Black youth mentorship program will go ahead
School board, Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion have agreed on a ‘positive path forward’
A Black youth mentorship program that spurred a student walkout at Bernie Custis Secondary School when it has put on hold, is moving forward again.
The mentorship program led by the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion (HCCI) will go ahead this month as originally planned at Bernie Custis and also begin at Sir Allan MacNab Secondary in March, according to a joint statement from the public school board and HCCI.
“I’m happy. I’m more than happy,” said Greg Dongen, a Grade 12 student and president of the Black youth council at Bernie Custis, which organized the walkout earlier this month.
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board briefly suspended the program in early February over concerns about an HCCI report on students facing racism.
Board officials said they were concerned the report breached privacy rules, an argument rejected by HCCI.
Dongen said he was part of a productive meeting attended by the Black youth council, the executive team of HCCI and director of education Manny Figueiredo on Tuesday. That’s when he learned the program would be reinstated.
“They realize we are a voice in the community and we do have, and should have, a say,” Dongen said.
The youth council, however, wants more change. They want greater support for more programs and initiatives for Black youth, and a dedicated prayer space for Muslim students, Dongen said.
More than 200 students walked out of Bernie Custis earlier this month in protest over the suspended program, with participants stopping traffic near the King Street East school and waving signs calling for more action on antiBlack racism.
The board met with HCCI officials in a meeting mediated by the Ontario AntiRacism Directorate and agreed to “a positive path forward,” said the joint release.
The two agencies have also agreed to “strengthen communications” and an “accountability framework” for their partnership.