An initiative of the Durham Catholic District School Board and the Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee, the DCDSB Black Student Excellence Awards honour Grade 11 and Grade 12 students who self-identify as Black and have demonstrated leadership and/or commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion efforts.
About the Awards
DCDSB Black Student Excellence Awards are granted once per year. Two (2) students from each DCDSB secondary school may be nominated in each school year. Nominees will be honoured during an awards ceremony and will receive a $100 bursary, a certificate and a letter of recognition.
The Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Committee will select one overall award winner to receive the Distinguished Black Student Excellence Award. The award recipient will receive a $500 bursary, a glass award trophy, and a letter of recognition.
All students will be recognized during an awards ceremony which will be held at 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the Pope Francis Centre (652 Rossland Rd. West, Oshawa, L1J 8M7).
2024-2025 Black Student Excellence Award Recipient and Nominees
On Thursday, November 7, 2024, the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) hosted the inaugural Black Student Excellence Awards. At the awards ceremony, all nominees were honoured, and provided with a certificate, a letter of recognition, and a $100 bursary.
The nominees honoured were:
- Nathan C., All Saints Catholic Secondary School
- Shadae Corina T., All Saints Catholic Secondary School
- Brenda O., Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School
- Rejoice O., Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School
- Temitope O., Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School
- Esosa M., Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School
- Temidayo Esther O., Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School
- Kaylia D., Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
- Ololade A., Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
- Nathyn T., St. Mary Catholic Secondary School
- Tarie D., St. Mary Catholic Secondary School
After much deliberation, the committee was pleased to present Sadé L., a Grade 12 student at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School in Whitby, with the Black Student Excellence Award for the 2024-2025 school year. Sadé was recognized at the awards ceremony and received a certificate, a letter of recognition, a glass trophy, and a $500 bursary.
Click here to learn more about the Black Student Excellence Award recipient and nominees.
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive the Black Student Excellence Award, students must meet the following requirements:
- Self-identify as Black;
- Currently attend a Durham Catholic District School Board secondary school;
- Currently in Grade 11 or Grade 12; and
- Demonstrate leadership or contribution to equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, services or programming.
Nomination Procedures
Nominations for the Black Student Excellence Awards must be submitted via the online nomination form by Friday, October 11, 2024. Nominations can only be made from DCDSB secondary school staff or school administration. The principal, or designate, will seek feedback from the school community and will submit up to two (2) nominations on behalf of the school. Please note that if you are nominating two students, we kindly ask that you fill out a separate nomination form for each student.
Note: the nomination form is only available for staff to submit. Incomplete and/or late submissions will not be considered.
Nominations must include:
- A one-page statement of contribution, which outlines the leadership qualities and efforts the student has undertaken to contribute to equity, diversity and inclusion related service, engagement and/or programming.
- Contact information for at least one (1) professional reference who can validate the nominee’s leadership qualities and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion related service, engagement and/or programming. Acceptable references include, but are not limited to, guidance counsellors, principals, vice-principals, current or former supervisors and advisors.
Selection Criteria
During each awards cycle, submissions for the Black Student Excellence Award will be evaluated by the Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee to identify eligible students who have demonstrated leadership qualities and excelled in making significant contributions to the advancement of equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives.
The Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Committee will select one overall award winner to receive the Distinguished Black Student Excellence Award.
The award recipient and all nominees will be honoured during an awards ceremony on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
Contact Us
For further details, please contact Kayode Akomolafe, Human Rights & Equity Advisor, at Kayode.Akomolafe@dcdsb.ca.