Hosted by Dr. Sejal Patel (Director and Associate Professor, School of Early Childhood Studies), and featuring:
Karen Murray is the System Superintendent for Equity, Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression in the Toronto District School Board. She most recently was the Centrally Assigned Principal for the newly launched Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement which is the first of its kind in public education in North America. Karen leads initiatives focusing on Black Students’ Success and Excellence from K-12 and most recently was appointed by the Ontario College of Teachers to lead the development of an Additional Qualification on Anti-Black Racism. She is an international speaker and author, whose most recent publication MY BEST IDEA: Culturally Relevant Pedagogy provides educators with innovative equitable practices for classrooms and schools. In 2020, Karen was honored as one of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women.
Raquel Walker began teaching in the Toronto District School board in the upper beaches area of Markham and Eglinton at Bliss Carman Senior Public School. Growing up in Scarborough, she had a deep connection with the community and was always curious about ways to improve engagement and educational outcomes for students at the margins. Obtaining a master's degree in social justice educational leadership was instrumental in shaping her thinking and understanding about how to utilize strategies and approaches to achieve educational equity. Currently she is Coordinating Principal, for African, Black and Afro-Caribbean Student Success with the Peel District School Board and has been an educator in Peel for the past 18 years. She is the proud mother of two children and works every day to improve outcomes not only for students in the Peel region, but also her own children.
Kearie Daniel, with over 20 years of experience, has significantly influenced various sectors as a non-profit leader and communications strategist. She is the co-founder and first Executive Director of Parents of Black Children, a rapidly growing non-profit in Ontario, where she shaped the strategic vision and spearheaded notable growth for the organization. Kearie has developed supportive methodologies for Black families in the education system by utilizing her expertise in systems navigation. Kearie focuses on implementing strategic communications and non-profit structures towards tangible impact and has also led significant communications initiatives in child welfare, including leading communications and community engagement for Phase II of the One Vision One Voice initiative in the province and healthcare by developing strategies for Ontario’s Diagnostic Assessment Programs and earning awards for her leadership in communications for Ontario’s Regional Cancer Centres. Holding a Masters’ degree in Broadcast Journalism and a Bachelor’s in Mass Communications, Kearie has worked with organizations like NBC News and CBS 60 Minutes, created the platform Woke Mommy Chatter, and written for several publications on race and motherhood.
Charline Grant is the Chief Executive Officer of Parents of Black Children. Charline is a mother of three children and a wife, who led the fight to take on the York Region District School Board to defend and advocate for her children and others against systemic racism. Charline is known for her courageous efforts to improve the York Region District School Board. Her efforts led to provincial changes in education; increased accountability and transparency around finances; and equity training within the York Region District School Board. Currently a local business owner in Vaughan and a former law clerk, Charline earned a diploma from Centennial College and has her real estate license from the Ontario Real Estate Association College. She has over 20 years of legal, real estate, and management experience. Charline is a recipient of the Courage Award from the National Council of Canadian Muslims and the President’s Award from the Association of Black Law Enforcers. Charline was also a trustee candidate in the 2018 Municipal Election.
In this podcast, participants shared their perspectives on equity for Black students. The discussion was guided by the following questions:
