Latest News

News Release

January 30, 2013

For Immediate Release

Dufferin-Peel Catholic schools celebrate Black History Month

School board hosts its 9th Annual Black History Month Conference

Dufferin-Peel Catholic schools will host many engaging events and activities to celebrate Black History Month, including a board wide Black History Conference on February 15 for secondary school students called, “Unity in Diversity: Out of many, we are one”.

Now in its ninth year, the conference will highlight members of the local Black community who have achieved success, fulfillment of their ambitions and who are also role models for all students. More than 350 students are expected to attend the conference which will be held at the board’s St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Learning Centre in Mississauga.

Students will hear a keynote address from news anchor Dwight Drummond, the co-host of CBC News Toronto. Born in Jamaica, Dwight came to Canada in 1976, where he grew up in Toronto’s Jane and Finch community. He spends much of his time involved in the community and working with charities. His keynote address will focus on using education to achieve your life goals and the importance of knowing African-Canadian history.

 “Students will participate in workshops, led by a diverse range of presenters, who will share their own success and motivational stories,” said Michelle Coutinho, Dufferin-Peel’s Principal of Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Education. “By learning about and celebrating the contributions of African-Canadians, and, in particular, members of our own local community, students will be inspired to develop and share the diverse talents with which they have been blessed.”  

Among the list of presenters are:

• Dr. Marc Davis - Clinical Director of Lifespan Integrated Healthcare Center
• Layth Gafoor - Principal & Managing Director, Lucentem Sports & Entertainment Law
• Dalton Higgins – music programmer, pop culture critic, author and journalist
• Qadira C. Jackson – Development Director of Black Pearls Community Services
• Spider Jones – professional boxer, journalist and motivational speaker
• Lost Lyrics – an arts-based learning community
• Anthony McLean - actor and motivational speaker
• Rachel-Lea Rickards – theatre actor, producer and playwright
• Testament (Matthew Jones) - Spoken Word Artist/Poet/Emcee/Professional Speaker
• Kibwe Thomas – professional keyboardist, singer, music producer and director

WHAT:                 Black History Conference – Unity in Diversity: Out of many, we are one

WHEN:                 Friday, February 15, 2013
                                9:15 a.m. – 1:55 p.m.

WHERE:               St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Learning Centre
                               3566 South Common Court, Mississauga