Partnership with TDSB’s Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement supports educational outcomes and opportunities for Black youth
Toronto, Ontario, Canada – TVO Media Education Group is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the 2022 Black Student Summer Leadership Program (BSSLP), an initiative led by the Toronto District School Board’s Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement (CESBA). The program connects students who self-identify as African, Afro-Caribbean and/or Black with organizations who provide experiential learning opportunities.
From July 11 to August 12, 2022, TVO welcomed six TDSB students for five weeks of workshops, hands-on assignments, mentorships and networking.
“This program represents a meaningful and tangible step towards addressing some of the barriers to accessing opportunities for Black students and their success,” says Jeffrey L. Orridge, CEO of TVO. “By inviting these promising future leaders into TVO‘s diverse workplace environment and connecting them with dedicated mentors, we’re facilitating crucial connections and expanding networks that can inspire and support the first steps these students take in their professional lives.”
The 2022 BSSLP students at TVO included Abubakar Ali, Angelika Bell, Celia Suarez, Cyan Mathlin, Kiara Brown and Shaphir Harvey. All are enrolled at Toronto District School Board secondary schools and applied through TDSB’s Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement. Students regularly met with TVO mentors from across the organization: Maydge Titus (Curriculum Specialist), Winnie Ishimwe (Administrative Services Officer), Masaaba Mwambu (Media Infrastructure Specialist), Oge Obichie (Scrum Master), Lina Cheng (Learning & Development Business Partner) and Ajuha Antoine (Learning & Development Business Partner).
“This mentorship program is key to helping Black students achieve success,” says TVO mentor Maydge Titus. “I believe that they need someone to cheer them on, to be a support, to be an advisor that gives them valuable feedback, guidance and perspective. Additionally, this program will help them build relationships so they can feel strong, reassured and confident within themselves.”
Throughout the five-week experience, all six students were able to learn about current and emerging career pathways, as well as the applicability of a range of classroom learning in a modern workplace environment. TVO’s unique position at the intersection of education, media and technology makes it possible for BSSLP students to discover a variety of exciting professional disciplines.
Learn more about TVO’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion at TVO.me.
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About the Black Student Summer Leadership Program (BSSLP)
In the Black Student Summer Leadership Program (BSSLP), staff from the TDSB collaborate with public, private and not-for-profit sector organizations to match self-identifying Black TDSB students with experiential learning opportunities. This program will support students in developing their social and professional networks, transferable skills and in the long-term increase the visibility of individuals identifying as Black in careers in which they may be underrepresented. Through this program, participating organizations provide one-of-a-kind learning and employment experiences to secondary school students and introduce them to a wide variety of professional pathways. Students engaged in this program are paid for their contributions.
For more information contact Kai Gordon, Graduation Coach for Black Students, kai.gordon@tdsb.on.ca.
Learn more about the TDSB’s Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement here.
About TVO Media Education Group
TVO Media Education Group inspires learning that changes lives and enriches communities. Founded in 1970, we are a globally recognized digital learning organization that engages Ontarians of all ages with inclusive experiences and diverse perspectives. Through video, audio, games, courses, newsletters and articles, we’re investing in the transformative potential of education for everyone. Funded primarily by the Province of Ontario, TVO is a registered charity supported by thousands of sponsors and donors. For more information, visit TVO.me, TVO.org and TVOkids.com.
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Media:
Julia Vrabec
Vice-President, People & Culture
TVO
jvrabec@tvo.org