Black Studies, Intersectional Identities, and Academic Success in Canada
Canadian Association of Sociology of Education (CASE) and the Canadian Sociological Association's Sociology of Education Research Cluster (CSA).
February 27, 2025 @ 12:00 PM Eastern Time
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Presentation 1: Towards a Black Studies in Education in Canada?
Dr. Rhonda C. George, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Guelph
Since the convergence of the disproportionate impact of the global pandemic on Black communities and the global protests of the summer of 2020 in response to police violence and killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others, Canadian social institutions–– including higher education––have been committing resources to various anti-racist efforts, including the expansion of Black Studies curricula in Canadian universities. However, the development of these efforts has varied widely in format and intellectual orientation since 2020. This presentation will explore this diversity, interrogating the benefits and limitations that this current landscape presents, while also examining future possibilities. While Black Studies in education has arguably been practiced informally in the Canadian context for decades, how does this specific moment in time present new possibilities for the field?
Presentation 2: Navigating Marginal Intersectional Identities to Achieve Educational Success for Minority Students in Ontario, Canada
Dr. Milka Nyariro, Post Doctoral Fellow, McGill University and Mr. Emmanuel Tettey, University of Education, Winneba, Winneba-Ghana
Education presents a complex landscape where intersectional factors for inequality like class, ethnic and racial identities converge, creating significant barriers to equitable educational access. This presentation explores the intricate relationship between socio-economic disparities in the Canadian setting and their profound impact on educational outcomes for youth from racialized groups. It delves into how class, ethnic and racial identities and structural inequalities intersect and affect students’ learning, leading to gaps in achievement and educational attainment. The presentation will explore how these social determinants of education exacerbate the educational divide, how innovative policy interventions and community-driven initiatives can support students from racialized groups to attain higher educational outcomes. Targeted support systems, such as after-school programs and community partnerships, will be examined as crucial components in bridging the educational gap. By analyzing case studies and research on educational intervention for racialized youth, this presentation highlights the importance of collaborative efforts among educators, policymakers, and communities to create inclusive, supportive, and sustainable educational environments for all students regardless of their socio-economic background.