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Black Student Summer Leadership Program

The Black Student Summer Leadership Program (BSSLP) is an innovative, paid summer internship that empowers Black high school students in Grades 10 to 12 to become researchers, leaders, and changemakers. Rooted in Afrocentric and community-based approaches, the program combines Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), mentorship, and experiential learning to explore issues that matter most to Black youth.

Over seven weeks, students gain hands-on experience through creative research pods, professional placements, and workshops that build critical thinking, public speaking, and advocacy skills. The program culminates in a public Summer Research Symposium where students present their findings to educators, community leaders, and families.

Offered by the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement at the Toronto District School Board in collaboration with community and postsecondary partners, BSSLP nurtures Black excellence, academic confidence, and future-ready leadership.

This program accepts applications from December to January of each year. Applications for 2025 are now closed. Interested applicants should check back in the fall.  

Background

The Black Student Summer Leadership Program (BSSLP) was first created in 2019 in partnership with the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora at York University’s Faculty of Education. It was developed to enhance Black students’ agency, activism, and leadership skills as well as their engagement with active citizenship. 

Through partnership with TDSB’s Research and Development Department, Continuing Education’s Focus on Youth Initiative and recently, the Co-operative Education Department, the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement facilitates this summer learning opportunity for Black students in Grades 10 to 12 at Toronto District School Board.

Guided by the Graduation Coaches for Black Students, there are two focus areas tied to the engagement of Black students in the summer program. These include: (1) Experiential Learning (work placement) and (2) Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR).

Each year, the program aims to:

  • Create experiences that foster learning, embraces community, encourages discovery, and inspires excellence for every Black student.
  • Combine the concepts of research and real-world experiential learning, while focusing on improving their citizenship, agency, mentorship, and activism.

The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement will continue to engage Black students through programs such as BSSLP to create ongoing opportunities. We are committed to honouring and affirming Black students’ aspirations, intersectional identities and strengths, as well as responding to the needs identified by students and their families.

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