Parents of Black Children look to expand work after obtaining charitable status

BY PAUL JUNOR

There is no doubt that the advocacy group, Parents of Black Children (PoBC) has made a significant difference in the lives of Black parents and children since it was launched in 2019. The overall goal is to be a voice for all parents of Black children so that no parent stands alone in their fight for a: just, safe and equitable education for their child.

Some of the programs include:

The Student and Family Advocate Program

A Black community-based program designed to support Black families and students as they engage with the education system.

The PoBC Mental Health Fund

Support Black youth and parents of Black children by connecting them with professional therapists and funding their sessions.

School Racism Reporting Tool

An online tool for educators and school boards across Canada to anonymously report incidents of anti-Black racism they experienced, witnessed or seen.

Navigating the Education System

This document serves as a way to empower parents with knowledge about the education system. It is designed for all parents of Black children. It is a navigation tool that you can keep and use with you every step of the way to support your child’s (ren) education.

Education System Navigation Support

System Navigator will provide support as you interact with your child’s school and board.

Navigating the Child Welfare System Support

This booklet will offer support and guidance about how to navigate and interact with the system.

The OMO Virtual Africentric Virtual Campus

It offers free drop-in virtual tutoring where students can get homework and assignment help in real-time.

PoBC Knowledge Exchange Centre

A non-profit organization dedicated to sharing and exchanging knowledge and resources as they work to dismantle anti-Black racism. Their mission is to facilitate training and knowledge sharing that will create transformational change, accountability and a peaceful existence of Black people.

Edge Tutoring Program

Offers free tutoring twice a week to students during the school year and summer.

Earlier this year, PoBC launched a petition to “Demand the OHRC include Black community advocates in their upcoming round table.” Along with other advocacy groups they demanded an explanation and account of why they were excluded from this roundtable, and that they expect an action plan of inclusion for any further plans of addressing and discussing anti-Black racism in education.

PoBC announced on its Facebook page that it had been granted charitable status. This means that they will be able to issue receipts for donations, cash and other gifts and it will be exempted from paying income tax. The announcement stated, “The growth of our grass-roots organization is truly a testament to the strength of our backbone, which is you: our community, our parents, volunteers, and the hardworking PoBC family who are dedicated to serving parents of Black children across Canada.”

Shannon Liverpool, communications specialist for PoBC states, “With this charitable status, PoBC gains access to expanded resources, enabling the organization to reasonably broaden our programs and initiatives. This means a stronger commitment to providing comprehensive educational materials, programs and extracurricular activities tailored to meet the unique needs of Black children.”

PoBC launched a capital campaign on May 16th, 2023.The goal of this campaign is to help Parents of Black Children create a physical community hub to empower Black children and families, fostering a safe and inclusive environment where we can all thrive.