Dr. Keren Braithwaite remembered for educational activism and community service

BY PAUL JUNOR

The death of Keren Braithwaite on Thursday, June 22^nd, 2023, will be greatly felt by many who knew her personally as well as her family and loved ones. She was born in Antigua and came to Canada to attend graduate school on a Commonwealth Scholarship in 1967. She saw first-hand the racism Black students experienced in the educational system and the lack of opportunities they faced.

These experiences prompted Keren to develop the Transitional Year Programme (TYP) at the University of Toronto with the help of fellow graduate students. As co-founder, instructor and associate director, she worked there until her retirement in 2003. The TYP’s purpose was to provide university access to Black and First Nation students, single mothers and students from poor neighbourhoods. Keren’s efforts redoubled after she became a parent and she worked vehemently with other committed community stakeholders to ensure that changes were initiated at the Toronto Board of Education.

This culminated in the formation of the Ontario Parents of Black Children (OPBC) with other parents supported on November 25^th,1980. Keren was one of the founding members of the Antigua and Barbuda Association of Toronto (ABAT) and was inducted in 2006 as an Officer of the Most Distinguished Order of Merit (Antigua and Barbuda).

On Thursday June 26^th, 2023, Wendy Braithwaite, daughter of Keren posted a message on Facebook regarding her mom’s death. It read, “We are sad to share that our beloved mother, Keren Braithwaite, has passed away. We are thankful for our beautiful mother who has meant so much to our family, to her loved ones, and to her community. We will miss her greatly, but are proud of her life and legacy. We are comforted to know that she is now with the creator, and is amongst the ancestors.”

Professor Lance McCready, current director of the TYP stated, “We, the current faculty, staff and students of the TYP wouldn’t be here if not for the love, tenacity and courageous activism of Keren Braithwaite.” With respect to her leadership of the TYP, he notes, “Keren Braithwaite helped establish TYP over 50 years ago and was awarded a Ludwik & Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize for this work. She made positive and lasting contributions to higher education access in Canada, work that supports human rights and promotes: equity, diversity, and inclusion.”

In 1996, Keren edited the book, “Educating African Canadians,” along with Carl E. James. Professor McCready highlighted the edited volume “Access and Equity in the University: A Collection of Papers from the 30th Anniversary Conference of the Transitional Year Programme,” University of Toronto, published by Canadian Scholars Press. He concluded, “I hope that Keren Braithwaite is in a peaceful place, feeling all of the love, respect and inspiration she gave us. I’m so glad I was able to meet and speak with her a couple of times over the years when I served as Director. I am sending peace, love, light and healing vibes to Keren, family, friends, and colleagues.”

Keren’s funeral was held on Saturday, July 8^th, 2023, at Revivaltime Tabernacle in Toronto. It was officiated by Rev. Patrick Reid who was a personal friend for many years. There was a great turnout of community members. Black elders, teachers, former colleagues, family members, scholars and friends. Special tributes were read by John Mills on behalf of ABAT and Francis Atta on behalf of the TYP. Reflections were read by long-time friends: Constance Cudjoe, Muriel Clarke and godchild, Ewurama Sackey. The obituary was read by Keren’s son, Edward and the eulogy was delivered by Keren’s daughter, Wendy.