Empowering the future: Embracing African culture in Canadian education for Black Girls

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“My journey may have started with a dream, but it’s sustained by resilience. I’m not just building a business; I’m building a legacy.” Efia Tekyi-Annan

The educational void of African Caribbean culture in the Canadian curriculum is one of the reasons that poet, playwright, author, and activist Useni Eugene Perkins wrote the often-recited poem “Hey Black Child.” Originally the song was written to conclude his play for children titled Black Fairy (1974), Perkins wrote it out of concern for the lack of opportunity for African Caribbean children to learn that they come from greatness.  In a research study titled “Hey, Black Child. Do You Know Who You Are?” Using African Diaspora Literacy to Humanize Blackness in Early Childhood Education (Kamania Wynter-Hoyte and Mukkaramah Smith), it calls for educators to do just that—to teach so that African Caribbean children know who they are, which means teaching rich African and Africa diaspora histories as foundational, not tangential to curriculum, and, in the process, helping all other children to know that their African Caribbean peers come from greatness.

Jarvis R Givens wrote, “Carter G Woodson and the art of Black Teaching,” to highlight the fact that our language, when it comes to Black education, is impoverished. Education has been a site of deep hurt and suffering on the one hand, and yet a sacred site of black spiritual strivings on the other.

It’s crucial for African Caribbean girls to see themselves reflected in the curriculum. Understanding and celebrating their roots fosters a strong sense of cultural identity, helping them navigate the world with confidence and pride. Teaching African history beyond stereotypes (beyond Black History Month) provides a more accurate portrayal of the continent’s contributions to the world. It helps African Caribbean girls appreciate their heritage and understand their place in the broader historical context. By incorporating African cultural elements, Canadian School Boards can create a safe space for African Caribbean girls to: share their experiences, fostering social and emotional development. I want to introduce today, a young woman who has curated an inclusive approach that nurtures a supportive learning environment where everyone feels valued.

Welcome to African Royalty, a leading advocate for celebrating African culture and heritage. Founder Efia Tekyi-Annan, a visionary entrepreneur, was never one to let adversity define her. From a young age, she faced challenges head-on, turning them into steppingstones to success. Success for her isn’t just about making money; it’s about uplifting others, especially those who face similar struggles. Her goal; to be a source of inspiration for the next generation.

Founded in 2014, African Royalty is a Vaughan, Ontario-based organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting African culture and heritage. Through workshops, events, and educational initiatives, African Royalty aims to inspire, educate, and empower individuals to embrace their cultural identity and appreciate the diversity of African traditions.

I was thrilled when she announced she would be launching Waist Bead Workshops in local schools across York Region. Commencing with Maple High School (where founder Efia Tekyi-Annan graduated in 2010) these workshops mark the beginning of an interactive educational initiative aimed at engaging students in cultural exploration and diversity appreciation.

As an African female entrepreneur, Efia is deeply committed to sharing the beauty and significance of African culture, particularly through the art of waist beads. These workshops, designed to align with the Ontario curriculum, offer an immersive learning experience touching on various subjects, including Health and Physical Education, Social Studies, Visual Arts, and Equity and Inclusive Education.

The workshops will explore topics such as: body image, self-expression, African history, traditions, and cultural practices, curated to foster a sense of belonging and appreciation for diverse cultures within the school community. Participants will have the opportunity to create beadwork inspired by African designs and patterns, promoting creativity and cultural exchange.

“In celebrating 10 years of African Royalty, I am thrilled to launch these Waist Bead Workshops as a way to give back to the community and engage the youth in cultural education,” says Efia Tekyi-Annan, founder of African Royalty. “As a mother of three, I understand the importance of providing students with opportunities to learn about diverse cultures and perspectives, especially during Black History Month.”

She made sure that these workshops not only highlight the richness of African culture, but also shine a light on African Caribbean female entrepreneurs and their contributions to the community. As African Royalty plans for expansion, Efia remains dedicated to sharing the beauty Africa has to offer and broadening the horizons of young minds. While the workshops have launched during Black History Month Efia intends to continue to facilitate these sessions beyond the 29 days of February.

I had to laugh but was impressed when Efia told me how this opportunity came about. “I was asked if I had ever done a workshop before, and I responded, ‘Of course I do workshops.’ I had never done a waist bead workshop, but there was no way I was going to pass up on this opportunity.

Someone brought this idea to me, and now that I had said yes; had to put my money where my mouth was. The struggle being a mom, an entrepreneur; other people see the greatness in me, but sometimes I do not see the magnitude others see in me. There are so many things that I want to explore with African Royalty, and other people see it, and nurture it.

Sharing my culture is the most important thing to me; as I learn I share, as I share, I learn. I should know more about my culture, but I was born and raised here. I was eighteen when I immersed myself completely into what it meant to be Ghanaian. When I went back to Ghana, everything about it felt right.”

Efia wants to be at the helm of integrating African culture into the Canadian school curriculum. She sees it as a way to empower African Caribbean girls to not only embrace their heritage, but also to confidently shape their own narratives. Waist beads have cultural and historical significance in various African and Afro-Caribbean cultures, where they are often worn as a form of adornment, a symbol of femininity, and sometimes as a means of communication or cultural identity. She shares with me that they are so much more than that. In traditional African cultures they are utilized for: rites of passage rituals, weight regulation (trust me it works), and are symbolic of a mother passing down her journey. “You give it to babies when they are young. As they go through the stages of puberty you change your beads,” Efia educates me.

Efia’s fearlessness in her work isn’t just about conquering the business world; it’s about breaking down barriers for others who aspire to follow in her footsteps. She knows that applied knowledge is power, and the way to instill power is to teach our young people about their culture and heritage.

For more information about African Royalty and its educational initiatives, please visit www.Africanroyalty.ca,  or contact 416-616-5797.