succeed, they soar.”

The keynote speaker, Dr. Leland Harper, delivered an electrifying address that blended: philosophy, race, and justice with practical inspiration. A professor and author of Multiverse Deism and Racist, Not Racist, Antiracist, Dr. Harper energized the audience with a message rooted in knowledge, pride, and forward momentum.

The award, and award winners were:

TAIBU Community Health Centre Resilience Award

• Anaiah Allen-Brown- student at Donald A. Wilson Secondary School
• Ruth Mutsago –graduate from J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate

Mark Joel Trailblazer Award

• Brianne Olu-Cole-graduate from Donald A. Wilson Secondary School with plans to pursue a degree in Communications & Media Studies

The Olive Branch of Hope Cancer Support Services Award

• Divine Finuma –graduate from Henry Street High School with plans to become a doctor

Evelyn and Elisha Steele Scholarship Award

• Allana-Ruth Weekes-graduate from Dunbarton High School with plans to be a surgeon
• Mya Wiafeh-graduate from Donald A. Wilson Secondary School, plans to become a doctor

Lisa McGregor Academic and Sports Leadership Award

• Kymani Allen-graduate from Ajax High School who excelled in academics & athletics

The Durham Region Police Service Award

• Atia Sappleton-graduate from Brooklin High School with interest in a career in law

The Powell Planning and Associates Award: Planning for Evolution

• Cherine Anderson-graduate from Dunbarton High School with plans to study Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo.

Leland Harper Young Writer Award

• Mya Foster-graduate from Pickering High School with plans to study Cinema and Media Arts-Production at York University

Power in Me Award

• Abdul-Raheem Mohamed-graduate from G.L. Collegiate and Vocational Institute

Queens Rising Award – Elementary – Grade 7 or 8

• Gabrielle Weathers – student at Sir. Samuel Steele Public School
• Jaydeen Robinson – student at Walter Harris Public School

The Arts on Fire Passion Award

• Taleyah Taylor –student at J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate

The Syfox Stepping Up Award

• O’Neil Grose – student at Sinclair Secondary School
• Noah Payne – student at Pineridge Secondary School

Community Leadership Award

• Eva Kariuki-student at Julie Payettte Public School
• Jeremiah Herbert-student at Bolton C. Falby Public School
• Jordan Gomez-student at John Dryden Public School
• Kayah Toney-grade 8 French immersion student at Cadarackque Public School
• Renee Spencer Hinds-student leader at Westney Heights Public School
• Alexis McKenzie-student leader at Pickering High School
• Maya Huntley-Grade 12 French Immersion student at Ajax High School
• Sabrah Banton-student leader at Pickering High School
• Taddacea Roberts- Grade 11 honours student at Ajax High School
• Tamaira Yearwood – student ambassador and leader at R.S. Mclaughin Collegiate and Vocational Institute

Dwayne Morgan-Literary & Performing Arts Award

• Carter Bryce – graduate from Ajax High School with plans to become a writer

Kiburi Pride Award

• Anonymous – graduated with 99% average and member of LGBTQ+ community

The ETFO Student Success Award

• Anisha Baptiste – graduate from Pickering High School plans to become a teacher

Crowd – Funded Leadership & Resilience Award

• Michael Ogunmola-student at R.S. McLaughlin Collegiate and Vocational Institute

White Owl – Miller Waste Systems Academic Award

• Ashaun Green – graduate from Durham Alternative Secondary School

The Ontario Principals & Council Trade Award

• Dante Kirk – graduated from Durham Alternative Secondary School

Ifarada Centre of Excellence Award

• Maya Grant-Byron – graduate from Donald A. Wilson Secondary School

Education Perfect Leadership and Academic Award

• Ali Futa – graduate from Port Perry Secondary School, plans to study engineering

Queens Rising Award-Secondary – Grade 12

• Ava Banfield-graduate from J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate, strong interest in STEM

The DBEN Volunteer of the Year Award

• Bundom Chijindu – student leader at Pineridge Secondary School

Educators Award

• Eleanor McIntosh- a founding member of the Ontario Alliance of Black School
• Educators (ONABSE) and DBEN are board members of The Black Opportunity Fund Inc

Special Recognition Award

• Margaret Lazarus – a founding member of ONASBSE and first chair of the DBEN and presently a Superintendent with the Durham District School Board