Word, Sound, Power: An Annual Celebration of Black Artistic Expression
Members of the York community celebrated Black artistic talent during a showcase of performances on February 07, 2024 at the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora’s annual Black History Month event, Word, Sound, Power: An Annual Celebration of Black Artistic Expression. The event celebrated the rich and diverse world of Black artistic expression and was a vibrant showcase of talent, creativity and cultural pride.
Black Youth Internship Program
Held in July of 2023 in partnership with the York Region District School Board, we proudly hosted a four-week Black Youth Internship Program. This is the first all-Black high school co-op program! This milestone was made possible by the generous donation, and support from RBC, through RBC’s Future Launch initiative. Throughout the program, our interns were led by exceptional York University student leads who served as inspiring mentors and role models, guiding our interns on their path to success.
Word, Sound, Power: An Annual Celebration of Black Artistic Expression
Held on February 08, 2023, the event was an evening of remarkable performances showcasing Black artistic expression at York University! The celebration featured musical performances including the R&B Ensemble, and Oscar Peterson Scholarship Ensemble under the direction of Mike Cado; the York University Gospel Choir under the direction of Karen Burke, as well as Spoken Word artists from High School Students to Emcees.
Word, Sound, Power: An Annual Celebration of Black Artistic Expression
Held on February 23, 2022 the event was an evening of spectacular performances showcasing Black artistic expression at York University Featuring musical performances including the R&B Ensemble under the direction of Mike Cado and the York University Gospel Choir under the direction of Karen Burke, as well as Spoken Word artists from Griots to Emcees.
Word, Sound, Power: Black Artistic Expression
Held on February 12, 2020 the event was an evening of spectacular performances showcasing Black artistic expression at York University Featuring musical performances including the R&B Ensemble under the direction of Mike Cado and the York University Gospel Choir under the direction of Karen Burke, as well as Spoken Word artists from Griots to Emcees.
Black Leadership, Partisan Politics & Social Activism
Held on February 8 & 9, 2019, the 2-day symposium brought together community leaders, activists, academics and students to discuss the limitations and possibilities of political representation and social activism for advancing Black communities. The event featured a conversation with David Austin and Amoaba Gooden facilitated by Professor Tamari Kitossa.
Everyday Activism, Critical Resistance
Held on February 15, 2018 the event featured a conversation with award-winning poet, novelist and documentarian Dionne Brand in dialogue with Toronto social activist Angela Robertson, and Montreal community organizer and author of Policing Black Lives (2017), Robyn Maynard. Together they reflected on the ways in which in their activism, people of African descent resist the daily acts of gendered, classed and sexual racialization in Canadian society.