Resources for parents to speak with their children about anti-Black racism

Please visit Anti-Black Racism Resources for Parents, compiled by York Region District School Board’s Inclusive School and Community Services team.

Culturally Relevant Mental Health Supports

Black Youth Helpline: 1-833-294-8650 

Taibu Community Health Centre: 416-644-3536 

Tropicana Community Services: 416-439-9009 

Crisis Mental Health Supports for Students

310-COPE: 905-310-COPE (2673) or 1-855-310-COPE (2673) - Available 24/7 

KidsHelpPhone: 1-800-668-6868, text 686868 - Available 24/7 

York Hills Help Phone Line: 905-503-9561 - Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30-4:00 p.m. for children and youth (0-18 years) and their parents, caregivers or adult supporters. 

Community Agencies

To learn more about Black community agencies that provide supports in your area, please explore the hyperlinked image below:

• The Alliance of Educators for Black Students Twitter @AEBSyrdsb

• The Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN)

• Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association (MACCA)

• Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA)

• Parents of Black Children

• Vaughan African Canadian Association (VACA)

• York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities (YRAACC)

Understanding the Reality o​f the Black Student Learner

YRDSB acknowledges that communities and therefore schools and classrooms are not neutral spaces. Such forces as conflicting ideologies, competing oppressions, and a lack of understanding of sociopolitical, sociohistorical and sociocultural contexts, affect the reality of the Black students and their families and staff. This will need to be coupled with our own personal interrogation of power, privilege, and understanding of race, racism and anti-Black racism.

The following links provide examples of the experiences of Black Student Learners in education: 

•  Anti-Black racism reports:

• Toward Race Equity in Education 

• Adapting the Snap Program For Use in the African Canadian Community

• Stephen Lewis Report on Race Relations in Ontario

• Centennial College Definition of Anti-Black Racism

• Anti-Black Racism in Ontario Schools

• Ontario's Anti-Black Racism Strategy

• ETFO Action on Anti-Black Racism 

• Toronto Action Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism