Former Initiatives

At SWO, we believe in the power of community-driven change. Our past initiatives, like "Peel off the Paint," have focused on promoting education justice, equity, and inclusion. From advocating against systemic racism in schools to amplifying marginalized voices, we’ve taken bold steps to create a fairer society for all. Explore our former initiatives to see how we’ve worked together with communities to challenge injustice and inspire transformation.

Black Excellence in Canada Online Course

In September and October 2020, SWO launched its first-ever Black History for Kids course, led by Nyathiel Wuol-Kouth and Jan Lim. This free Sunday morning program was designed to provide children with an engaging and informative introduction to Black history in Canada and America. The course celebrated Black excellence and aimed to improve young students' literacy and writing skills. Through interactive lessons and storytelling, participants learned about the significant contributions of Black Canadians and Americans, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Black culture and history. This initiative highlighted our commitment to accessible education and cultural awareness.

Starts With One’s first-ever Black History for Kids course, led by Nyathiel Wuol-Kouth and Jan Lim, was created to provide a fun, accessible, and informative introduction to Black history in Canada and America. The course aimed to celebrate Black excellence while enhancing young students’ literacy and writing skills through engaging and interactive lessons.

The program covered various topics that highlighted the contributions and achievements of Black individuals across different fields. One session focused on Black excellence in medicine, showcasing the vital role Black medical professionals have played throughout history and their ongoing impact on healthcare. Another session explored Black excellence in athletics, highlighting the achievements of Black athletes who have excelled in their sports and paved the way for future generations.

The course was designed not only to educate but also to inspire, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Black history and culture among young learners. This initiative demonstrated Starts With One’s commitment to providing accessible education and promoting cultural awareness.

Starts With One’s first-ever Black History for Kids course, led by Nyathiel Wuol-Kouth and Jan Lim, was created to provide a fun, accessible, and informative introduction to Black history in Canada and America.

The course aimed to celebrate Black excellence while enhancing young students’ literacy and writing skills through engaging and interactive lessons.

The program covered various topics that highlighted the contributions and achievements of Black individuals across different fields. One session focused on Black excellence in medicine, showcasing the vital role Black medical professionals have played throughout history and their ongoing impact on healthcare. Another session explored Black excellence in athletics, highlighting the achievements of Black athletes who have excelled in their sports and paved the way for future generations.

The course was designed not only to educate but also to inspire, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Black history and culture among young learners. This initiative demonstrated Starts With One’s commitment to providing accessible education and promoting cultural awareness.

We Stand For Education Justice in Peel

Peel Off The Paint

"Peel off the Paint" was an initiative by SWO that stood in solidarity with Advocacy Peel and Peel African Youth Advocacy to address systemic racism in the Peel District School Board (PDSB). The initiative aimed to promote education justice by highlighting the experiences of Black students and advocating for equitable representation and policies within PDSB. This followed the 2019 review commissioned by the Minister of Education, which revealed extensive anti-Black racism and other forms of discrimination in the district (Chadha, Herbert, & Richard, 2020). The review, authored by Ena Chadha, Suzanne Herbert, and Shawn Richard, gathered testimonies from over 300 individuals, unveiling stark disparities between the ethnic composition of students and teachers, discriminatory practices, and a lack of cultural education for predominantly White staff. "Peel off the Paint" sought to amplify voices of marginalized students and promote structural changes to create an inclusive and equitable educational environment for all students in Peel (Chadha et al., 2020).

"Peel off the Paint" was a significant initiative by Starts With One (SWO) aimed at addressing systemic racism in the Peel District School Board (PDSB). In solidarity with Advocacy Peel and Peel African Youth Advocacy, the initiative called for education justice and cultural inclusion within the Canadian education system. The name "Peel off the Paint" symbolized the need to strip away the layers of systemic bias and inequity ingrained in the PDSB and replace them with policies that genuinely reflect the diverse racial and cultural identities of the students.

The initiative came in response to the PDSB Anti-Black Racism Review, commissioned in November 2019 by the Ontario Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce. The review, authored by Ena Chadha, Suzanne Herbert, and Shawn Richard, exposed widespread anti-Black racism and other forms of discrimination against minority students within PDSB. The review revealed alarming statistics: while 83% of PDSB students identify as non-white, 67% of the teaching staff are white, leading to significant underrepresentation of minority teachers. Additionally, Black students were found to be disproportionately subjected to disciplinary actions, overrepresented in non-academic streams, and severely underrepresented in Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs (Chadha, Herbert, & Richard, 2020).

"Peel off the Paint" actively engaged the community by inviting students to share their personal experiences with anti-Black racism and other forms of discrimination at the PDSB. The initiative emphasized that support for equitable education is a collective effort and encouraged individuals from all ethnic backgrounds to participate. SWO facilitated dialogues, collected testimonies, and aimed to hold the PDSB accountable for its lack of action in combating systemic racism. The initiative underscored the importance of community solidarity to effect change, challenging the existing disparities and advocating for a culturally inclusive curriculum and policies that empower all students (Chadha et al., 2020).

The project also highlighted the broader implications of education justice in Canada, insisting that the fight against anti-Black racism and for an equitable society is not just a concern for the Black community but for all Canadians who value a unified, fair, and inclusive society. By advocating for concrete changes in the PDSB’s composition and policies, "Peel off the Paint" sought to establish a precedent for cultural inclusion that would benefit all Canadian youth. The initiative remains an essential reminder of the ongoing need to address systemic racism and inequity within educational institutions across Canada.

Reference: Chadha, E., Herbert, S., & Richard, S. (2020). Peel District School Board (PDSB) Anti-Black Racism Review. Ontario Ministry of Education.