The DCDSB Black Excellence newsletter for November 2026 introduces a new advisory-committee executive and outlines leadership, mentorship and post-secondary learning opportunities for Black students across Durham Catholic schools.
The Durham Catholic District School Board released the edition on November 2. Its official announcement links to a Microsoft Sway newsletter for Black and Black-identifying students and families.
New advisory-committee executive
Leland Harper is listed as chair of the 2026–27 Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee, with Charlene Mulatris as vice-chair.
The newsletter names parent area representatives Sophie Williams for Ajax; Nicole Cyrus for Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge; Linda Akinyemi for Oshawa; Terry-Lynn Razac Huggins for Pickering; and James Oritse for Whitby. Community-based organisations are also represented.
DCDSB describes the committee as a way for parents, guardians and community members to help address disadvantages and discrimination experienced by Black students, staff and families. The executive announcement follows the nominations discussed in the board’s earlier October bulletin.
Ajax students explore science and leadership
The Aspiring Black Students Led by Excellence group at Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School has several activities planned.
On November 9, students are scheduled to visit McMaster University for its Black Outreach STEM Series. A hair-oil workshop will introduce chemical-engineering and cosmetic-chemistry concepts through practical work with oils and herbs. The itinerary also includes engineering facilities and the Black Student Success Centre.
The group will welcome Commander Paul A. Smith to its November 11 Remembrance Day assembly. The newsletter identifies Smith as Deputy Commander, Atlantic Region Naval Reserve, and notes that he became the Royal Canadian Navy’s first Black ship’s captain in 2014.
A November 30 visit to the University of Toronto’s Artificial Intelligence and Mathematical Modelling Lab will introduce students to Professor Jude Kong’s work on community-focused applications of AI, data science and mathematical modelling.
Pickering and Ajax mentorship opportunities
At St. Mary Catholic Secondary School, a Black mentorship group is expected to meet approximately 60 Black Leaders of St. Mary members on November 18. The session will focus on career possibilities, leadership and personal growth.
Thirty-five group members are scheduled to visit George Brown College on November 20 to explore programmes, campus life and student supports.
Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School’s Black Excellence Student Team has a December 9 visit planned to the University of Toronto’s St. George campus. Students will take part in a campus tour and an automotive-engineering session covering vehicle design and university racing competitions.
Awards and family resources
The DCDSB Black Excellence newsletter also repeats the previously announced November 5 Black Student Excellence Awards, from 6 to 8 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Secondary School in Whitby. It links to registration for families wishing to attend.
The edition includes school recaps and scholarship resources. Its scholarship-workshop listing gives an October 28 date, which has already passed; readers should not treat that listing as an upcoming November session. Families can consult the full edition for links and contact the board through its announcement page with questions.
Sources
Featured image: original editorial illustration, not documentary photography.
