The inaugural student-led One Love Midtown Conference took place on March 6, 2024 at the Nia Centre for the Arts. The phrase It’s a Melanated Thing! was selected as the 2024 Conference theme. Black students from mostly midtown schools (Learning Network 5 and 6) engaged in a full day of guest speakers and student-led workshops. Attending the conference were approximately 120 students from Lawrence Park CI, Forest Hill CI, John Polanyi CI, York Mills CI, Leaside HS, York Memorial CI, Northern SS, Marc Garneau CI and North Toronto CI.
One of the conference organizers from the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement, Shalone Hendrickson said, “The purpose of this event was to unify students in the LN5 and LN6 schools, that felt like they were dealing with their own set of microaggressions, and to give them a space to celebrate stories of Black Joy and resilience.”
The keynote speaker for the conference was award-winning artist, activist and educator Keosha Love. Keosha is a TDSB alumni, a poet and writer. She is notable for centering self-actualization, womanism and joy as rebellion in her work. Keosha shared her experiences growing up in Toronto and her story of acceptance and self-love. She also shared with the audience her poem, “Summer’s Got Darker”.
Lawrence Park student Mariam said, “Keosha’s poem was the highlight of the day for me. The way she described how she felt when she was our age, it really resonated with me. Especially since I am in Grade 11 and choosing my career path.”
After the inspiring keynote, students engaged in a series of workshops. The selection of workshops included Afro Dance Fusion, Black beauty: Truth or Trained, Mindfulness Through the Arts, History and Influences of Black Music, Microaggressions, The Taste of Two Worlds: From Jerk to Jollof and more.
“I attended the Taste of Two Worlds: From Jerk to Jollof. I learned all these cultures have the same food and it is made or curated in different ways.” said Yasmeen W., a student host for the event from Lawrence Park CI.
Solomon J., Lawrence Park CI student, describes what the One Love Midtown Conference means to him, “The conference is significant because it brings together all these different people who want a sense of healing, a sense of community… Helped me learn more and be more proud to be Black.”
Mr. Tosh Jeffrey, a teacher from Marc Garneau CI, supporting students at the event said, “I think it is important for Black people to be around other Black people. It creates a safe space where people thrive. It is important for young people to see Black role models working together and that breeds excellence.”
The students and staff had an impactful learning experience and hope to have more One Love Midtown Conferences in the future.