On March 3, 2026, the Toronto District School Board Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement hosted the Inaugural Building Black Futures in Architecture Scholarship Recipient Reception at Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects. The event was to recognize three remarkable scholars and celebrate an important milestone in advancing Black excellence in architecture.
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The Building Black Futures in Architecture Scholarship & Mentorship Program recognizes exceptional students who demonstrate both academic excellence and a genuine passion for architecture and design.
Award Recipients:
- Michelle Gordon (2024 TDSB Graduate, Newtonbrook Secondary School): Architectural Science, Toronto Metropolitan University. * $48,000.00 (or $12,000 per year, up to four years).
- Ameena Kane (2025 TDSB Graduate, Richview Collegiate Institute): Architecture Studies, University of Toronto. *$48,000.00 (or $12,000 per year, up to four years).
- Xavier McKinnon (2025 TDSB Graduate, Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute): Architecture Engineering, University of Waterloo *one-time $5000 award.
Michelle Gordon, an award recipient and also a Black Student Summer Leadership Program alumna said, “This award is very important for me because the cost of the [architecture] program is very expensive and the scholarship will provide a lot of financial relief.”
In addition, Ameena Kane, a graduate from Richview Collegiate Institute and the second recipient said, “It is really important that this program was made to have Black students excel in a STEM program. A lot of STEM fields are male dominated. As a woman in the program I am very grateful. It has always been a big dream of mine to study architecture and I am just really appreciative of this opportunity.”
This opportunity was made possible because of the ABC Residents Association alongside numerous donors. John Caliendo, Co-President and Director of the ABC Residents Association who was integral to the partnership with the school board and the donors, and has been involved in almost 50 development projects, recognized the underrepresentation of Black people in architecture and said, “The city we build should also have input and representation from the people who live in it. There are all kinds of insights that another group can bring to the table.” In the future, he hopes to be able to increase the number of scholarships given to Black youth to pursue careers in architecture.
The Building Black Futures in Architecture Scholarship and Mentorship Program is open annually to Grade 12 students in TDSB secondary schools. Full application details will be available in late spring.