It is estimated that 40% of Black Youth drop out from the TDSB’s highschool system, ultimately failing to graduate. Although efforts have been made to stem the tide of these crises, there has been no appreciable decrease. The reasons for this disengagement are far and wide, from me poverty, crime, home and community environments and the lack of positive male role models. (stats/data)

In response to the high number of young men of colour underachieving in public schools, the Toronto District School Board launched the Stand Up Young Men Of Colour Conference series in 2010. On a beautiful day in April, The CPO hosted 300 young men of colour in Grades 7 and 8 (12-13 year olds) along with 50 adult guest speakers from a variety of fields, including business, medicine, sports, entertainment. Together, the young boys, from eight of Toronto’s downtown public schools, spent the day learning, sharing and growing at this very special conference organized just for them. Successful local professionals from all walks of life shared their personal stories of success and strategies for overcoming barriers to create a sense of confidence and empowerment for participants to see the long term value of schooling. The following year, The CPO hosted the second annual conference, titled The Stand Up Young Men Of Colour Conference: Changing The Colour of Success. Some of the presenters included:

The following year, The CPO hosted the second annual conference, titled, Stand Up: Changing The Colour of Success. Some of the presenters included:

Mark Beckles Vice President, Royal Bank of Canada
Marlon Reid, Vice President at TD Securities
Neil Le Grand, Trez Capital Financial Analyst
Dwayne Morgan, Spoken Word Artist
Courtney Charles, Toronto Raptors’ Basketball Operations Coordinator
Chris Spence, TDSB Director of Education
Cabral Richards, Television personality from The Marilyn Denis Show
Dwight Drummond, CBC TV news anchor

These young men represent one of the largest groups of students at risk of failing the grade 10 literacy test and graduating from high school. For students, the conference provides a very special opportunity for synthesizing their learning, to meet successful men of colour and hear directly from them about the challenges ahead and how through hard work and education they can achieve their dreams.

The success and impact of the annual Stand Up Conference cannot be underestimated. The conference has touched the lives of several hundred grade 7 and 8 boys, invigorating their desire and drive to learn, with confidence and hope of achieving a high school education. The psycho-social, and emotional impact of modeling success, is a cornerstone to the Stand Up Conference. However, there is a growing belief by all parties concerned that more can be done to sustain the success beyond the annual conference, and to groom personal capacity, teach skills and yield a greater impact in the lives of these youth. It is for this reason and more that Stand Up will be redesigned under a program continuum that engages the students at the beginning of their senior year in middle school through the winter, spring and culminating in the summer; the end of their middle school year.

Upon completion of the program, the participants will be eligible to participate with another community youth mentoring program geared for youth in High school, such as The Canadian Multicultural L.E.A.D. Organization. LEAD and other such organizations will be partnered with to ensure the fluid, continuity and transition of eligible Stand Up participants in their program.

Through this partnership with a youth mentoring organization, the TDSB is in a position to transition away from the primary partner role of delivery to that of a secondary role of facilitator of Stand Up.

For the second year in a row, The Vibe and Vegas Show are blessed and pleased to be doing live broadcasting throughout the day during the Stand Up Young Mens Conference. To know when we are live broadcasting at various times today during the Stand Up Young Mens Conference, please follow us on Twitter at @vibeandvegas.

Please feel free to email us at info@blackcanadianman.com.

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God bless, peace, be well and keep the faith,
Dr. Vibe
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