Education

Black Brilliance 

African, Caribbean, and Black-identifying (ACBi) students are often discouraged by the lack of representation within the education system and post-secondary institutions. The Black Brilliance Elementary Conference seeks to address this by introducing ACBi students to higher education opportunities and environments at an early age. The goal is that they see themselves present and represented in academic spaces and that the belief that they belong in the space is instilled at a younger age.

The objective of the conference is to create an affinity space for ACBi students. They will engage in motivational talks led by members of the ACBi community, and they have an opportunity to talk about their lived experiences in schools.

Key stakeholders include 300+ students from 45 schools across the Waterloo Region; the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) department of the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB); and ACBi students from Wilfrid Laurier University, who will be trained as event assistants to help facilitate the event.

Stakeholders include:

• ACBi Elementary Students – Primary beneficiaries of the conference.
• Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB)—The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) department.
• Parents and Guardians—Support system for students and potential participants in follow-up engagement.
• ACBi University Students (e.g., from Laurier)—trained as event assistants and role models.
• School Administrators and Educators—From the 45 participating schools.
• Community leaders and ACBi faculty from Laurier—speakers and mentors.

EDI commitments addressed

An objective of Laurier Strategic Action Plan: 2024-2028 is to “Attract and admit students who have the potential to succeed academically who do not have the traditional high school markers associated with university-level success.” The Black Brilliance conference supports this objective by addressing the following challenges faced by ACBi students:

• Lack of Representation: ACBi students often do not see themselves reflected in educators, curricula, or leadership roles.
• Belonging and Identity: Many ACBi students feel isolated or marginalized in predominantly white educational spaces. Implicit bias and systemic racism can affect student outcomes and self-perception.
• Early Disengagement: Without early intervention, students may disengage from academic aspirations.
• Access to Role Models: Limited exposure to successful ACBi professionals and post-secondary students.
• Cultural Disconnect: Curricula and school environments may not affirm or reflect ACBi cultures and histories.

Organizers

Teneile Warren (WRDSB)
Dr. Karen Cyrus (WLU)

Laurier's Planning Teams

Laurier's Event Assistants

Partners and Supporters of Black Brilliance:

• Office of the President
• Office of the Associate Vice President: EDI
• Laurier’s Black Faculty and Staff Caucus
• Dean of Students
• Lazaridis School of Business and Economics
• WLUFA
• Kitchener Public Library
• Faculty of Music
• Faculty of Education
• Laurier Centre for Music in the Community (LCMC)
• Office of the Dean: Faculty of Science
• Office of the Dean: Faculty of Liberal Arts
• Office of the Dean: Faculty of Human and Social Sciences
• Department of Indigenous Studies, Law, and Social Justice
• Private Donors (HAWKstarter)

Visit laurieralumni.ca/interior-giving to learn about how you can support Black Brilliance.