Over 100 black girls attend Inaugural Empower Her Roots Conference

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Black girl magic filled Durham District School Board’s Education Centre this past Friday for the Empower Her Roots Conference. Approximately 140 unique and giddy girls, grades six to eight from schools in Ajax and Pickering attended the first-ever event.

DDSB is responsible for public education in the rural settings of Uxbridge, Brock and Scugog Townships and the urban settings of Ajax, Whitby, Pickering, and Oshawa. Kimberly Brathwaite, Communications Officer of Durham District School Board, explains the importance of young women going on and influencing others in their community. “We wanted to make an impact that they could also share with their peers and others they know,” said Brathwaite.

The Empower Her Roots Conference strives to enhance the well-being and success of these young girls in their school and community. The conference provided them with tools and ideas that they can apply in their everyday lives. The girls were also able to connect to their roots enabling many of them to visualize their future success.

The day started with an opening speech from the Chair of the Board, Michael Barrett, Trustee Patrice Barnes, and a video message from Director of Education, Lisa Millar. Michael Barrett is a strong advocate of community representation; and believes in the community having a voice, and strives to have equity for all communities. Barrett has been a strong advocate for diversity and often speaks at conferences around the Greater Toronto Area. Lisa Millar has worked on reports that focus on: inclusion, curriculum modification, progressive discipline, character education and recently the impact of poverty on school success, and a blueprint for addressing poverty in Ontario schools.

Throughout the conference, the girls heard from inspiring black professional women from the GTA, including: a doctor, lawyer, police officers, and an Olympian. They spoke on topics ranging from: body image to shadism, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), mental health and self-esteem.

This was important for the girls to witness, as there is an underrepresentation of black females in every work industry. The speakers showed the girls that no matter what they look like, they could succeed in any work environment that they want to be in. Empower Her has proven itself to be a necessity for some of these young girls; it promotes self-esteem in the girls through racial and cultural connections. The lives of black girls in Canada are noticeably absent from literature. Workshops and listening to guest speakers at conferences like Empower Her reminds black girls in the community that they are in control of being the author of their own stories.

The tremendous success of the event has shown promise for growth in other parts of the Greater Toronto Area. They desire to empower, uplift and give a voice to future female leaders so they can see the importance of setting high goals to achieve their full potential. With the promise of more to come, Brathwaite remains resolute in promoting and conducting more events like this one.

“All of the attendees left with smiles on their faces and ready to lead,” say’s Brathwaite.

That is truly all we can ask for. Thank you Durham District School Board for going above and beyond for the community.