With students arriving back in classrooms, experts from 91亚色鈥檚 and beyond are available to speak to the issues impacting education this back-to-school season.

Carl James

Recognized nationally and internationally for his work in education and equity, Professor has written many books on race, education and immigration. In particular, his research looks at the Black experience in Canada and how anti-Black racism continues to be perpetuated in systems such as education and employment. James currently holds the position of Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora. Current projects include community outreach such as the Day at 91亚色 programming that helps Black high-school students see themselves in post-secondary  and the Jean Augustine Mentorship program that pairs Black students at 91亚色 with those entering the university. He also has partnerships with Black researchers across Canada that will serve to create better data on race and education. 

James is available for interviews on:

• The educational experiences of Black youth in Canada
• Race, racism and racialization in the school system
• Equity, inclusion and social justice pertaining to marginalized Canadian students
• The disproportional educational achievements of Black female and male students聽
• Generational differences in the social and schooling experiences that lead to the academic performance and educational outcomes of racialized students

Molade Osibodu

Drawing on experiences growing up in Nigeria, working as a secondary school math teacher in South Africa, and obtaining her PhD in the U.S., Faculty of Education Associate Professor 鈥檚 research examines the enduring impacts of coloniality in math education, with a focus on the lived experiences of Black youth and educators in Canada and Sub-Saharan Africa. Grounded in decolonial frameworks, Black geographies, and participatory research methodologies, her scholarship explores how mathematics curriculum, policy, and pedagogy are shaped by eurocentric and racialized structures.

Osibodu can speak to: 

• Math education broadly and the experiences of Black youth in mathematics classrooms in particular
• Critically examining the role of mathematics in society and who is deemed "naturally able" to do and be successful in mathematics
• Changes to Ontario curriculum, including new rules for financial literacy learning and why excessive testing does not necessarily lead to more learning聽

Sue Winton

The privatization of public education shows itself in a number of areas, says , 91亚色 Research Chair in Policy Analysis for Democracy and the author of Unequal Benefits: Privatization and Public Education in Canada. Privatization undermines the public school system and perpetuates inequalities, says Winton. 

Winton is available for comment on: 

• How policy plays a role in supporting or undermining public education聽
• How increasing privatization can affect kids, families, communities, and democracy
• How school fees, fundraising, school choice, and specialized programs can all contribute to the increasing encroachment of privatization

Note: Winton is away at a conference Aug 30 - Sept 9 is not available for media interviews at that time. 

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91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91亚色's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs, while at the Markham Campus, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration are built into every program. 91亚色鈥檚 new School of Medicine, the first Canadian medical school to focus on community-based primary health-care education, will welcome its first cohort in September 2028. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contacts: Emina Gamulin, 91亚色 Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

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TORONTO, Sept. 2, 2025 鈥� Experts from 91亚色鈥檚 are sharing their tips to make the transition to back-to-school a successful one for students, parents and educators and comment on broader trends in education. 

Karen Devonish-Mazzotta

Based out of Glendon Campus, as a course director and faculty and a practicum facilitator with 91亚色 and a part-time French as a Second Language (FSL) teacher/teacher-librarian with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), has a duel perspective on real-time issues facing new and practicing teachers in the largest board in Canada, particularly as they relate to FSL curriculum. 

Devonish-Mazzotta is available for interviews in English and French on: 

• FSL programming; recruitment and retention of FSL teachers across Ontario
• Resources and resourcefulness in FSL programs and the benefits of additional language learning for FSL students

• Harnessing the power of the Library Learning Commons in the TDSB
• The power of community competence in a large school board
• The importance of family engagement 

Lisa Farley

Prof. Lisa Farley鈥檚 research uses psychoanalysis in conceptualizing the meaning of childhood and education. Her book, Childhood Beyond Pathology, examines how psychoanalytic concepts can inform challenges children may experience with development, belonging, interior worlds and relationality, with a focus on debates over how children should be treated, what they might know, and who they should become. Within teacher education, Farley has explored teachers' memories of childhood and schooling as key parts of becoming a teacher. 

Farley is available to give interviews on: 

• How education is an emotional experience for students and teachers
• How teaching affects teachers 
• How teaching is shaped by early experiences of having gone to school

Carl James

Recognized nationally and internationally for his work in education and equity, Professor has written many books on race, education and immigration. In particular, his research looks at the Black experience in Canada and how anti-Black racism continues to be perpetuated in systems such as education and employment. James currently holds the position of Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora. Current projects include community outreach such as the Day at 91亚色 programming that helps Black high-school students see themselves in post-secondary, the Jean Augustine Mentorship program that pairs Black students at 91亚色 with those entering the university. He also has partnerships with Black researchers across Canada that will serve to create better data on race and education. 

James is available for interviews on:

• The lives of Black youth in Canada
• Race, racism and racialization in the school system
• Equity, inclusivity and social justice pertaining to marginalized Canadian students
• Masculinity and young Black males
• Athletic experiences and academic performance of racialized students
  

Sue Winton

The privatization of public education shows itself in a number of areas, says , 91亚色 Research Chair in Policy Analysis for Democracy and the author of Unequal Benefits: Privatization and Public Education in Canada. Privatization undermines the public school system and perpetuates inequalities, says Winton. 

Winton is available for comment on: 

• How policy plays a role in supporting or undermining public education 
• How increasing privatization can affect kids, families, communities, and democracy
• How school fees, fundraising, school choice, and specialized programs can all contribute to the increasing encroachment of privatization

-30-

About 91亚色

91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for success. 91亚色鈥檚 fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario鈥檚 Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contacts: Emina Gamulin, 91亚色 Media Relations and External Communications, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

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Now a prominent academic, 91亚色's Faculty of Education Jean Augustine Chair reflects on experiences of Black community in 1970s Toronto

It was at the now-closed Brockton High School near the new Dufferin Mall on what was then called Awde Street, where a young Carl James met with other community organizers on a September Saturday. That morning they launched the Caribbean Alliance Council (CAC) and that evening they celebrated with dinner and dance at the Soul Palace Restaurant, just north of what is now Sankofa Square.

Like other Black immigrants of his generation from Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean islands, James came to Canada in the post-1967 period after the state had removed race-based immigration restrictions.

While pursuing his education, James engaged in youth work, volunteering with organizations such as the Black Education Project. Located just north of Davenport on Bathurst, James describes the organization as 鈥渃entral鈥� to the education experiences of Black parents and students at the time. He also worked with Harriet Tubman Centre at St. Clair and Oakwood, which still operates today as the Harriet Tubman Community Centre close to Don Mills subway.

鈥淚 was at the time going through school, volunteering and working with the other volunteers 鈥� an adolescent working with younger Black adolescents,鈥� recalls James. 鈥淚 came to the work that I do through working on issues of Black life. The situation that I was observing and trying to understand with regard to Black youth informed my work.鈥�

Later, he worked in Regent Park, a neighbourhood located in Toronto鈥檚 east downtown that鈥檚 now a mix of condominiums and social housing. Back then it was exclusively a public housing project 鈥� Canada鈥檚 first and largest. Many of the youth with whom James worked saw their participation in sports as the key to their future success and were not often going into academic areas because of streaming practices in their schools. 

This inspired his early research at 91亚色. Today, James is a prominent academic who has dedicated his career to studying some of the very issues he first observed and experienced four decades earlier.

鈥淚'd been noticing that the education and schooling system had not been as helpful in educating or schooling Black immigrant students as we would have expected,鈥� recalls James. 鈥淭hat happens today; and happened then. So, I'm very interested in, well, 鈥楬ow can this change? If over and over again, we keep finding and seeing the same thing, what have we not been doing to change the situation?鈥欌��

In addition to being a professor in 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Education and an author of many books on race, education and immigration, James currently serves as the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora.

His 2017 report highlighted the systemic racism Black students face in GTA schools. This work helped to bring about an end to academic and applied streaming for Grade 9 students in Ontario, a decision that was announced in 2020.

Current include community outreach, such as the Day at 91亚色 programming that helps Black high-school students see themselves in post-secondary, the Jean Augustine Mentorship program that pairs Black students at 91亚色 with those entering the university, and Word, Sound, Power, a free annual event that takes place during Black History Month with dance, music and spoken word performances. It also includes partnerships with Black researchers across Canada that will serve to create better data on race and education, and collaborations with health science researchers looking at the health conditions and needs of Black individuals.

James is also , commenting on recent news headlines from the renaming of Dundas Square, to new rules banning the N-word from use at several school boards, diversity in the city鈥檚 emergency services, and the provincial government mandating Black history in the Ontario curriculum.

However, it is not about him, James insists, nor the research, but working in the interest of community and using advocacy work to address and bring about the wider changes needed.

鈥淚t is not about research for research鈥檚 sake, but to inform action,鈥� says James. 鈥淐ommunity is often a central feature for those who have been marginalized. Of course, I think you can鈥檛 think of someone independent of their communities. And I'm thinking of communities not only in geographic terms, but as ethnic communities, gendered communities, class communities, and how all these might be operating in individuals鈥� lives.鈥�

I'd been noticing that the education and schooling system had not been as helpful in educating or schooling Black immigrant students as we would have expected. That happens today; and happened then."

Professor Carl James, commenting on his early experiences working with youth in Regent Park

James adds that community is often a central construct of how Black youth imagine their future lives.

鈥淵ou might find them highly represented in social services, social sciences, and education because they are 鈥榞iving back鈥� to community,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hey feel an obligation to respond to the needs of the community that has supported them. So, it's understandable that Jean would think that community is central to the work that鈥檚 been done through the Chair and for the Chair to engage community.

鈥淓ssentially, the idea is for us to work with community, and invite them to do the needed education work together.鈥�

One of his current research projects looks at how individuals鈥� social capital 鈦犫�撯仩 racialized individuals in particular 鈦犫�撯仩 mediates access to employment, careers and occupational mobility once they land a job. Like much of James鈥檚 other work, the study follows research participants over a number of years, with a particular focus on periods of transition.

鈥淚'm very interested in the differences between transitioning through high school to college and/or university, or from university to college, and to work,鈥� says James. 鈥淎ll those permutations are very useful to look into in order to capture the ways in which young people are navigating life and negotiating the world around them.鈥�

The Chairship is of course named after Jean Augustine, Canada鈥檚 first Black woman Member of Parliament, who made the motion that was unanimously passed in the House of Commons in 1995 for Black History Month to be officially recognized in Canada. She later established the Chair in her name at 91亚色. James became the second Chair after the role was restructured and reimagined from the original framing of 鈥楨ducation in the New Urban Environment,鈥� which was held by . Thanks to a combination of a $1.5 million gift from the federal government and grassroots funding, the Chair is now fully endowed. (Her actual, physical chair, that she once sat in as an MP, now sits in the Dean鈥檚 Office at the Faculty of Education). 

James鈥� initial connections with Augustine go back to his early years in Toronto and their mutual involvement in community organizations such as the CAC.

Some documentation of this can be found in the Jean Augustine collection hosted through the at 91亚色鈥檚 Scott Library, such as a letter regarding the founding meeting, written and signed off by James on behalf of Augustine, then the secretary of the CAC. At that meeting, James asked the group about working with high school students and recommended a summer research project looking into the experiences of immigrant children from local communities.

James is being celebrated in two pieces of art this Black History Month 鈥� one by 91亚色 alumni Robert Small as part of the Legacy Collection, and the other by Mya Salau as part of this year鈥檚 Toronto Transit Commission鈥檚 (TTC) Black History Month campaign, Salau鈥檚 piece can be seen on an oversized mural at the 91亚色 TTC subway station, a wrap on Bus #3349 that operates on various lines deployed from the Queensway Garage, and on subways across the city.

A lot has transpired in the decades since James began his work, but it was in those early experiences with Black communities in Toronto that set him on his life path.

鈥淚 always say, suppose I never worked with those downtown youth. Would I have been able to think of the questions I have today?鈥� he reflects. 鈥淪uppose they never answered my questions, or even sat with me for half an hour to share their experiences.

鈥淪o, while I look earnestly at the people who have worked with me, and given me mentorship, I have to also remember the research participants or even those who just simply entertained my conversations and my questions to think through more of what I might want to eventually contribute to life.鈥�

James is not the only member of the 91亚色 community to be celebrated by the TTC as part of Black History Month. Honorary Doctor of Laws degree recipient Itah Sadu, is also featured in a mural at Bathurst station.

Jean Augustine's story teaches us about Canada's domestic workers鈥� scheme

Augustine had come to Canada as a domestic worker from Grenada during a time of political upheaval in her home country, with Grenada achieving independence in 1974. These early days are documented in the hosted through the Clara Thomas Archives at 91亚色鈥檚 Scott Library located at Keele Campus.

The first item in the archive is a pamphlet entitled Advice to West Indian Women Recruited for Work in Canada as Household Helps. A lot of the space in the pamphlet is devoted to advice on what behaviour is expected: Be truthful, courteous and polite at all times in your dealings with your employer and their children; unmarried women who get pregnant in their first year could be deported and may never be able to return.

鈥淭he women who have been sent to Canada in previous years have not let down West Indian womanhood and it is confidently expected that you will do the same,鈥� a passage reads.

The pamphlet also contains practical advice on life in Canada: While it is easy to get credit, it is also easy to get in trouble with it if you can鈥檛 keep up with payments; bring warm clothes, but no more than is needed as it will be cheaper to purchase winter clothes after you arrive; if your lips get chapped, try Vaseline or Camphor Ice.

There are warnings of 鈥渦seless correspondence courses,鈥� especially in nursing, that will take large sums of money, but won鈥檛 be of any use either in Canada or back home.

Canada needed more immigrants in the post WWII period when Europeans were staying home, and it was in that context that the Canadian government allowed workers from certain territories in the West Indies entry to Canada beginning in 1955, and the total lifting of race-based immigration restrictions in 1967. Caribbean domestics came to Canada to take care of other people鈥檚 children so those people could go to work, explains James. And people like Augustine who were teachers back home, not only provided domestic duties, but also the socialization of Canadian children.

鈥淏eyond simply thinking of Jean coming here and becoming a Parliamentarian, what does Jean's story also tell us about Canada? To me, it's a big or national story,鈥� reflects James.

鈥淗er story represents Canada鈥檚 relationship with the Caribbean, and Caribbean women鈥檚, and people鈥檚 contributions to the social, cultural, economic and political development of Canada. Her story is important; and there are many things we can learn from it.鈥�

Members of the 91亚色 community and public can access the Jean Augustine collection by appointment by contacting the Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections at archives@yorku.ca.

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National pan-university program backed by $1.2 million from RBC Foundation as part of RBC Future Launch

TORONTO, Oct. 5, 2021 鈥撀�91亚色 is launching聽a three-year initiative聽to enhance the representation of Black youth at universities across Canada by supporting upper-year high school students as they plan for their future such as pursuing post-secondary education or work 鈥� and aiding in the transition and retention of those who pursue university. The initiative is led by Professor Carl James, 91亚色鈥檚 Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora in the Faculty of Education. James has focused on addressing systemic barriers and racial inequities for over a decade and a recent聽聽from the RBC Foundation, as part of聽, is allowing this work to go national.

鈥淲e鈥檙e starting to see some attention to streaming 鈥� the process of placing students into academic or non-academic oriented classes based on their assumed intellectual abilities. The Ontario government鈥檚 announcement about ending academic streaming starting with the Grade 9 math curriculum this September as well as a ban on suspending young students is an okay start. However, we have a long way to go. Black students across Canada continue to report racial inequities and experience barriers in the education system,鈥� says聽, whose 2017 groundbreaking research revealed Black students are being disproportionately streamed away from academic programs and suspended at significantly higher rates than white or other racialized students.聽The report,聽, used data to show poor outcomes for Black students and that current students were experiencing worse outcomes than their parents and grandparents.

James is bringing together Kevin Hewitt, Physics Professor from Dalhousie University; Juliet Daniel, Associate Dean of Research from McMaster University; Jennifer Adams, Canada Research Chair in Creativity & STEM and Associate Professor from University of Calgary; and Annette Henry, Professor, Language and Literacy Education from University of British Columbia, who share a commitment to addressing the educational issues of Black youth to further the systemic anti-Black racism work of individual institutions, including interventions and research. The research component will build on existing Canadian census data with a longitudinal study of grade 11 and 12 students over a three-year period, informing the development of new community-based and student-support programs, and will for the first time facilitate the sharing of documentation and data across Canadian universities 鈥� allowing for geographical and contextual comparisons to be made. For example, James is particularly interested in the experience of second-and-third generation Black students and how the impact of generational status compares between Toronto and Halifax.

In 2020,聽RBC聽聽to address the inequity and systemic bias that have disadvantaged Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) individuals and youth. As part of this commitment, RBC committed to providing $50 million in focused funding through RBC Future Launch to create meaningful and transformative pathways to prosperity for 25,000 BIPOC youth by 2025.

鈥淓nsuring聽that Black students have equitable access to opportunity is critical to building strong, inclusive communities,鈥� says Mark Beckles, Vice-President, Social Impact & Innovation, RBC. 鈥淲e are working closely with our partners, including many BIPOC-serving organizations, to enable access. RBC鈥檚 support of the now national work of the Jean Augustine Chair will help to ensure that present and future generations of Black talent can reach their fullest potential.鈥�

The initiative will kick off on Oct. 6 with a national conversation hosted by 91亚色 and the RBC Student Success Initiative and Data Hub.

奥贬础罢:听Securing Black Futures: A National Partnership to Advance Youth Academic & Career Success

奥贬贰搁贰:听This event will be livestreamed via YouTube聽. Questions can be submitted in advance to聽yuevent@yorku.ca.

奥贬贰狈:听Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, at 7 p.m.

About 91亚色

91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. 91亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.聽

Media contact:聽Kayla Lewis, 91亚色 Media Relations, cell 416-455-4710,聽lewiskay@yorku.ca

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