News Release
January 30, 2012
For Immediate Release
Dufferin-Peel Catholic schools celebrate Black History Month
School board hosts its Eighth Annual Black History Month Conference
Dufferin-Peel Catholic schools will host many engaging events and activities to celebrate Black History Month, including a large-scale Black History Conference for secondary school students called, “Ubuntu – I am what I am because of who we all are.”
Now in its eighth year, the conference will focus on members of the local Black community who have achieved success, fulfillment of their ambitions and who are also role models for all students.
Students will hear a keynote address from gospel singer and humanitarian, Diane Clemons. Clemons’ diverse interests extend beyond her music and performing. Along with husband Michael, they launched a charitable foundation, which focuses on restoring hope to the youth by partnering with members of the community. Together, their vision is to quicken academic excellence, infuse depth of character, promote health and vitality and inspire generosity in the youth.
“It’s really important, in addition to providing students with an opportunity to watch and listen to inspirational presenters, that we also give them a chance to engage in meaningful discussion,” says Les Storey, Dufferin-Peel’s Principal of Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Education. “As part of the program, students will participate in workshops, led by a diverse range of community members, who will share their own success and motivational stories.”
Among the list of community members participating are:
- Black Pearls Community Services - focuses on socio-economic and academic concerns of Black women;
- Dr. Marc Davis - clinical lead for cardiovascular physiology and cardiac rehabilitation at the William Osler Health Systems;
- Dwayne Morgan – musician, spoken word artist and event organizer;
- J. Nichole Noel - recording artist and author;
- Nadine Williams – author, poet and entrepreneur;
- Orlando Bowen - former CFL player and founder of ‘One Voice One Team’;
- Scott Boogie - award-winning DJ;
- Chris Johnson - Olympic Boxing Trainer
- Kibwe Thomas – professional musician
- Donovan Vincent – Toronto Star reporter
- Jesse Jones – marketing pioneer and motivational speaker
- Patricia Codner and Nadia Kerr – Social Workers
WHAT: Eighth Annual Black History Conference – Ubuntu
WHEN: Friday, February 17, 2012 (9:15 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.)
WHERE: St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School
2800 Erin Centre Blvd., Mississauga
In addition to the board-wide conference, numerous schools have Black History Month events and activities planned. A detailed list of school events is available on the board’s website. This will be updated throughout the month.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is one of the largest school boards in Ontario with approximately 85,000 students in 146 schools located throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Orangeville. The board is also one of the largest employers in the region with approximately 10,000 employees.
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Media Contact: Nancy Marshall, Communications Officer, 905-890-0708 ext. 24278