February 16th, 2022
Our first Black Brilliance Day will be held on Friday, February 18 in schools that currently have a Black Students’ Association or Union (BSA/U). Black Brilliance Day is an opportunity for all Black students to stand boldly, proudly and unapologetically in their African ancestry and Black identities.
Last fall, we hosted a t-shirt design competition. WRDSB BSA/U members were invited to create a design that honoured Lincoln Alexander and reflected Black Brilliance. Sanaa Selby and Manal Yahya from Glenview Park Secondary School created the winning design.
The t-shirts, featuring Sanaa and Manal’s design, will be worn by BSA/U students and school staff on February 18, 2022, to mark Black Brilliance Day.
Black Brilliance Conference: It’s A Party w/ Aaron Francis – Vintage Black Canada
On Friday, February 18, all African, Caribbean, and Black identifying (ACBi) students and staff are invited to take part in the annual Black Brilliance Conference. This year, our virtual event will be hosted by Aaron T. Francis. Participants will hear from Francis about his Black History Project: Vintage Black Canada, and are invited to take part in a virtual Black Brilliance Party.
About Aaron T. Francis
Aaron T. Francis is a doctoral student at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, a multidisciplinary artist, and a curator. The former chair of the City of Kitchener’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, images from Aaron’s Vintage Black Canada™ initiative have been exhibited at the Art Gallery of Ontario, the University of Waterloo Art Gallery (in collaboration with CAFKA) and at the BAND Gallery, Toronto. Currently, Aaron is producing a documentary, Digital Sabbath, about his Juno award-winning uncle, Kitchener-Waterloo’s own Errol Starr.
Students who are interested in participating in Black Brilliance Day or the Black Brilliance Conference should contact their BSU/A staff coordinator. If your school does not have a BSU/A, please contact a staff member to support you in this request.
Community Events
Looking for a way to learn more or get involved? Check out the following community events:
- Black Culture Celebration 2022 | Bring on the Sunshine (February 19 to 21)
- 85 Queen: An Evening with Lawrence Hill | The Congress of Black Women (February 24 at 7 pm)
- Anansi and Di Snowstorm | Waterloo Public Library (February 26 at 10:00 am)