School Boards Recognize Black History Month
The Ottawa Carleton Catholic School Board will be commemorating Black History Month throughout February.
Last year, the OCSB Black History Month 2023 centred on the theme ‘Black Joy: Inspiring Change.’ This year, the OCSB is evolving its focus to embrace a new theme: ‘Boldly Me, Diverse We: Shaping Our Collective Future.’ This powerful theme empowers Black students, encouraging them to embrace their unique identities proudly. It highlights the rich diversity within Black communities and underscores the importance of working together to create a bright, inclusive future.
As February unfolds, the OCSB invites everyone to join in a journey of reflection, celebration, and hope. Black History Month is more than a commemoration; it’s a vibrant celebration of the triumphs and positive influences of Black Canadians. It’s a time to acknowledge Black communities’ resilience and strength and foster a vision of the future where diversity is recognized and cherished.
The theme ‘Boldly Me, Diverse We’ encourages us to embrace our individuality while recognizing the strength in our diversity. It’s a call to action to build a future grounded in unity, empathy, and shared achievements. By standing together, we can forge a tomorrow that is not only brighter but also richer in its inclusivity.
Let’s commit to this journey together, celebrating each step towards a future where every voice is heard, every identity is respected, and every individual is valued.
#ocsbBlackHistoryMonth Video Contest
The OCSB is proud to announce the third annual #ocsbBlackHistoryMonth video contest. This contest is a platform for OCSB students to show what celebrating their Black Identities means to them. The deadline to submit a video is Friday, March 8th, at 5:00 pm. This year’s winners will be unveiled during a ceremony in late April.
Recognizing Champions of #ocsbBlackExcellence
At the heart of the OCSB school community are the dedicated staff members – educators and non-teaching personnel – who tirelessly champion Black excellence. Their commitment ensures that every student feels acknowledged, listened to, and valued. In recognition of these vital contributions, they are excited to announce the return of the OCSB Champions of Black Excellence Nominations.
This is your opportunity to shine a light on those exceptional OCSB employees who consistently go the extra mile to nurture and promote #ocsbBlackExcellence. Nominate someone who makes a real difference in our community, and remember to give them a public shout-out on social media using the hashtag #ocsbBlackExcellence.
Please submit your nominations by Friday, March 1st, 2024.
Highlighting Black Voices in Our Community
The ‘Amplifying Black Voices’ initiative at the OCSB is dedicated to showcasing its Black students’ and staff’s experiences and perspectives. This effort aims to strengthen our sense of community, understanding, and unity by sharing diverse personal narratives. Promoting the lived experiences of Black students and staff fosters an equitable learning environment and increases affirming representation, which aligns with our Board’s commitments in the declaration on the UN decade for People of African Descent, our EDI framework, Ontario’s Anti-Black Racism Strategy, to name a few. It opens the door to respectful conversations between different student groups, encouraging a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives. By focusing on shared humanity rather than differences, we build connections and foster empathy, ultimately breaking down barriers and creating a more united community.
Please share your stories by 5:00 pm on Friday, March 1st, as we celebrate the rich diversity of our educational environment together.
For more information, visit https://www.ocsb.ca/2024/01/31/celebrating-diversity-ocsb-black-history-month-2024/ .
OCDSB hosting Black History Month event Feb. 24 in Barrhaven
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board will be hosting a special event commemorating Black History Month in Barrhaven Sat., Feb. 24.
The OCDSB will host the Black History Showcase: Honouring Black Excellence at Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School.
This event is sponsored by the OCDSB’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team, in collaboration with Future Paths Network, V2V Project, and the Somali Centre for Family Services.
This in-person event, celebrating Black culture and achievements will be held between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at LDHSS.
