Black students shone brightly at youth conference

by Tanitia Munroe

Research Coordinator – TDSB

Angelika Bell

Student Trustee TDSB

“For Black students to feel safe and welcomed to advocate for themselves, educators and the school board need to reflect on what is being said and asked as well as listen.” Perri- Lee Doubusz-Bailey, Malvern Collegiate Institute.

Last Saturday, Black students from the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) gathered at York University for the 2nd Annual Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) Conference. Creating Possibilities for Black Students in K-12 Education and Leadership.

The conference was held by the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement, in collaboration with The Jean Augustine Chair at York University and TDSB Research and Development Department.

Following the tenets of YPAR that centers the wisdom and experience of students, the conference was curated and led by student leaders while attendees engaged in learning from 23 student researchers.

At the Centre of Excellence’s Black Student Summer Leadership Program (BSSLP), Black youth acquire new competencies through research in public speaking, teamwork, leadership, writing, community engagement and critical thinking. The focus inspires these young people to become more actively engaged in the governance of their schools and communities.

Paying particular attention to the generative possibilities in education, their research and recommendations focused on mental health and well-being, the newcomer experience, persistence in STEM and special education.

TDSB’s Student Trustee Angelika Bell, who was tasked to be the Ambassador for the Day, shares that she witnessed “incredible change.”

“Student leaders highlighted issues like the impact of sports culture on mental health and the need to preserve Black and African culture in TDSB’s resources. Emphasis was on decolonized teaching methods to connect students with their backgrounds, advocacy for financial literacy, supporting newcomers in language curriculum, combating brain drain, and fostering mentorship,” Bell explains.

“The diversity of creativity was astounding – from spoken word performances to powerful presentations, podcasts, and insightful video essays. Beyond the presentations, there was warmth and laughter, fostering deep conversations and intellectual engagement.”

Overall, the goals of YPAR include demonstrable transformation in the thinking and material conditions of the participants. Paulo Friere, philosopher and educator   asks an important question that embodies the root of YPAR and that is, “why not establish an intimate connection between knowledge considered basic to any school curriculum and knowledge that is the fruit of the lived experience of these students as individuals?” 

Much can be learned from this statement. Adults that attended the conference took the time to better understand the lived experiences of Black students.  The conference closed with a call for educators and schools to provide opportunities to amplify and centre Black students’ voices and see the possibilities in them to transform their education experience.

Photo by: Matthew Blyden student photographer