Peel District School Board reneges on promise to name centre after Kola Kluyomade

BY PAUL JUNOR

There was optimism expressed by the Black community when the PDSB promised to name its newly created Centre for Black Excellence after Kola Iluyomade. Many saw this as a fitting tribute and recognition of his many years of: tireless service, emotional investment, intellectual commitment and physical toll in his social activism and racial and educational advocacy work.

PDSB’s Trustees voted in favour of a policy that excludes the naming of schools after individuals. No provisions or considerations were made to account for all of the work and extensive consultations that had been undertaken in deciding the name “Kola Iluyomade Centre for Black Excellence,” according to communication from Peel Black Collective.

Black Community in Peel Express Bitterness on Peel District School Board Failure to Name Centre after Activist Kola Iluyomade. It is almost two years now since the untimely passing of social justice warrior, educational activist and change agent Kola Iluyomade. His death on June 24^th, 2021, left a great void in the Black community in Peel. As founder of Advocacy Peel, he was known for his unwavering commitment to: fairness, equity,  justice and love.

Peel Black Collective described him as a staunch fighter for Black students and their rights, and a fierce advocate in the fight against anti-Black racism in education. He gave everything for Black families and students until he was ultimately consumed by the fight.

Kola is best remembered for his advocacy work championing the: rights, dignity and lived experiences of Black students in the Peel District School Board. As a long time resident of Brampton, he gave frequent: deputations, presentations, support and affirmation to issues that were dear and close to his heart. He witnessed and was present at many of the changes that PDSB went through: from the firing of former Director Peter Joshua, appointment of the supervisor, Bruce Rodrigues, presentation of the Ministry directives, review of its implementation and the recommendations that ensued from it.

This was an unfortunate occurrence and many in the Black Community see it as a betrayal. “The naming of the Centre of Black Excellence after him is the most appropriate tribute that the PDSB can pay to his legacy, what he stood for and his impact. To remove his name in this way is an affront to Black communities, anti-racism advocates and to those who benefited from his work in dismantling anti-Black racism in the PDSB.”

In order to force the Trustees of the PDSB to change their minds, Peel Black Collective started a petition directed to David Green (Chair of the PDSB). As of Monday June 12^th, 2023, there were 718 signatures with a goal of 1,000. The petition requests that the PDSB of Trustees approve the Kola Iluyomade Centre of Black Excellence as the official name of the centre.

In a further communication to its subscribers on Wednesday June 14^th, 2023, Peel Black Collective expressed disappointment after the new policy came into effect on May 26^th, 2023. This policy change ensured that the original proposed name change for the centre would not occur.

Peel Black Collective notes, “The result of the policy and the Trustee’s interpretation is that existing disparities are locked in for all diverse identity groups. Of the 250 plus PDSB schools and buildings, very few are currently named after people with diverse: gender, sexuality, ability, ethnic, racial, or religious backgrounds.”