Affirming spaces: Black Education symposium places history front of mind

Feb 7, 2025

Five women posing together and smiling — From left: University Professor Maydianne Andrade, Toronto Metropolitan University Professor Grace-Camille Munroe, Queen’s University Professor Alana Butler, OISE doctoral student Tanitiã Munroe and University of Windsor Professor Camisha Sibblis. Photo by Perry King.

“We need to be prepared for the future.”

University Professor Maydianne Andrade made this bold statement of the task at hand as she introduced one of the many panels during a full – and thought-provoking – day of conversations at the Black Education Symposium: The History of Black Education in Canada held January 28.

Presented by OISE’s Centre for Black Studies in Education (CBSE) with the Black Future Educators’ Program Pathway program (BFEP), the symposium examined historical truths surrounding Black education in Canada. Three hundred participants from school boards, colleges, universities and community organizations registered for the symposium.

Fostering connections and meaningful conversations

With a focus on the ongoing political, cultural, and social challenges, the day-long event, hosted by CBSE director, Professor Andrew B. Campbell, fostered connections and sparked meaningful conversations about creating better educational outcomes for Black students. Dr. Campbell spoke passionately about community – how, as he says, “we walk and live and pour into each other.”

“It is how we create and continue to write our history and secure Black futures,” he says.

It’s important for us to remember that Black History Month was intended to spur learning and community building throughout the year, not just within 28 of the 29 days of the month.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Afua Cooper, professor of history at U of T Scarborough, described the energy at the symposium as a “melanated space” – something we often do not see in our universities. Cooper’s keynote focused on Canadian songstress Portia White, using her story to highlight the historical struggles of Black women in securing freedom and opportunities in their chosen professional fields.

It’s important for us to remember that Black History Month was intended to spur learning and community building throughout the year, not just within 28 of the 29 days of the month.

Andrade, who serves as Special Advisor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at OISE for the 2024-2025 academic year, moderated a panel entitled “Black Futures in Education.” The discussion explored the contributions of Black communities to education in Canada and the ways they have historically organized and advocated for equitable education. Her first question focused on what is essential to ensure Black students are flourishing in postsecondary education.

“Consider the importance of Black affirming spaces,” said panelist Dr. Alana Butler, OISE alumna and professor of education at Queen’s University. “The question was, ‘What do we do in terms of creating an environment where Black students can feel welcome?’ and I think that the first thing is [creating] an identity-affirming space, like we have here in this room. [We need to] create that in our own spaces.”

How Black students can flourish

Joining Butler was Tanitiã Munroe, OISE doctoral student and senior research coordinator for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Professor Grace-Camille Munroe from Toronto Metropolitan University, and Professor Camisha Sibblis from the University of Windsor. Together, they discussed how Black students can flourish, the importance of dismantling oppressive structures, and fostering environments where Black students can thrive holistically.

OISE Professors Ann Lopez and Robyn Maynard, U of T honorary degree recipient and alumna Rosemary Sadlier, and Karen Murray, TDSB’s System Superintendent for Equity also engaged in a rich conversation about the past and the future of education for Black youth.

Dr. Natasha Henry-Dixon, an professor of African Canadian History at York University, closed the day with a presentation about what Black communities have endured in education, including legal and de facto segregation, academic streaming, and more.

“It’s important for us to remember that Black History Month is intended to spur learning and community-building throughout the year, not just within 28 of the 29 days of the month,” she says. “So, it serves to inspire us to act and not just to celebrate. What are we doing come March 1? What are we doing in June and October?”

She ended her remarks with a powerful call to action: “I hope that my talk synthesized the importance of Black education in the past, got us to think critically about the direction that we need to go, and called upon us to work together in order to make that happen.”

By Perry King

Explore related campaign priorities: Build inclusive cities & societies Create a sustainable future