The game that started almost 100 years ago on the streets of Barbados, with courts drawn out on tar or cement and vines or chalk used to mark boundaries, is now making its way into the classrooms of the York Region District School Board.

Road tennis, an indigenous sport in Barbados, has developed into a competitive game played on bright blue and green courts by two players using wooden rackets to hit a ball over an eight-inch net. It gained traction through people in impoverished communities who wanted to play a game similar to lawn tennis or table tennis, according to .

Although it has humble beginnings, the game has developed sophisticated rules and officiating structures, and is played competitively by athletes who aspire to gain the title of road tennis champion, according to Barbados Tourism.

In one of his visits to Barbados, where he had worked with the government on sport tourism initiatives, Ron Weese, president of Sport Aurora and town councillor, encountered road tennis and it immediately caught his attention.

“I was intrigued by its unique nature and the fact that it’s a sport that grew out of the streets of Barbados,” he said. “The fact that it’s relatively inexpensive to get underway was important.”

Road tennis is easy and fun to play, but it’s not so easy to master, Weese said.

Bringing the sport to elementary schools made the most sense because that’s where every child goes, giving each student a chance to try it, Weese added.

Weese, along with Barbados ex-patriot and Aurora resident Ron Kellman, approached the school board about including the sport in the curriculum.

Road tennis will be introduced through a pilot project for the 2023-24 year in several YRDSB elementary schools within the  curriculum. Students will be given instruction in the sport itself as well as learn about the cultural significance of road tennis in Barbados.

“It’s great exercise, it’s a great workout. It has the equity, diversity and inclusiveness in it,” Kellman said. 

Kellman has been working with the government of Barbados, which wanted to export the sport around the world but didn’t have the resources to do that, he said.

“I called on my friends and said, ‘We have an opportunity to do something really special.’ How often do you get to be on the forefront of something?” Kellman said. “We’re just getting started.”

A road tennis demonstration was held during the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame 2022 induction gala, where it was an “immediate success,” said president Mark Gravett. 

“It was a natural for us to continue to work with local representatives and the Government of Barbados to extend this experience.”

Both Weese and Kellman said one of the motivating factors to bring road tennis to Canada is the opportunity to be at the forefront of a sport they hope will gain international traction and eventually be an official sport at the Olympics.

When Carl James, a professor at �첥��Ƶ, heard about the introduction of road tennis in the YRDSB curriculum, he initially wanted to know what the board was trying to accomplish and questioned if the sport would help reach that goal.

“In addition to the game and the program, what else (is the school board) going to put in place to affirm the presence of these students of Barbadian background? It cannot be just simply, let’s put in this sport and therefore it’s going to help affirm the students,” he said.

James said it’s important teachers are also supportive of students and their engagement in the schooling system. 

“Will you also start developing curriculum that will speak to the experiences of Black students beyond the game?”

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Road tennis, an indigenous sport in Barbados, is being introduced at some elementary schools in the York Region District School Board this school year as part of its Identity-affirming health and physical education program. We thought it was important to explore the potential impact it will have on students. 

Article originally published on August 25 by YorkRegion.com.

The post In the media - ‘We’re just getting started’: Aurora launch pad for road tennis in Ontario appeared first on Faculty of Education.

It will be an empowering and elevating Summer 2023 as the Nubian Book Club (NBC) celebrates its 16^th anniversary. It is one of the highlights of the summer as students and staff from school boards in the Greater Toronto Area as well as Ottawa celebrate the power of literacy to energize minds, empower souls, encourage hearts and elevate spirits.

In addition: parents, community individuals, and educational stakeholders have been a vital part of each summer session. These summer sessions will continue the tradition of uplifting and building community through literacy. The NBC is a network of students, parents and community members who are engaged in the academic and social well-being of students. Furthermore, it uses literacy as a tool for advancing student success, leadership skills, and community engagement among youth, particularly those of African-Canadian heritage.

The four stated goals of the Nubian Book Club are:

• Motivate students by getting them to engage in what is most important to them
• Promote social literacies such as networking, authentic engagement and discussions around high-interest and non-fiction texts
• Stimulate discussions, speakers and participants make connections to different texts and share various experiences
• Expose students to people they may not otherwise meet and reinforces the value of reading and gaining knowledge and experience. They learn that literacy is something that enriches and creates community

Prior to the pandemic the summer sessions were held at Donna Cardoza’s home in York Region. The theme for 2023 will be “Cultivating Black Joy: Critical Literacy Through Student Voice.” The promotional material for the NBC 2023 mentions that the sessions will delve into the power of cultivating Black Joy and centering student’s voice. Together they will explore literature, engage in critical discussions and uplift the narratives that celebrate Black excellence. They want to create a space where our youth and community can: heal, grow and thrive. Black Joy is an excellent focus to highlight its vital power.

The dates and themes of each session are:

Session 1: Thursday, July 6^th (Virtual): Understanding Black Joy

Guest speaker, Ginelle Skerritt, Chief Executive Officer, York Region Children’s Aid Society

Session 2: Thursday, July 6^th (Virtual): Cultivating Black Joy

Guest speaker, Dr. Andrew Campbell (Dr.ABC), Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream in Leadership for Racial Justice in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning (CTL) at the University of Toronto-Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

Session 3: Thursday, August 20^th (In-person): Embodying Black Joy

The list of facilitators for Nubian Book Club 2023 includes the following:

• Camille Logan – Associate Director of School Engagement & Equity at PDSB
• Vidya Shah – Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at �첥��Ƶ
• Clayton La Touche – Assistant Deputy Minister, Student Support and Field Services
• Cecil Roach – Associate Director of Education, Equitable Outcomes and Schools at York Region District School Board (YRDSB)
• Jeewan Chanicka – Director of Education at Waterloo Region District School Board
• Alison Gaymes – Superintendent at Toronto District School Board
• Ramon San Vicente – Principal of Dixon Grove Junior Middle School in the TDSB
• Prince Duah – Superintendent of Instruction for Central Schools with the OCDSB
• Carl James – Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora
• Deanna Heron – Principal in York Region District School Board (YRDSB)
• Phiona Lloyd-Henry – Coordinating Principal for System Transformation & Capacity Building
• Pierrette Walker – Educator at YRDSB and Performance Plus Teacher
• Bethel Soressa -Technical blogger at bethel soressa
• Jacqueline Lawrence – Diversity and Equity Coordinator at Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB)
• Mubarek Baker – Middle School Success Counsellor with Toronto District School Board

Everyone is welcome to attend the NBC. Visitor can make registrations: bit.ly/nubianbc2023. For more information contact Donna Cordoza:(647)-403-5821

Article originally published via Toronto Caribbean on July 12, 2023.

The post Cultivating Black Joy: Critical Literacy Through Student Voice appeared first on Faculty of Education.

When former MP Jean Augustine (LLD '11) was elected to the Parliament of Canada in 1993, she brought with her the hopes of her community, the voices of those she advocated for and the aspirations of her ancestors. As the first Black woman elected as a Member of Parliament, she was automatically catapulted to the status of role model for the millions who would come after her.

In 1995, Augustine single-handedly championed the unanimous vote to officially designate February as Black History Month in Canada.��

Now in her 80s, Augustine continues to advocate for the causes that are important to her, including the initiative to fully endow the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora at �첥��Ƶ.

One of only two endowed university Chairs in Canada dedicated to research and knowledge mobilization endeavours on Black and African-descended communities, the Jean Augustine chair seeks to:

• Foster an understanding of the diverse cultural and educational needs of students;
• Facilitate leadership on matters of access, equity, inclusivity and social justice;
• Strengthen university-community partnerships and engagement; and,
• Build educational and social capacity among students, junior scholars and community members.

Recent world events have brought to the forefront the need for leaders, communities, businesses and individuals to take action to combat systemic racism and advocate for social justice issues globally. Canada is not immune to the reality of racism and how it can marginalize and disenfranchise those most vulnerable. Education is one of the keys to driving long-lasting, fundamental change in Black and other racialized communities across Canada.

Learn more about the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora and how you can contribute here. To read more about Jean Augustine’s life and work, .

This is a modified version of the original article published in the February 8, 2021 issue of .

The post The Jean Augustine story: Claiming a seat at the table appeared first on Faculty of Education.

When former MP Jean Augustine (LLD '11) was elected to the Parliament of Canada in 1993, she brought with her the hopes of her community, the voices of those she advocated for and the aspirations of her ancestors. As the first Black woman elected as a Member of Parliament, she was automatically catapulted to the status of role model for the millions who would come after her.

Now in her 80s, Augustine continues to advocate for the causes that are important to her, including the initiative to fully endow the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora at �첥��Ƶ.

That’s why, when Augustine contacted Sheldon Pitt – better known as Solitair, a recognized music producer and community activist – in June 2020, to ask him to revive the campaign to fully endow the Chair, he knew to take her request seriously. Having grown up referring to her as his “Auntie Jean,” Solitair had seen her advocacy and determination firsthand and had heard her stories about the challenges and successes she had experienced as he grew up.

“My parents grew up with ‘Auntie Jean’ in Grenada, so I had spent many holidays as a child listening to them reminisce and share stories over meals,” said Solitair. “One thing that always resonated for me was the idea that having a voice on the important issues really matters. So when my ‘Auntie Jean’ explained the significance of the chair, I knew it was an opportunity for me to help ensure that the voice she, and as so many others, had given to issues like diversity and education could continue indefinitely.”

To assemble his team, Solitair wanted people who he knew would be just as passionate about continuing Augustine’s legacy as he was, so he recruited long-time friends, Jennifer Seif and Willona Fraser, both York alumni, to form the Jean Augustine Chair Endowment Fund (JACEF) Committee. In October 2020, the team of volunteers launched a social media campaign called "Bridge for Change" to help build awareness, educate the public and start a discussion about the work of the Chair.

Augustine envisions a Chair that is “for the people, by the people”, so the JACEF Committee launched the campaign into high gear with the “25K in 25 Days” initiative, which aims to highlight the 25th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada by raising $25,000 towards the endowment fund in 25 days from community sources during the month of February. To strengthen that goal, corporate sponsor Accenture will match all community donations to the fund throughout the month.

One of only two endowed university Chairs in Canada dedicated to research and knowledge mobilization endeavours on Black and African-descended communities, the Jean Augustine chair seeks to:

• Foster an understanding of the diverse cultural and educational needs of students;
• Facilitate leadership on matters of access, equity, inclusivity and social justice;
• Strengthen university-community partnerships and engagement; and,
• Build educational and social capacity among students, junior scholars and community members.

Recent world events have brought to the forefront the need for leaders, communities, businesses and individuals to take action to combat systemic racism and advocate for social justice issues globally. Canada is not immune to the reality of racism and how it can marginalize and disenfranchise those most vulnerable. Education is one of the keys to driving long-lasting, fundamental change in Black and other racialized communities across Canada.

“Continuing Jean’s legacy is much bigger than the committee or �첥��Ƶ,” said  Solitair. “It falls to all those she has motivated to claim their seat at the table with her boldness, her strength and her ability to think beyond the bounds of what is expected to what is possible.”

Learn more about the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora and how you can contribute��here. To read more about Jean Augustine’s life and work,��.

Article from the February 8, 2021 issue of .

The post The Jean Augustine story: Claiming a seat at the table appeared first on Faculty of Education.

Building on the work of numerous Black community-based organizations, NABC is an initiative of the in the Faculty of Education at �첥��Ƶ. The Network amplifies the Chair’s��aims to advance access, equity and inclusivity to education through community engagement and collaborative action.

Constituted in part by agencies and initiatives funded under the , NABC�� supports 70 agencies and works collectively to reduce education, employment and well-being outcome disparities of Black children, youth and families through : Innovative supports for Black Parents, Stop Now and Plan Middle Years Program, Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker Program, Youth Opportunities Fund, Industry Led Career Initiative, Violence Prevention Campaigns Initiative and the Youth Mentorship Program.

“We deploy community of practices as a model to promote learning and to build capacity for systems change”, said NABC Director Amanuel Melles. “So far, we have two communities of practice: Youth Mentoring, and Data and Evaluation Capacity Building in the Black community sector”.

Pictured above: NABC session on Data and Evaluation Capacity Building Community of Practice held in October 2019 in Ottawa.

NABC continues to expand and work with numerous organizations across Ontario and Canada to strengthen the conditions for systemic changes through collaborative learning. NABC staff member Denise Challenger comments, "Working as a Network Weaver has been an exhilarating experience. It pushes me to find collaborative and creative ways for network members to build healthy connections, share resources, mobilize knowledge and self-organize in lived and virtual spaces. Each day offers me a new opportunity to map and strengthen relationships within the Black non-profit ecosystem."

Some of the initiatives that NABC has created/collaborated on include:

NABC in collaboration with the Youth Opportunities Fund of the Ontario Trillium Foundation hosts a discussion series, “Leadership for Systems Change.”�� During each knowledge sharing session, we discuss a text-based report or video presentation of a systems change thought leader. Our goal is to develop a shared understanding of how best to apply a system change framework to the issues that affect black children, youth and families in Ontario.

We often hear about Black bodies being profiled; in this series we profile Black excellence. We interview both individual agencies and community thought leaders asking them to share how their programs and initiatives promote Black excellence, positive identity formation and inclusivity in order to address anti-Black racism and other challenges facing Black communities.

This series provide a platform for thought leaders, organizations, allies and grassroots groups in Black communities to explore the impact of the pandemic on our communities. It mobilizes knowledge to build capacity for collective action-oriented solutions. The Provincial Government recently announced one million dollars in additional funding for NABC to support Black organizations in their COVID-19 related emergency responses.

UN Decade of People of African Descent Capacity Building Program
NABC has provided extensive support to the development of national capacity fund for Black organizations across Canada that will be implemented for the next four years. This fund was announced by the federal Government in 2019 and will kick start in 2020.

“This is a very important initiative that promises to help address the issues we are facing at this time,” said Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora Carl James. “It is consistent with the goal of NABC.”

NABC has also launched a new that houses a wealth of resources including COVID-19 related information; publications and reports related to youth education, employment as well as health and well-being.

��

The post Initiative aims to address long-standing systemic disparities in Black Communities appeared first on Faculty of Education.