The Peel District School Board sets the stage for ongoing recognition and celebration of Black History in Canada

BY PAUL JUNOR

Peel District School Board (PDSB) is excited about celebrating Black History Month 2024 by highlighting significant achievements and positive contributions of Black Canadians. Since the official recognition of February as Black History Month in December 1995 by the Canadian House of Commons, it has focused on events, programs and initiatives involving Black Canadians. For Black History Month 2024, they will be celebrating it through the theme of “Afrofuturism: Examine the Past, Question the Present, Imagine the Future.”

In a press release that was issued on Friday, February 10^th, 2024, they quoted Smithsonian Magazine, “Afrofuturism expresses notions of Black identity, agency and freedom through: art, creative works and activism that envision liberated futures of Black life. It allows students and staff the opportunity to explore the: past, present and future significance of Black culture and its contributions to our everyday lives.” There will be ongoing recognition and celebration of the rich: heritage, history, culture and contributions of Black Canadians as well as Black communities from around the world.

The press release mentioned the, “We Rise Together 2:00 Black Student Success Strategy,” which has been making a big difference in the lives of Black students. In addition, they look forward to the implementation of Black history into the history curriculum for Grades: seven, eight and nine starting September 2025 as mandated by the Ministry of Education.

The press release highlights the role of the Network of Black Studies Educators (NBSE). Since it was launched in September 2021, it has provided consistent support for educators in order to address the erasure of Black and African epistemology in all curriculum areas, such that teachers will be empowered with the: knowledge, resources and support they need to enact curriculum transformation in their: classrooms, departments and school.

One of the accomplished goals of the network is ensuring that there is a minimum of one Black studies course in each secondary school in Peel. They envision pilot NBSE lessons that are curriculum-aligned and integrate Black, African and Indigenous content into the K-8 curriculum starting September 2024, in certain elementary schools.

The press release describes a ground-breaking first-ever joint collaboration between the PDSB and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) concerning the planned introduction of an African Canadian Diasporic History AP Seminar course. The press release notes these key facts: over 120 Black Student Associations, approximately 70 board-wide Black Parent Advisories in schools, and the creation of a Central Black Parent Advisory for parents and guardians of Black children.

Raquel Walker, Coordinating Principal, African, Black and Afro-Caribbean Student Success states, “The We Rise Together 2.0 Black Student Success Strategy provides a roadmap for educators and administrators to ensure Black students are thriving in PDSB schools. As outlined in the strategy, each school must engage in learning about Black history.”

Lisa Hart, Superintendent, Equity, Indigenous Education, School Engagement and Community Relations states, “We are deeply committed to ensuring equitable outcomes for: African, Black, and Afro-Caribbean students through meaningful opportunities to engage with authentic and rich content. Our work is grounded in an ethic of care that celebrates Black excellence and brilliance all year long.

Through exploration of Afrofuturism, students not only learn about the rich history of the African diaspora, but they also make meaningful connections to contemporary ideas, while thinking critically about their role in ensuring Black futures. Afrofuturism is not just for Black students; it gives students an opportunity to learn about and from Black experiences of the past, present and future in ways that highlight joy, brilliance, and strength. These are concepts that all students can learn from!”

Camille Logan, Superintendent of School Improvement and Equity states, “We recognize the many strides made by implementation of the board’s “We Rise Together 2.0 Black Success Strategy”, the Black Student Success Strategy team and the ongoing work of the of the Network of Black Studies Educators and all staff in the board contributing to the ongoing transformation in Peel.

These highlights of dedicated resources, intentional integration of curriculum content and focus are an important part of PDSB’s commitment to ensuring that Black students are provided with optimal conditions in our schools and classrooms that are beyond the month of February and must persist in our classroom each day.”