The Toronto District School Board’s Black Student Summer Leadership Program returns for its sixth year, empowering over 100 Black students through paid internships, mentorship, and culturally grounded leadership development at George Brown College.
A vibrant energy is pulsing through the halls of George Brown College’s St. James Campus this summer, where over 100 Black high school students are not only preparing for their futures, but boldly reshaping the narrative of leadership, education, and community care.
From July 2 to August 15, 2025, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), in partnership with George Brown College, is hosting the sixth annual Black Student Summer Leadership Program (BSSLP)—a transformative experience built around the theme: From the Village to the Vision: Leadership Born of Community.
This isn’t your average summer program. It’s a dynamic, paid leadership opportunity that taps into the deep cultural reservoirs of Black communities—celebrating intergenerational wisdom, affirming Black identity, and giving students tools to thrive in academic, professional, and personal spaces.
Building a culture of leadership, one youth at a time
At its heart, BSSLP is a love letter to the village that nurtures Black excellence. Inspired by the enduring African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” the program is built on the understanding that when Black youth are seen, supported, and celebrated, they become powerful agents of change.
Up to 140 Black students in grades 10 to 12 are participating in paid internships that blend work experience, post-secondary exploration, and Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR). The program emphasizes mentorship from Black professionals, educators, and community leaders—many of whom reflect the lived experiences of the students they support.
“Our villages are full of visionaries—and those visionaries are our youth,” says Karen Murray, System Superintendent at the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement. “BSSLP affirms that Black students don’t need to be saved—they need to be seen, supported, and celebrated.”
A college campus that feels like home
For many students, the George Brown College campus is more than a workspace this summer—it’s a space of belonging. By welcoming students into its downtown learning environment, George Brown is opening its doors to future learners and leaders while reinforcing its commitment to educational equity.
“This collaboration offers a powerful opportunity to welcome young Black leaders into our college community,” said Dr. Terry McQuaid, Executive Director of Special Projects at George Brown College.
“At GBC, we are committed to inclusive opportunities that support student success,” added Dr. Gervan Fearon, the college’s President. “By working together with the TDSB, we are investing in the future of Black youth and addressing the barriers they face within the education system.”
This approach to partnership and support is echoed by Clayton La Touche, TDSB Director of Education, who noted that programs like BSSLP demonstrate how “innovative and impactful collaborations” can lead to improved outcomes and opportunities for Black students—and indeed, all students.
A research symposium to shape the future
The program culminates in a public research symposium running from August 11 to 15, where participants will share their insights, findings, and visionary ideas for transforming education. Rooted in Youth Participatory Action Research, the symposium enables students to showcase the issues they care about—from anti-racism in education to mental health support—and propose solutions informed by both data and their lived experiences.
Educators, family members, policymakers, and community partners will be invited to attend this capstone event, which reflects the program’s broader commitment to accountability, advocacy, and student voice.
A model for systemic change rooted in community
The Black Student Summer Leadership Program is more than a summer initiative—it’s a blueprint for what education can become when Black brilliance is recognized, nurtured, and allowed to flourish. By investing in mentorship, paid experience, cultural affirmation, and community-driven research, the TDSB and George Brown College are demonstrating what is possible when institutions collaborate with the communities they serve.
What emerges is a vision that isn’t only future-facing, but grounded in legacy. A vision that recognizes the leadership already present in Black youth, waiting only for space and support to be fully realized.
As we continue to spotlight the changemakers reshaping our city, BSSLP stands out as a shining example of excellence in action. It reminds us that the future of Black leadership is not just coming—it’s already here, bold and brilliant, born of the village, and rising with the vision.
