Presentations and Events

Learn more about the committee here.

Like many organizations across the country, the DCDSB celebrates Black History Month each February. The focus of this committee is to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions, culture, history, and achievements of Black students, staff, families, and communities, not only during Black History Month, but every day.

Meeting dates:

• September 26, 2023
• October 24, 2023
• November 21, 2023
• December 19, 2023
• January 23, 2024
• February 8, 2024
• February 29, 2024 – Black History Month Closing Celebration (CEC)
• April 23, 2024
• May 28, 2024

Continue to build relationships with community partners who provide culturally relevant resources and support to our racialized students and families.

Current community partners:

• Durham Family and Cultural Centre (DFCC)
• DurhamONE
• Intergenerational Hub
• TAIBU
• Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre (WMRCC)

Building upon last year’s successful program, which engaged 30 classes and 757 students across the DCDSB, this virtual engagement series for Grade 7 to 9 classes will once again be facilitated by Tanika Riley (a.k.a. iNsight). This is a four-session series:

2024 Dates:

• Session 1: SELF-Awareness – WHO AM I? March 21, 2024
• Session 2: SELF-Regulation – HOW DO I FEEL? April 11, 2024
• Session 3: SELF-Love: HOW DO I SPEAK TO MYSELF AND OTHERS? May 2, 2024
• Session 4: SELF-Expression: HOW DO I EXPRESS MYSELF? May 23, 2024

Session 1: SELF-Awareness - WHO AM I?

On Thursday, March 21, 2024, approximately 520 Grade 7-9 students across DCDSB participated in the first session of Created in the Image of God: I am because We are (Ubuntu). Ubuntu is a virtual engagement series led by Tanika Riley with guest, Matthew Jones, in collaboration with a board planning team. The first session was focused on self-awareness, and it took a closer look at personal beliefs, labels, and personal identities such as race, culture, stereotypes, talent, and skills, and how our beliefs can be helpful or harmful.

Grade 7 Students Share their Ubuntu Experience

Ms. Spitale and her Grade 7 students share their experience about Ubuntu and how the engagement series has helped them learn more about themselves. Thank you to Ms. Spitale and her Grade 7 students for participating in this video! Watch the video below:

Engagement Series In Person Gathering

On May 23, Grades 7 to 9 students celebrated the final session of the Created in the Image of God: I Am because We Are (Ubuntu) engagement series. This event brought together approximately 500 students from across the Durham Catholic District School Board and was led by Tanika Riley featuring guest speaker Matthew Jones.

Focusing on embracing the principles of Indigenous and African wisdom, this final session was an opportunity to integrate and reflect on the leadership lessons and learning experiences shared in the previous virtual sessions.

A big thank you to all staff, students, and partners for this learning opportunity.

This community partnership in four of our Catholic Secondary Schools supports culturally relevant facilitation through intergenerational connection, mentoring, and rhythm. Black “seasoned” adults with diverse career experience will share their wisdom and experience with students in the Grade 10 Careers course (GLC2O).

• Notre Dame CSS – November 13, 20, 27, December 4, 11
• Father Leo J. Austin CSS – November 14, 21, 28, December 5, 12
• St. Mary CSS – February 12, 26, March 4, 18, 25
• Msgr. John Pereyma CSS – February 13, 27, March 5, 19, 26

We are pleased share our newsletters to Black families at the DCDSB, and look forward to sharing information, resources, and upcoming events that may be of interest. 

Families can express interest in receiving communications for Black students and families on the student verification form. The 2023-2024 newsletters can be found below: 

• November 28, 2023: Black Excellence Newsletter
• February 9, 2024: Black Excellence Newsletter
• May 27, 2024: Black Excellence Newsletter