Community News

Our Legacy

Published

8 years ago

February 9, 2017

BY ALYSSA MAHADEO

Everyone must leave something behind when they depart from this world. The greatest legacy that we can pass on to the next generation is not money or other material things that we have accumulated throughout our lives, but rather a legacy of knowledge, understanding and solutions to the challenges that we have faced during our time in existence.

Every February Black History Month is observed throughout North America. Also, known as African-American History Month, it is a remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. Black History Month festivities and celebrations are celebrated throughout the month and many community organizations have chosen to carry on the message of their ancestors throughout the entire year.

For the past twenty-three years, local Toronto artist Robert Small has presented his own legacy in the form of his Black History Month Legacy Poster. Using his god given talent of artistry and mastery of the paintbrush Robert has produced paintings every year featuring African-Canadians who have excelled in science, technology, engineering, the arts and math.

“This year’s poster focuses on five individuals that have excelled in Science, Technology, Arts and Math,” shares Small. “The reason why I chose to focus on those things is because those are careers that will be of high demand in the future especially given the fact of where technology is headed there is a need for youth to be positioned in a way where they can take advantage of opportunities that come in the future.”

Robert Small’s artistic career began at the age of sixteen, and went from having his artwork published in a city-wide newspaper to it being displayed in twenty TTC subway locations across the GTA. Searching for a way to garner interest in Black History Month, Small demonstrated incredible initiative by creating a poster called The Official Black History Month Poster in 1995. He has played a central part in elevating awareness of Black History Month through his art ever since. Robert is a self-taught artist. He graduated from the University of Windsor with a degree in Sociology and a certificate in Criminology. He is also a certified teacher graduating from Teacher’s College at York University. He presently sits on the board of the Ontario National Association of Black School Educators (ONABSE) and is an active member of the Caribana Arts Group.

Small is the founder of LEGACY Enterprises, a cutting edge, innovative company that uses art as a powerful technique to educate society about the accomplishments of people throughout history who have left us incredible breakthroughs to conquer the world today. LEGACY Enterprises has committed to be a powerful advocate for making school spaces conducive to culturally relevant teachings and transforming community areas into being reflective of our society. We also partner with community business and organizations to build intellectual and culturally empowering capacity in community members to propel society forward.

LEGACY 2017, is the most important piece ever released in the twenty-three-year history of this poster, as it focuses on five African-Canadians who have made great strides in the development and advancement of Science, Technology and The Arts and are role models to the next generation of aspiring Scientists, Artists and Educators.

LEGACY 2017 is a vibrant and bold monumental tribute featuring scientist and politician Howard McCurdy, technological pioneer Leesa Renee Hall, civil engineer and entrepreneur Nasra Agil, Canadian songstress Jully Black and educator Kenneth Fells. Much like the film released earlier this year, these Hidden Figures of society have left a significant mark in their respective fields contributing to the development of many new ideas that are being implemented in the world today.

Through his delicate brushstrokes and steady hand, Small has created an organic representation of African-Canadian accomplishments in his 2017 Legacy Poster. “Art requires you to be creative and in turn allows you to invent different things or think of different ways thing can be applied in the other subjects,” says Small describing the importance of including the arts as one of the subjects that students should continue to focus and choose to pursue. “It is just as important and helpful as any of the other subjects, because it allows for a different technique, a more hands on approach of knowledge intake.”

Howard Douglas McCurdy, mostly recognized by his political career as a Member of Parliament also holds a degree in Microbiology as well as a Master Degree and PhD in Microbiology and Physical Chemistry later joining the Biology Department of Biology at Windsor University.

Author, futurist and technology pioneer Leesa Renee Hall is known for her ability to spot trends, ignore fads and galvanize people around an innovative idea to ignite growth and inspire change. She is the author of seven publications and is admired for her ability to jump start movements such as an association for Blacks working in Technology.

Somali-Canadian Nasra Agil studied civil engineering at Ryerson University where she graduated top of her class and received an Honours Bachelor of Engineering Degree. In 2012 she returned to Somalia to contribute to the local post-conflict reconstruction process. In addition to being a partner at one of the country’s leading Architectural firms, she also serves as an Infrastructure Adviser to the Federal Government of Somalia.

Bold, fierce and powerful Canadian Icon Jully Black is a powerful woman whose presence cannot be ignored. Dubbed Canada’s Queen of R&B Soul, she is a platinum selling recording artist and her music career has yielded multiple chart topping singles in Pop, R&B and Dance Music. Jully’s love of people and passion for philanthropy has taken her across the world championing important causes using her career as a platform to inspire other and celebrate the greatness within us all.

Last, but not least Kenneth M. Fells is a Principal and Africentric Philosophical activist who is dedicated to improving both the educational experiences and accomplishments of African-Canadians.

“When I think about who I would like to feature on the poster, I really wanted to find people who are different with respect to age, mentality, gender as well as their ability,” says Small. “Art is integral to the development of engineering and technology because, eventually half of the ideas for the future will need to be drawn out or designed by somebody and so the artistic ability will need to be utilized to put those ideas down on paper.” Small explains.

In addition to the LEGACY Poster, for BHM Small has released another STEAM booklet created to allow the uses of art and creativity that naturally flows through it to make youth more interested in the sciences, technology, engineering and math. The booklet is twenty pages filled with exciting questions, games, puzzles and historical material related to African accomplishments from around the world. Each section contains suggestions for teachers and parents to engage students further about STEAM. This book is aimed at youth who are at a Grade 4/5 level.

“This year’s booklet focuses on Canadian events, and a portion focusing on Viola Desmond where I tell her story and then I ask the students to create a dollar bill, and design a bill based upon the story of Viola Desmond,” Small shares. “There is also a special area that focuses on financial literacy and how to invest in the stock market which I included because our parents didn’t know much about the stock market, but the advantages about teaching children about it now open the conversation and allow them to learn about something that will be beneficial to them in the future.

The STEAM booklet is available for download online Afroebooks.com and it can also be ordered at www.thelegacyposter.com.

When we leave this world, all that we leave behind becomes lessons for the next generation and our legacy is to promote growth, educate the community and help future generations to overcome what we could not. With all of the news being shared and reported by the mainstream media, it’s easy to fall victim to the propaganda and negative opinions of others. The Legacy poster is a step in the right direction, a great way to shed light on the accomplishments of the African-Canadians as well as combat the negativity that has been affecting the community through the mainstream media. These people have contributed amazing things to Canadian society a reflection of the potential that the community has to offer.

What will you leave behind? What movement will you start and what would you like to help the world discover next? This is our time, ensure that the legacy you leave behind is a great one.

Up Next

The Toronto Black Film Festival Announces Full 2017 Programming

Don't Miss

Yantics Presenting New Platform for Youth, By Youth

TOCaribNews

Click to comment

Community News

Record entries for JCDC FiWi Short Film Competition

Published

2 days ago

November 5, 2024

TOCaribNews

Winner of the 2023 staging of the JCDC FiWi Short Film Competition ,Joel Miller, (third from left), shares a moment with representatives of the Jamaica Cultural |Development Commission (JCDC), organizers of the event. From left are Shaun Drysdale – Drama and Theatre Arts Development Specialist, Andrew Brodber – Director, Arts Development and Training and Executive Director, Lenford Salmon.

BY RUSHANE FERRON

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has received an unprecedented number of submissions for this year’s FiWi Short Film Competition. Launched earlier this year, the competition drew an impressive 47 entries. Currently, 17 shortlisted films are available for public viewing on the JCDC’s YouTube channel, with winners set to be announced on October 24^th.

Executive Director of the JCDC, Mr. Lenford Salmon, expressed pride in the competition’s growing success, stating, “This record number of entries reflects how Jamaicans are embracing the programmes offered by the JCDC. While the Commission is well known for preserving and showcasing our culture, we also recognize the importance of using technology to engage, particularly with our youth. The FiWi Short Film Competition is a perfect example of how we can bring our culture to life in the digital age. The fact that it’s four years old and already experiencing this level of growth is a promising sign for the future.”

Drama and Theatre Arts Development Specialist at the JCDC, Mr. Shaun Drysdale, attributes this year’s spike in entries to the increasing interest in filmmaking, fueled by the proliferation of social media platforms that support storytelling through visuals.

“We are living in a digital age. Filmmaking is now in the hands of the average person on the street via his, or her cell phone. Add to that the inherent creativity of Jamaicans and you are left with a potent combination, which when given the correct environment, can reap tangible rewards. That is what we are experiencing at this time,” Mr. Drysdale said.

The JCDC FiWi Short Film Competition seeks to promote Jamaican culture through the production of films ranging from 3-5 minutes in duration. The films must be based on set criteria, and primarily centred around a Jamaican proverb.

This year’s proverbs are: “Sweet mout fly follow coffin go a hole”; “Puss nuh hab han, but him tek him foot wipe him face”; “Keep clear a ole house, les dem fall dung pon you”; “Rockstone a riber bottom nuh feel sun hot”; and “Finger tink, yuh cyan cut eh trow ‘wey”.

In addition to the proverbs, participants were also given two special themes around which to build the treatment of their films, based on concepts provided by two sponsors. These are: “SEAS IN FOCUS: Uniting for marine managed areas”- National Conservation Trust Fund of Jamaica (NCTFJ) and “Need a passport quick, Get it with just a click”- Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA).

Mr. Drysdale further noted that this year’s shortlisted films represent a variety of the possible genres with eleven dramatic works, two animation films, one comedy, one documentary and two science fiction films. Three of the participants are from the youth category, which is for filmmakers between 12-18 years old and the remaining 14 from adult category.

In addition to viewing the short films online, the public will have an opportunity to view at a special screening to be held on National Heroes’ Day, Monday, October 21^st, 2024, as a feature of JCDC National Heritage Fest and Family Fun Day being held on the south lawn at Devon House in St Andrew.

The FiWi Short Film Competition was started by the JCDC in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition is the brainchild of the JCDC’s Drama and Theatre Arts Unit and encourages Jamaican amateur filmmakers to examine selected Jamaican proverbs and based on their interpretation create the treatment for a short film.

Community News

York Catholic is leading the province in educational achievement

Published

2 days ago

November 5, 2024

Paul Junor

BY PAUL JUNOR

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), which administers the Grade 3, 6 and 9 assessments across Ontario and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), recently released the 2024 results. For many schools across the province, EQAO results are a snapshot of how students are doing compared to their peers in other schools at the same grade level.

The York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) has maintained a high level of consistency with respect to the outstanding performance of its students on the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). In a media release on Wednesday, October 9^th, 2024, details were revealed about the positive achievements and exemplary accomplishments of its students.

EQAO results were released on September 26^th, 2024. The focus was, “Mathematics Achievement Remains an Area of Focus but Sees Gradual Growth Over Time with Some School Boards Showing Significant Increases; Literacy Achievement Remains High but Shows Some Decline.” The data was based on the 2023-2024 school year during which over 570,000 students wrote the EQAO assessments at the elementary and secondary levels on the English and French-language school systems.

For students who wrote the Grade 3 Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics:

71% met the provincial standard in reading compared to 73% in 2022-2023, and 73% in 2021-2022.
64% of Grade 3 students met the provincial standard in writing, compared to 65% in 2022-2023 and 65% in 2021-2022.
61% of Grade 3 students met the provincial standard in mathematics, compared to 60% in 2022-2023 and 59% in 2021-2022.

For students who wrote the Grade 6 Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics:

82% met the provincial standard in reading, compared to 84% in 2022-2023 and 85% in 2021-2022.
80% met the provincial standard in writing, compared to 84% in 2022-2023, and 84% in 2021-2022.
50% met the provincial standard in mathematics, compared to 50% in 2022-2023 and 47 % in 2021-2022.

For students who wrote the Grade 9 Assessment in Mathematics:

54% met the provincial standard, compared to 54% in 2022-2023 and 52% in 2021-2022.

For students who wrote the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT):

85% of first-time eligible students were successful, compared to 85% in 2022-23 and 82% in 2021-2022.
52% of previously eligible students were successful in 2023-2024, compared to 63% in 2022-2023 and 85% in 2021-2022.

John De Faveri, Interim Director of Education of the YCDSB writes, “We are always looking for ways to provide a better school experience, but today is a time to celebrate our students and staff for their excellent academic achievement. I want to particularly highlight the incredible work that is being done in mathematics, which we see in these results. Mathematical literacy is such an important life skill and we are happy to share a love of numbers with our students.”

Results from the Grade 3, 6 and 9 EQAO Mathematics results show improvement in Mathematics compared to 2023. In addition, with respect to reading and writing results for Grade 6 there has been a consistent steady upward rise in the performance of students as 89% and 90% of students met or exceeded provincial standards when compared to the province’s average of 82% and 89%.

Elizabeth Crowe, Chair of the Board of Trustees for YCDSB states, “EQAO results are just one of the ways we see how York Catholic is leading the province in educational achievement. As a Catholic learning community, we want to see every child succeed and EQAO results help us measure our progress toward that noble goal.”

Overall, the percentage of students who participated from YCDSB in Grade 3 and 6 EQAO were 97% and 98%, respectively. For Grade 9 Math assessment there were 93% of eligible students and 97% in the OSSLT.

Any parents or guardians interested in learning about the 2024 EQAO and OSSLT results and individual school results for their children can check the EQAO’s website: https://www.eqao.com/results/.

Community News

York Catholic District School Board plans open house for future high school students

Published

2 days ago

November 5, 2024

Paul Junor

Credits: Pch.Vector

BY PAUL JUNOR

There is: planning, preparation, and organization that parents, guardians and caregivers must make in York Region as they prepare their children for high school. For those who chose to send them to a high school at the Catholic board, there are open houses planned to make this process easier to navigate.

In a press release on Thursday, October 10^th, 2024, details were revealed about these open houses. It notes, “The open houses will highlight key aspects of each school, including administration, programs, graduation requirements, uniforms, school structure, student opportunities and more. In addition, information about the registration process, including registration dates, deadlines and documents needed to enroll, will be discussed.

The media release mentioned the seven regional programs, and ten Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) programs. They include:

Advanced Placement

Programs with an extended and enriched curriculum allow students to earn credits or advanced standing at most universities.

English as a Second Language

(ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD)

English as a Second Language and English Literacy Development programs assist English language learners from diverse linguistic and education backgrounds in attaining English language proficiency.

French Immersion (FI)

Students who completed the Elementary French Immersion programs, or equivalent can continue with the immersion program to earn a French immersion certificate upon graduation.

High Performer Athlete (HPA)

An academic-based program for student-athletes participating in competitive-level athletics. Students benefit from a flexible timetable to help balance their academic and athletic commitments and earn high school credits for the work they put into their training.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

A rigorous and intellectually challenging pre-university course of study that allows students to earn an IB Diploma upon graduation, recognized in Canada and abroad.

Regional Arts (RAP)/Integrated Regional Arts Program(iRAP)

Students specialize in drama, dance, visual arts, digital media arts, instrumental music, or vocal music- while obtaining their high school diploma. In the iRAP, students experience their learning through an integrated model where the curriculum is explored in relation to the interconnectedness of the individual, the community, and the world.

STREAM Program

Students explore real-world challenges and use the design thinking process to develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills, guided by the traditional Catholic social teachings. This academic program uses an interdisciplinary approach to inquiry and problem-based learning.

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

Students can obtain a diploma with a specialist in either: Arts and Culture; Aviation and Aerospace; Business; Health and Wellness; Hospitality and Tourism; Information and Communication Technology; Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services, Manufacturing; or Non-Profit. Every YCDSB school offers a SHSM program.

Parents or guardians who live in York Region and are interested in any programs can check: Website: www.ycdsb.ca