Black Futures Month: Future-Focused, Forward Thinking

At UTS, we’ve celebrated Black History Month as Black Futures Month since 2022, which was an intentional decision made by students on the UTS Black Equity Committee to make the month more future-focused and forward-thinking. In doing so, we highlight our school’s commitment to understand and acknowledge the injustices of the past and the present while celebrating the contributions made by Black people and cultures to the development of Canada. The future is where we have the opportunity to make the most difference, and we recognize Black Futures Month as an invitation to empowerment – an opportunity for Black agency in actively shaping the futures of Black communities for the better. In saying this, I personally acknowledge that our school’s commitment to work for positive change is a community-wide responsibility, and not one placed solely on the shoulders of our Black staff, students and families.

The media coverage of the murders of George Floyd, Eric Garner, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others created greater societal awareness about systemic barriers and racism. Post-Covid, the impact on Black lives is greater than ever before. Society is changing, and here at UTS we are continually working to deepen our understanding and foster a culture of greater inclusion at our school, through our ongoing work on equity.  

The Black Equity Committee’s theme for Black Futures Month at our school has been resilience, empathy and joy, and it has come to life through various cultural events, service initiatives, exciting activities and culinary delights, as well as in our classroom through individual teachers.  

Throughout the month, the Black Equity Committee also highlighted the accomplishments of Black leaders, innovators and thinkers and local entrepreneurs through a poster campaign around the school, inspiring students by showing them what is possible to accomplish.

A truly inspiring event took place at UTS on the weekend. In partnership with Operation Black Vote Canada, an organization seeking to increase Black representation in government and leadership, UTS hosted the 1834 Youth Debates. Nearly 16 Black youth took part in a six-week program led by UTS Debate teachers where they learned the fundamentals of debate. Saturday’s culminating debate competition included dignitaries and other special guests who came out to support the young debaters. Karen Brown, the president of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, Ajax MPP Patrice Barnes and renowned diplomat and politician Dr. Alvin Curling, who served as an Ontario Liberal MPP for 21 years, all provided words of encouragement. Dr. Curling challenged the young participants to view his career as a politician as proof that a future in public service is within their reach. He added, “I’m no different than you are. It could be you. It could be you. It’s you that makes the difference.” 

Moments like these can be pivotal in the lives of students and may lead to a deep impact in the larger world. That is what Black Futures Month is all about, and we were so proud to be a part of this event as a fitting end to a month of celebration at UTS.

Dr. Leanne Foster
Principal, UTS

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UTS students attended a U of T Black History Month Event featuring the Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine P.C., C.M., OOnt., C.B.E., the first African-Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons. The event was called The Journey: Black Leadership Navigating Institutional Spaces, which included a film screening of her biopic, Steadfast: The Messenger and The Message.