Black History Month 2020

“On February 6, 2020, more than 35 high school students representing our families of African heritage came together to share their vision for planning our upcoming African Heritage Student Symposium on May 12, 2020. Here at the York Catholic District School Board, we continue to engage our students’ voices and empower our students to guide our work on Anti-Black Racism. We thank these student leaders for the spirit and energy they brought to the February 6th planning session. I look forward to attending the Symposium on May 12th.”

Maria Marchese
Chair, Board of Trustees

[useyourdrive dir=”1QRQokM8EuL6SuJ0VKbmfjDrhJs76oN4r” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

Blessed Trinity CES created a “Hallway of Heroes” to honour Black people and their contributions from around the world. Students scanned the QR codes for each “hero” to read their stories.

Students from Father Michael McGivney CA‘s African Caribbean Club hosted a variety of events and activities in honour of Black History Month, including movie nights, photo galleries and more. On Feb. 25, students welcomed Babarinde Williams from Drums Etal, to inspire students through “The Spirit of Madiba” (leadership and character development workshops inspired by Nelson Mandela).

[useyourdrive dir=”14cNpEMdzLLK1LvMO4IxVuDTEGaCd2qoG” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”files” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

Students at Holy Cross CA welcomed multi-Juno Award Winner, Liberty Silver, as she inspired students to reach their full potential and turn their dreams into reality.

[useyourdrive dir=”1f0HXE68WAh61Wjv8g01uVt_rCnvL8u4B” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

Holy Name CES welcomed motivational speaker and children’s author, Aubrey Clarke, on Feb. 13. Clarke read a collection of his stories to students in hopes of inspiring them to embrace diverse challenges and learn ways to overcome them.

[useyourdrive dir=”12OLkuDuM_yxcepgrM6bMo2w8nnUEX56n” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

The Canadian Multicultural Inventors Museum visited students at Holy Spirit CES to showcase the many contributions and inventions created from people around the world, including George Crum, the inventor of the potato chip, Dennis Weatherby, the inventor of dishwasher detergent, Dr. Christine Darden, an aerospace engineer who wrote complex programs for engineers at NASA and more.

[useyourdrive dir=”11D1qnM9lLiPIY4qOc9kfazMcJJv_EVuM” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

Blues singer, Diana Braithwaite, and guitarist, Chris Whiteley, took students on a historical journey of Black Canadians through music.

Black history through music. #OLGC #YCDSB #STREAM @PathwaysYCDSB @TAcunto pic.twitter.com/on88oisuol

— Amanda Halls (@edwithmshallzz1) February 6, 2020

Our Lady of the Lake CCS held a Black History Month exhibition complete with an interactive wall for students to scan QR codes to read inspiring stories of Black people from around the world, including Maya Angelou and Kobe Bryant. Students also created buttons based on themes from the animated short film, “Hair Love”.

[useyourdrive dir=”14bnSrPJ8f4gFBmeQL9A_sx2xuSGyYAbX” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

In honour of Black History Month, students at Sacred Heart CHS shared what Black history means to them through powerful spoken word poetry and song.

[useyourdrive dir=”13oJb-QIzna0FqXll3tUIodrId3MCO83o” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

Author and musician, Aubrey Clarke, read to students from several of his children’s books including Fly Little Blackbird Fly and It’s Not Over Until It’s Over. He also wrote the lyrics to the inspirational song “Fly Fly Way Up High.”

[useyourdrive dir=”1QnOdXbVYTrg6DtSzu-I3nPHC87BDOzcp” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

St. Agnes of Assisi CES welcomed Nadine Williams, artist, poet and author to share powerful messages and personal narratives on the importance of Black history.

[useyourdrive dir=”11zWvo5K0uKBuO0xaBYLkhvQCeKm-amBy” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

Students at St. Andrew CES heard stories and songs from musical duo, Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley, about the Underground Railroad, “a secret network of abolitionists”, who helped African Americans escape from enslavement.

[useyourdrive dir=”11MqEmuQf1GRTxKgxRc8SJjBQwbTuIm7W” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

Students and staff at St. Angela Merici CES were treated to a special performance by JUNO-award winner, Liberty Silver, as she shared her message about the importance of mutual respect, kindness and manifesting goodness throughout Black History Month and beyond.

St. Brother André CHS‘s African Caribbean Culture Club invited York Catholic District School Board alumni back to their school to partake in a Black History Month panel to share messages of hope and inspiration.

[useyourdrive dir=”14d3bkYkRoeP4Ywgo8yrN-rGIdwfUoMoa” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

St. Gabriel the Archangel CES displayed artwork and inspirational messages in celebration of Black History Month. On, Feb. 24, students welcomed D.O. Gibson, motivational speaker and Guiness World Record holder for the longest rap (approx. 8.5 hours) to their school as he rapped and shared inspirational messages of hope and resilience.

[useyourdrive dir=”14OeTrOPwx-ks4F6YKVWQStwf8DUZrjJK” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”files” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

Grade 6 students at St. Jerome CES “weaved” a Black History Month quilt. The quilt includes stories of Black people from around the world, and their contributions, past and present.

Students at St. John Paul II CES created pop art work featuring famous Black people from around the world.

Actor and playwright, Leslie McCurdy, performed her one-woman play “The Spirit of Harriet Tubman” which uses Harriet’s own words to tell the story of her life, and inspire others with her strength and bravery.

[useyourdrive dir=”1kn68IurpQuAdVgipacob-X-vpVTdUkXZ” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

St. Justin Martyr CES continues their Black History Month celebrations by marking the importance of unity, inclusiveness and diversity. Students expressed their powerful messages through song, dance, poetry and multimedia in a school assembly.

[useyourdrive dir=”10umhgFIcorUsGj9Dz1_-rkA6zhdmiXPj” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

Students at St. Patrick CES in Markham, continue to learn about important historical figures in honour of Black History Month and relating it to their dreams for a better future through personal stories and artwork.

[useyourdrive dir=”12I3jAwu3iTLO2eeH-fH5tOCNP8iqDhJC” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

Students and staff at St. Paul CES welcomed the Canadian Multicultural Inventors Museum to view the many contributions and inventions created from people around the world, including African, Caribbean, Indigenous, Muslim and more.

[useyourdrive dir=”1S1Xb5ua8VgS41REEnsKYkmybKgfn2cS4″ account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

Musician, dancer and educator, Fana Soro, from Yamo! Yamo! got staff and students at St. Peter CES up and dancing as he introduced West African history and culture to the school.

[useyourdrive dir=”13yi3Xl5mkoHL9XlBEaTnepZ-3O5jv4JF” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. and his powerful speech, students at St. Rene Goupil – St, Luke CES shared their own messages in honour of Black History Month.

[useyourdrive dir=”13kKMrqZe_jwtqfXk_TZ7qPAXp9-Y5q5B” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

The staff mental health committee at St. Robert CHS organized a Black History poetry slam where students shared inspirational, reflective and empowering messages.

[useyourdrive dir=”146TnawVd1xxsr9vGO06wScUnJYIpTVf3″ account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

St. Robert CHS welcomed youth motivational speaker, Anthony MacLean, to remind students to be allies for each other because everyone is fighting a battle that no one knows anything about.

[useyourdrive dir=”146yfg9vNRqgPaRSC6Nn09lGxVbFwRfUU” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]

Staff and students were treated to an interactive musical presentation by Duane Gibson, Canadian rapper, who shared stories of Black Canadians and inspired students with his message to Stay Driven.

[useyourdrive dir=”1QZpY6nm99ddIxyLsXQfTjTsxF3CTAkbG” account=”115244589152119480771″ mode=”gallery” viewrole=”administrator|author|contributor|editor|subscriber|guest” downloadrole=”all”]