Media Advisory
February 1, 2011
For Immediate Release
Dufferin-Peel Catholic schools celebrate Black History Month
School board hosts its Seventh Annual Black History Conference – I AM… WE ARE
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, “I AM . . . WE ARE.”
Now in its seventh 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 singer, songwriter, author and public speaker, Errol Lee, whose distinctive blend of music and entertainment provides audiences with an inspiring educational message. Lee’s multi-media, interactive concert-style presentations are known for interweaving singing and dancing to promote the importance of good character development.
“It’s really important that, 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 and one of four Committee Chairs. “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:
- Abigail Hamilton – founder and president of ResQ Youth International;
- 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 published author;
- Lindon King – author and motivational speaker;
- Nadine Williams – author, poet and entrepreneur;
- New Generation Outreach – local youth-based organization;
- Orlando Bowen - former CFL player and founder of ‘One Voice One Team’;
- Roger Belgrave - award-winning journalist, specializing in education issues;
- Scott Boogie - award-winning DJ;
- Shirley Barton - body image/body acceptance advocate and public speaker;
- Spider Jones - motivational speaker and radio personality.
WHAT: Seventh Annual Black History Conference – I AM . . . WE ARE
WHEN: Thursday, February 24, 2011 (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 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, www.dpcdsb.org. 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 86,000 students in 145 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: Julia Seeratan, Communications Officer
(905) 890-0708 ext. 24278