Celebrating Black Student Leadership

 

Transformative programs at the Center of Excellence for Black Student Achievement

The Center of Excellence for Black Student Achievement supports Black students across the TDSB through leadership development, culturally responsive learning, and early years programs. By fostering belonging, confidence, and a strong sense of identity, these initiatives prepare students for success in school, postsecondary pathways, and beyond.

 

The Black Student Summer Leadership Program

The Black Student Summer Leadership Program (BSSLP) continues to deliver transformative outcomes in alignment with the Toronto District School Board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP). Since its launch in 2019, more than 552 Black students have participated, building confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of belonging.

In 2025, the program reached a milestone, with a record 582 applications from 75 schools. Of these, more than 250 students advanced to interviews, and 138 were selected to participate. Among them, 66 were graduating students who are now pursuing a range of postsecondary pathways. This year’s record-breaking interest underscores both the program’s success and the growing demand for equitable opportunities and open doors to education and career pathways.

 

 

For the second year, BSSLP was hosted at a postsecondary institution, with George Brown College serving as the lead site. Guided by a multidisciplinary team of educators, Grades 10-12 student leaders engaged in paid 35-hour experiential learning placements and Afrocentric Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR).

Sharing their work at the Summer Symposium and fall Youth Participatory Action Research Conference, students reported stronger leadership skills. Additionally, program insights are shaping national dialogue, positioning students as leaders of change while advancing achievement, well-being, and equitable outcomes.

 

Combatting Hate & Racism Lead Teacher Initiative

During the 2024-2025 school year we initiated the Combatting Hate and Racism (CHR) Lead Teacher initiative. CHR Lead Teachers is a voluntary program situated within the Student Leadership component of the Combatting Hate and Racism Student Learning Strategy. Each TDSB school was asked to nominate a CHR Lead Teacher as the school’s representative and liaison. Lead Teachers brought awareness, curriculum connections, and professional learning opportunities to their staff and students.

The collective work began in the Fall of 2024 where 300 CHR Lead Teachers gathered within FOS groupings to share their plans and journeys for the school year. A total of 500 CHR lead teachers, administrators, and senior team members gathered again in February and March 2025 for a professional learning opportunity to deepen their understanding of the different ways we can affirm student identities.

 

Inspired to Excel

In collaboration with the Early Years Department and Model Schools for Inner Cities Schools (MSIC), the Toronto District School Board launched its 11th year of the Inspired to Excel Pre-Kindergarten to Kindergarten Africentric and Culturally Relevant and Responsive Summer Learning Programs. In celebration of the 10th year anniversary, a family engagement session was held featuring a keynote by early years scholar Dr. Kerry-Ann Escayg, artistic performances by Coco Collective and interactive Africentric learning experiences.

This year, Inspired to Excel was offered at nine locations across the TDSB with 126 participating students. TDSB’s youngest learners engaged in rich, culturally relevant learning experiences anchored in enhancing their sense of belonging and building positive identity development.

As part of the program, families and learners collaborated with community educators who offered experiences in African drumming, spoken word, visual arts and Reggaecise. A unique component of this experience is a backpack filled with rich and intentional resources to support literacy and numeracy development through play and inquiry, aligned with the kindergarten cirriculum.

Year after year, families continue to feel the lasting invaluable impacts of the Inspired to Excel summer learning program. Learners’ school readiness was evident in both their relationship development, positive sense of self, and emergent literacy and numeracy skills.

By authentically nurturing strong partnerships within school communities, Inspired to Excel continues to support caregivers in forging strong connections with their child(ren)’s school, navigating the education system, and supporting their child(ren)’s transition into school.