Black History Month recognized at Upper Grand District School Board

GUELPH – February is Black History Month, or Black Heritage Month, and the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) is teaching students about Black Canadians.  

“We are recognizing Black History Month not as a moment but as an essential part of how we teach, lead and learn across Upper Grand,” director of education Peter Sovran said during a Jan. 27 board meeting. 

There is a red, black, green and gold banner at the top of the board’s website with the words “Black joy, history, heritage, brilliance month.” 

Sovran said these colours symbolize “the heritage, resilience and contributions of people of African decent, unity and pride and the ongoing pursuit of justice.” 

He said the board weaves Black History Month into year-round learning and relationship building. 

“In classrooms and schools, students and staff, joined by families and community members, are engaging through curriculum connected lessons, student leadership, professional learning and partnerships that affirm identity and belonging.” 

Sovran said elementary students focus on literacy and inquiry by reading Black authors, creating announcements and displays, researching prominent Black Canadians and participating in whole-school learning. 

“Equity and social justice groups are helping to lead this work,” he noted. 

At high schools, Sovran said “Black Student Unions and student leaders are at the centre, hosting assemblies, showcases, screenings and discussions, art and music programming, research projects and celebrations of Black contributions across disciplines. 

Board chair Ralf Mesenbrink said Black History Month is “a time to celebrate achievements ... and an opportunity to learn about Canada’s history and recognize systemic barriers Black communities continue to face and recommit to addressing anti-Black racism and discrimination.” 

The  UGDSB is in the midst of a human rights review and has been criticized by a grassroots collective of parents of Black students who say there’s an urgent need for advocacy, support and accountability within the school board. 

Black Parent Council

The collective – the UGDSB Black Parent Council – is partnering with the Young SeedKeepers and the Guelph Black Heritage Society to present an event at Heritage Hall (83 Essex St., Guelph) on Feb. 8. 

Facilitated by Deijaumar Clarke, the event, Building Our Black Radical Imagination, is for Black youth (10 and up) and their families and will take place from 2 to 5pm.

This immersive, youth-centred workshop will explore Black radical tradition in Canada, “a powerful history of resistance, creativity and community care often left out of classrooms,” organizers state. 

“Together,   we’ll examine music, literature, art, fashion and grassroots movements that have challenged systems of oppression across the African diaspora. 

“Through hands-on activities in visual art, story telling, poetry and public speaking participants will deepen their understanding of abolitionist principals and learn how to apply them within their own communities,” organizers continue. 

To register for this free event visit tinyurl.com/3nynytm7.