• Promote knowledge of black history and experience
• Circulate information on positive Black contributions to Canadian & North American Society
• Heighten the confidence and awareness of Black people in their cultural heritage

Upcoming Events in February

• Grade assemblies with guest speakers
• Morning announcement that will take you through a brief history of African Canadian History
• BHM Film Festival
• Dufferin Peel Black History Month Conference
• Name the Face Contest in matrix display booth

Grade Assemblie

Period 1 in Cafeteria 8:05-9:05

Wednesday February 11th 2009	Grade 10 Duane Gibson
Thursday February 12th 2009	Grade 9 Al St. Louis
Thursday February 26th, 2009	Grade 12 Akwatu Khenti
Friday February 27th, 2009	Grade 11 Trey Anthony

 Al St. Louis

In the year 2000 CEO/Host/Entrepreneur, Al St. Louis, was introduced to the Art of Spoken Word - a life changing experience! He fell in love with the art form immediately; particularly the stage and the power that both bring to the artist and the audience. Quickly realizing that Spoken Word is a medium through which positive change can be achieved, he set out to make that change by creating this organization, appropriately named When Words Are Spoken. This ongoing event dedicated to showcasing talent within Toronto and its surrounding area was St. Louis' brainchild in response to the lack of opportunity that existed for gifted Toronto-based artists to perform and acquire much needed exposure. He continues to be diligent in providing this platform for musicians, artists of the Spoken Word and other artistic genres to share their thoughts and talent with a growing number of followers.
St. Louis has performed his own brand of spiritually intense Spoken Words on many stages in Toronto, sharing the spotlight with various established artists. His passion for life is evident not only in the painstaking effort he applies to setting up his entertaining shows, but also in his writing style and delivery. Audiences at his events experience a spiritual awakening of sorts. His words alter one's perspective on the man-made "absolutes" of this world, as his voice resonates through the rafters of each venue powerfully, rhythmically, “Poetically”…gently expanding minds made narrow by social pressure. A new school of thought…a new system of, what Al refers to as OVERstanding.

Each show is marked with a specific theme geared towards enlightening the mind, body and soul, because again…When Words Are Spoken was founded under the belief that “Spoken Word is the medium from which change will come.” And Al’s goal is to be one of the leaders advocating for this change, while providing a stage for other leaders to share their vision.

For more info http://www.whenwordsarespoken.com

Duane Gibson

 Duane Gibson aka D.O. is a Guinness World Record setting rapper and University graduate that has been inspiring hundreds of thousands of youth since 2001.  D.O. has released several chart topping songs on the radio and had six videos that play in rotation on MuchMusic.  Recently he signed two record deals ­ one for his solo album with Halflife/EMI and another with Nova Music/Universal for his group Art of Fresh.

D.O. stands for “Defy the Odds.”  As a child growing up in small towns across Canada, no one expected a young Duane Gibson to become a rap star.

In addition to being a rapper, Gibson is a University graduate.  An English major, he graduated from York University with an Honors Degree and earned a spot on the Dean's List after writing an A plus thesis entitled "Rap as a Continuum of African-American Linguistic Practices."

After graduating, Gibson became a part time teacher, teaching after school English classes in Scarborough, Ontario.  On the weekends he taught learn to read classes to junior kindergarten students.

In 2001, Gibson was asked to speak to a class of students about how he was able to be a rapper but also graduate from University.  Following the talk, a teacher suggested he should speak at her husband's school.  In a few short months, Gibson was fielding requests to speak and perform at dozens of schools and Stay Driven was born.

In 2003, D.O. set his sights on another goal - a World Record.  On July of 2003, D.O. set a Guinness World Record by freestyling for 8 hours and 45 minutes.  D.O. was featured on Much Music and MTV following the World Record setting feat.

For more info http://staydriven.com/

Trey Anthony 

Trey Anthony is an actor/comedian who resides in Toronto, Canada. She was born in England and came to Canada several years ago.

She is a regular on the Canadian comedy circuit and has performed at Second City, The Urban Womyn's Comedy Festival, The St Lawrence Centre, and Yuk Yuks comedy club. She first started doing stand-up comedy at the African Nubian Comedy Nights at Yuk Yuks. Her friends urged her to go on stage and mimic her West Indian Caribbean, mother, grandmother and her hairdresser! Audiences loved her outspoken feisty, comedic persona and after her set, she had a standing ovation. She was hooked! She became a regular at Yuk Yuks and was definitely a crowd favourite! Comedy Critic, Jon Kaplan from Now Magazine, said "this lady is one to watch!"

Trey is a former television producer for The Women's Television Network, WTN. She has produced many thought provoking series for the network, on issues such as white womyn raising black daughters, lesbian mothers coming out to

She was soon spotted by Kenny Robinson who invited her to write and star in his comedy sketch show, After Hours with Kenny Robinson, on CTV and The Comedy Network. In After Hours, she played many comedic roles and was nominated in for a Canadian Comedy Award in 2002.

Currently she stars as Novelette, the leading lady, in 'Da Kink in My Hair, voices of black womyn, theatrical production which she wrote and produced. Trey has received rave reviews and has been performing to sold-out houses in New York and across Canada. The play has received several Dora nominations including a nomination for Outstanding New Play. In 2004, she again took centre stage in the leading role for the Mirvish production of 'Da Kink in My Hair. In 'Da Kink in My Hair television series, she stars as Joy, Novelette's younger flighty sister. When not performing she is busy writing her first screenplay.

For more info http://www.treyanthony.com

Akwatu Khenti

EDUCATOR, JAMAICA-BORN Akwatu Khenti, was one of 13 persons who received human rights awards from the City of Toronto . He shares the William P. Hubbard Award for Race Relations with the Toronto Chapter of the Chinese Canadian National Council.

The awards were presented to mark United Nations Human Rights Day on December 10.

For over 25 years Khenti has been contributing to the African Canadian community through his pioneering community development work addressing the health and educational needs of marginalised Black youth. He has also promoted African Canadian Heritage in educational curriculum and school activities.

Akwatu Khenti is Director of International Health Programs at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health... Source: www.hopeconference.com... [www.hopeconference.com]

Akwatu Khenti is the Director of Education and Training Services at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, based in Toronto... Source: Arthur: Black History Month: a reflection [www.trentarthur.info]

For over 25 years, Akwatu Khenti has been contributing to the African Canadian community through his pioneering community development work addressing the health and educational needs of marginalized... Source: City of Toronto: Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards 2005 [www.toronto.ca]

At 7: 30 p.m., Akwatu Khenti will discuss “A Living History of African People” in the same room...

 Last Years Events