More than 100 Black youth and allies celebrated Black excellence at a kick-off event in October designed to create opportunities to come together beyond Black History Month and Black Excellence Day.
Co-organized by the Burnaby School District and the New Westminster School District, the morning field-trip event also included students from Coquitlam and Vancouver. They gathered at a movie theatre in New West to view the documentary Handle with Care: The Legend of the Notic Streetball Crew. It looks back on the journey of local street basketball legends The Notic, an exceptional group of racially diverse teens from the suburbs of Vancouver.
The film’s use of archival VHS footage showcased the players’ impressive moves, while revealing their struggles. It explored issues of race, trauma and rejection as well as friendship, love, joy and hope. The Grade 10 to 12 students in attendance also had a chance to hear directly from members of The Notic. Rory Grace and John Mubanda attended the event and participated in a question and answer session. Students were also treated to a video address from Joey Haywood – known as The King Handles – who invited those present to participate in a complementary basketball camp.
Ninandotoo Society sponsored the gathering, and their President Kamika Williams provided the welcoming address. Opening remarks were shared by Candace Knoll, President of the Jr. Black Achievement Awards.
Scroll down to read more about celebrating culture and diversity in Burnaby Schools.
Read about awareness-building efforts, opportunities to celebrate culture and diversity, as well as anti-racism work happening in Burnaby Schools:
Learning Through Indigenous Teachings and Honouring Culture – Multiple Stories
Next Steps Coming: Action on Racism – September 2022
Anti-Racism Lead Nominated for Premier’s Award for Work in District – September 2022
Burnaby students drum for National Indigenous Peoples Day – Burnaby Now, June 2022
Burnaby to install first-ever reconciliation crosswalk – Vancouver Sun, June 2022
Students design reconciliation crosswalk in Burnaby – Global TV, June 2022
Raising Diverse Student Voices and Opportunities – May 2022
Honouring Community Traditions and Practices – May 2022
Securing Black Futures Brings High Schoolers to UBC – The Tyee, May 2022
How more B.C. schools are supporting Muslim students during Ramadan – CBC News, April 2022
Burnaby school club raises Black student voices – Burnaby Now, April 2022
Honouring and Learning About Black History – February 2022
Paving the path forward for Black history curriculum in BC – Burnaby Beacon, February 2022
Black Excellence Day, CBC TV News, January 2022
District Hosting Black Excellence Day for Thousands – January 2022
Reports of Racism in Burnaby Schools Bring Trustees to Tears – Burnaby Now, December 2021
Video of Bhangra dancing Burnaby kindergarteners goes viral-ish – Burnaby Now, November 2021
Art project to honour Indigenous culture – Burnaby Beacon, November 2021
Parents Asked for Input on Racism in Burnaby Schools – Burnaby Now, May 2021
Dismantling Racism: Invitation to Engagement Process – May 2021
Asian Heritage Month: Honouring, Celebrating and Taking Action – May 2021
Opinion: Burnaby has come together to battle anti-Asian racism – Burnaby Now, May 2021
Burnaby school board approves anti-racism engagement process – Burnaby Now, April 2021
Black History Month: Celebrating & Learning – February 2021
Supporting Black Shirt Day – January 2021
Anti-racism work at Burnaby schools starts at the top – Burnaby Now, October 2020
Continuing Our Journey: Supporting Anti-Racism – October 2020
Burnaby school district to develop anti-racism action plan – Burnaby Now, June 2020
Action on Racism: Burnaby Board of Education – June 2020
Burnaby school takes ‘reconciliaction’ with Indigenous welcome carving – Burnaby Now, November 2019
Burnaby museum works to undo erasure of local Indigenous history – Burnaby Now, November 2019
Celebrating Black History Month in Burnaby Schools – February 2019
Posted October 2022